General Science launches AI lab with research partners

Wuxi, China – Chinese tire maker General Science has formed a joint artificial intelligence laboratory with two Chinese research organisations to accelerate the use of AI across its operations.

The Jiangsu-based tire manufacturer signed a strategic cooperation agreement 23 June with the Nanjing Institute of Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Nanjing Fangcun Zhiwei Technology to establish the ‘general artificial intelligence application innovation laboratory.’

The partners said the laboratory will focus on developing 'large-scale AI models' for the tire industry, ‘edge intelligence’ and ‘intelligent decision-making’ technologies, while also working on industry standards, ecosystem development and talent training.

General Science said the initiative forms part of its wider AI strategy, with applications spanning research and development, procurement, manufacturing, safety and marketing.

At the signing ceremony, chairman Jia Guorong said intelligent transformation remains "the company's core strategic direction" and described the collaboration as "a key step in improving our AI innovation ecosystem."

Jia said he hoped the three organisations would "give full play to their respective strengths", tackle common technical challenges facing the industry.

This, he said, will accelerate General Science’s plans to achieve both "lighthouse factory" and "leading factory" certification during China's upcoming 15th five-year plan period.

According to General Science, Nanjing Fangcun Zhiwei is “a national-level specialised and innovative little giant enterprise" that possesses “full-stack self-developed capabilities encompassing AI chips, platforms, and algorithms.”

The partner, said the tire maker, has also accumulated “rich experience in the industrialisation of lightweight AI and edge computing.”