Challenges

Traditional manual inspection has problems such as low efficiency, incomplete coverage, and high safety hazards in large-scale and complex enclosed spaces (such as large factories and underground pipelines). In particular, it is difficult to detect blind spots such as the back and top of equipment. Manual operation is easily interfered by the environment, and the accuracy of data is insufficient. In addition, there is a lack of standardized detection technologies in cross-border industrial scenarios, and the technical capabilities of a single country are limited.
This project aims to solve the problem of multi-dimensional inspection and improve the efficiency and safety of inspection by developing an intelligent unmanned inspection system and integrating drones, flexible robotic arms, and an artificial intelligence platform. Through joint research and development between China and Thailand, it specifically addresses the equipment inspection needs in the high-temperature and high-humidity environment of Southeast Asia, and outputs standardized intelligent inspection solutions to assist in the industrial upgrading of the ASEAN region.

Toward a Solution

This project systematically promotes the localization adaptation and industrial application of intelligent unmanned inspection technology by establishing a China-Thailand Joint R&D Center for Intelligent Detection (Overseas R&D Platform), directly addressing challenges such as low industrial inspection efficiency, inconsistent standards, and barriers to cross-border technology transfer in Southeast Asia. With Prince of Songkla University in Thailand as the core node, the platform collaborates with Chinese universities and enterprises and focuses on three core tasks.
First, it adapts technologies to specific scenarios. In response to the high-temperature and high-humidity environment and complex enclosed spaces in Southeast Asia, it optimizes the control algorithms of robotic arms (such as selecting anti-corrosion materials and improving the force sensing accuracy under hot and humid working conditions), develops a customized path planning system for drone inspections, and improves the failure recognition rate of equipment in scenarios such as intelligent factories in Southeast Asia.
Second, it outputs localized standards. It jointly drafts the technical specification (draft) for intelligent detection in enclosed spaces, incorporates the project’s technologies into regional standards, and promotes the coordination of inspection processes among China, Thailand, and other countries.
Third, it focuses on industrial incubation and talent cultivation. It establishes a technology transfer base in Thailand, cooperates with local enterprises to set up an assembly line for intelligent inspection equipment, and trains application engineers for the ASEAN region.
To enhance replicability, the project adopts a modular technology package design. The intelligent decision-making platform supports multi-language interfaces, including English, Thai, and Vietnamese, and can quickly adapt to industrial specifications of various countries. For regions with weak infrastructure, it launches a lightweight combination solution of “drone + portable robotic arm” to reduce deployment costs. At the same time, it plans to replicate branches of the R&D center in Vietnam and Malaysia, building a South-South cooperation network with “one platform and multiple nodes” to strengthen regional linkage.
In terms of industrial implementation, the project intends to cooperate with Thai enterprises through Prince of Songkla University to establish an assembly line for intelligent equipment in a Thai industrial park and plans to sell inspection equipment in the ASEAN region by 2027. It will establish an annual technical summit mechanism and launch a three-in-one promotion model of “technology-standard-market”, meeting the needs of multiple scenarios such as energy and transportation through modular design.
It will simultaneously involve multiple regions to form a cross-border technology collaboration network and lower the threshold for cross-border technology transfer. It will explore the model of “technology equity participation + joint incubation” with ASEAN universities. Combining the lightweight strategy and localized language support, it will activate the intelligent detection market in regions with weak infrastructure and promote the transformation of South-South cooperation from single technology output to systematic ecological co-construction.