On January 5, at the invitation of the School of Mechanical Engineering of our university, Professor Li Shutao, a senior engineering and manufacturing expert from Daimler-Benz Group Germany, gave a report titled "Application of Digital Factories and Intelligent Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry" in the No.1 Lecture Hall of the Conference Center. The report meeting was presided over by Professor Zhang Zhongqiang, Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering. Wu Yi, Deputy Director of the University Publicity Department, Zhang Liming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Mechanical Engineering, and more than 100 teachers and students attended the meeting.

Professor Li Shutao introduced the development history of automobiles and the milestones of each stage, and gave a detailed introduction to the application of digital manufacturing in the automotive industry through practical cases. With the rapid development of science and technology, the automotive industry is actively embracing Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. Through the application of a series of advanced technologies, it has realized efficient, intelligent and personalized production. Professor Li Shutao introduced technologies such as digital factories, manufacturing information systems, automatic control and automation technology, digital twin and virtual commissioning technology, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analysis, enabling the participating teachers and students to understand that more efficient, intelligent and personalized production models will bring unprecedented changes to the automotive industry.

After the report meeting, Professor Li Shutao had a warm exchange and discussion with teachers and students. As an outstanding alumnus of our university, Professor Li Shutao shared with everyone his academic story, life experience at Jiangsu University, and his journey of continuous exploration and breakthrough in scientific research after graduation. He recalled affectionately that during his time at Jiangsu University, he not only gained solid professional knowledge, but more importantly, learned how to face challenges and uphold the spirit of perseverance. All these have become precious treasures in his life. The discussion atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Many students said that Professor Li Shutao's earnest teachings and inspirational stories were like a beacon, illuminating their way forward and inspiring their determination to constantly pursue excellence, give back to the alma mater in the future and contribute to society.

Li Shutao, Professor, Doctor of Engineering, Chairman of the China-Germany Advanced Manufacturing and Informatization Association, and Chief Expert of Intelligent Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 at Daimler-Benz Group Germany. He has won the First Prize of National Scientific Research Achievements from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, and the Outstanding Researcher Award from the Karlsruhe German National Research Center of the Helmholtz Association of Germany. For more than 30 years, he has been deeply engaged in the research and management work in fields such as digital factories, manufacturing execution information systems, computer-integrated design and manufacturing systems, IoT, automatic control, digital intelligent manufacturing and Industry 4.0.