From June 9th to June 11th, HFI students and teachers embarked on an extraordinary educational journey, visiting three titans of technological innovation: ZEISS's optical manufacturing base, GAC Aion's automotive research center, and China Unicom's AIGC Lab. Each day was a brand-new experience for students and faculty to learn about the latest technologies.

On day 1, we visited ZEISS.

ZEISS is a company devoted to the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, focusing on biomedical research and medical technology. It is also well-known as a leading manufacturer of eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, and binoculars.  

Once we stepped into ZEISS’s guest center, we couldn’t help but admire how clean it was---everything from the floor to the machinery was spotless, which was surely a reflection of ZEISS’s commitment towards precision. First, we learned about ZEISS’s rich heritage. We received a thorough education on the company’s founder, Carl Zeiss, along with his associate Ernst Abbe, and the earlier stages of the company’s history.

ZEISS highly values the precision of its products, which is how the company’s inventions aided many groundbreaking discoveries. We were amazed to find out that it was under ZEISS’s microscopes that Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin, and Charles Darwin even specifically requested ZEISS’s instruments for Universität Jena’s scientific research. Next, students and teachers were introduced to ZEISS’s latest technological products, including sunglasses, telescopes, and microscopes.

After a short break, we took a trip to ZEISS ’s factory. The air inside had a confidential feeling, and everything was surprisingly clean. Above us, an intricate network of conveyor belts transported products in all directions; below us, technicians monitored the automated systems, dividing them into either standard or customized production streams. What really blew us away was ZEISS's cutting-edge automated production system-it wasbased on real-time demand, boosting efficiency for its custom-made products. We also learned how ZEISS devoted itself to environmental protection: ZEISS developed advanced material recovery techniques that could break down discarded lenses and frames for recycling, saving costs and eliminating tons of waste.

(HFI students and faculty testing ZEISS products)

This eye-opening visit not only gave us access to cutting-edge scientific products, but also showed us the responsibilities tech companies carry towards their customers and to environmental sustainability.

Day 2: GAC Aion & Research Center

GAC Aion & Research Center is the innovation hub of Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), a company specializing in cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving technology, and next-generation mobility solutions, combining advanced manufacturing with forward-thinking research and design.

On June 10th, HFI students and faculty visited GAC Aion & GAC Research Center, a Chinese company dedicated to car manufacturing. Upon arriving at the front hall, students were greeted with an impressive assembly of cars of all varieties: from sleek luxury sedans to rugged SUVs, and finally to the coolest vehicle yet: a vibrant orange race car with dramatic butterfly doors that captured everyone's attention. We all had the chance to get in and interact with the AI assistant in GAC cars, and some students even activated the 180-degree seat recliner.

Next, the guide took us on a tour of GAC’s assembly workshop. The workshop hummed with activity as robotic arms whirred into action, lifting car doors, windows, and other components and fitting them into place. At the GAC Research Center, engineers unveiled their latest breakthroughs in autonomous driving technology, next-generation new energy vehicle batteries, and intelligent cockpit interfaces. We also saw an entire wall displaying GAC’s patented innovations. There were easily hundreds of them, a testament to their engineering prowess.  

Day 3: China Unicom’s AIGC Lab

China Unicom’s AIGC Lab is a cutting-edge research and innovation hub focused on AI-Generated Content (AIGC) and immersive digital technologies. Students and faculty had a fun time testing the following technological products China Unicom offered:

• AIGC (AI-Generated Content) platforms that transformed simple text prompts into stunning visual artworks and coherent writing
• XR (Extended Reality) environments that seamlessly blend physical and digital spaces
• 3D avatar generation systems capable of creating lifelike digital humans in mere seconds
• The mesmerizing "Time Gate VR" experience that transported users across different historical periods
• Professional-grade 3D audio studios that created fully immersive soundscapes
• Virtual production stages combining optical motion capture with real-time rendering

The highlight for many was strapping on VR headsets to experience films in ways that traditional theaters could never match. We had fun walking in a large room wearing headsets that presented AI-generated cartoon movies. We also got the opportunity to watch cartoons created by artificial intelligence, and used AI drawing apps to create pictures based on our instructions. Some students even generated pictures of each other in ancient Chinese Hanfu clothing or doing crazy stunts, and we all had a good laugh. These experiences didn't just demonstrate new technologies - they revealed how artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming creative expression and human interaction.  

(AI-generated person with the face of one of HFI’s teachers😊)

This three-part journey through precision optics manufacturing, smart mobility, and digital creativity showcased how industrial innovations shape our world. We give special gratitude to ZEISS, GAC, and China Unicom for opening their doors and inspiring HFI's future innovators. The visits were not only a way to unwind after the End of Semester exams, but also an eye-opening experience that linked classroom theories to real-world technological breakthroughs!

Writer: Duncan Zhang

Editor: Emily Tang