On June 11th, SUES welcomed a delegation from the University of York, including Professor Andy Tyrrell, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chair of Digital Electronics, and Professor Stephen Smith, Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology. The visitors delivered a series of academic lectures on robotics and artificial intelligence to SUES faculty and students. Vice President Xia Chunming hosted the delegation along with representatives from the International Office, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and School of Air Transportation（School of Flying）.
Xia Chunming extended a warm welcome to the delegation and provided an overview of SUES’ recent achievements and development plans in robotics, intelligent manufacturing, and interdisciplinary medical engineering. He emphasized that AI and robotics are profoundly reshaping society and industry, and international collaboration is crucial for driving scientific innovation. He expressed hope for deeper exchanges with the University of York to leverage complementary strengths and achieve breakthroughs together.
Stephen Smith expressed gratitude for SUES' warm hospitality and shared his enthusiasm for future collaboration in artificial intelligence and robotics. He anticipated that jointly establishing international laboratories and launching talent co-cultivation programs would deepen bilateral engagement, creating more opportunities for SUES faculty and students to engage in exchange programs and joint research initiatives in the UK.
The visiting professors from the University of York delivered a series of academic presentations to SUES faculty and students: Professor Andy Tyrrell presented his groundbreaking research on Autonomous Robot Evolution: Cradle to Grave, detailing innovative mechanisms for robotic autonomous evolution throughout the entire lifecycle - from design and manufacturing to testing and continuous development. Professor Stephen Smith, Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, first introduced his department's research profile before delivering a lecture titled A Better Way to Monitor People with Parkinson's Using 'White Box' AI. His presentation highlighted the exceptional transparency and precision of this explainable AI system in monitoring Parkinson's disease symptoms and evaluating treatment efficacy, emphasizing its significant clinical applications. Professor Hadi El Daou shared his team's latest findings in Robotic Joint Testing for Surgical Applications: Development and Experimental Protocols, providing valuable insights into performance evaluation methodologies for surgical robotic joints and their implications for medical device safety standards. Professor Jihong Zhu focused on practical applications in her presentation Robots for Caregiving, showcasing innovative robotic solutions for elderly care and assisted living scenarios that are transforming healthcare delivery. The presentations sparked vibrant discussions between SUES scholars and the visitors on topics including intelligent rehabilitation and evolutionary algorithms.
During the visit, the delegation toured laboratories at SUES' School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and School of Air Transportation and School of Flying. They gained in-depth understanding of research achievements of SUES in intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and aircraft simulation testing environments. The two universities will deepen collaboration in medical-engineering interdisciplinary research, jointly establish international joint laboratories, and launch talent co-cultivation programs. These initiatives will facilitate more faculty and student exchanges and research partnerships, creating significant momentum for talent development, medical research transformation, and innovation-driven growth.