Tech to play big role at horticultural expo in Sichuan

The upcoming International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu will introduce a wide range of advanced technologies and equipment to provide visitors with a high-tech and immersive experience, local officials said.

The 186-day event, scheduled to kick off on Friday in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, will showcase the diverse gardening cultures of cities around the world at 113 exhibition parks and six core pavilions in the main venue.

Chen Gang, deputy director of Chengdu's science and technology bureau, said innovative achievements in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital twinning and new display technologies will be exhibited at the event.

"By applying Chengdu's technological achievements at the exhibition, we hope to enhance its technological atmosphere and offer visitors a more immersive experience," he said.

Among the high-tech products to be used in the main venue are a mosquito-killing machine, a high-pressure water mist cooling system and an intelligent robot named "Rongbao" that can deliver emergency medical kits and provide navigation and translation services.

The mosquito-killing machine, developed by Green Carbon Future (Sichuan) Technology Co, features the world's first respiratory mosquito-catching technology. It functions well in both closed and flowing air spaces and boasts a catch rate of 95 percent, said Yan Wenming, general manager of the company.

Yan said it uses a new material that mimics human respiration to capture carbon dioxide in the air and enrich it to a concentration similar to that exhaled by humans to attract mosquitoes to the trap. The mosquitoes are then drawn into a collection box and dehydrated to death by an air circulation device.

"Compared with traditional mosquito control methods, it has the advantages of being pollution-free, low-carbon and energy-efficient," he said.

The high-pressure water mist cooling system, developed by Chengdu Hailite Technology Co, has a significant cooling effect in crowded areas such as ticket checkpoints and waiting areas, said Zhao Yongshuai, manager of the company.

He said the system was used in multiple venues during last year's Chengdu FISU World University Games, and monitoring showed that it can lower temperatures by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, providing a comfortable atmosphere for participants.

Visitors can also try out the AI-powered virtual cycling system at the Tianjin Garden in the main venue and immerse themselves in virtual scenery while exercising. They can also visit a metaverse garden to tour a virtual planet created by audio, visual and digital technologies.

Chen, along with executives from technology companies in Chengdu, said the expo will be a global stage to promote their products and achievements.

Zhao said:"Thanks to the Chengdu University Games, our products have entered the markets of several provinces and cities. We hope the expo will help us occupy more markets in China and even the world."