​Qingdao FTZ now home to three 'lighthouse factories'

The Haier Qingdao Washing Machine Interconnected Factory utilizes advanced technologies. [Photo/WeChat ID: qingdaozimao]

The Haier Qingdao Washing Machine Interconnected Factory became the third "lighthouse factory" in the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Qingdao FTZ). It was selected as the world's first 5.5G application demonstration lighthouse factory by the World Economic Forum on Dec 14.

The "lighthouse factory" represents the pinnacle of global intelligent manufacturing and digitization. There are currently 153 "lighthouse factories" worldwide, with 62 of them located in China since the first selection in 2018.

With the addition of the new lighthouse factory, the Qingdao FTZ is now home to three such factories, including the Haier Qingdao Central Air Conditioning Interconnected Factory (approved in 2018) and the Haier Qingdao Refrigerator Interconnected Factory (approved in 2022). These factories make up a significant portion of the city's and province's total "lighthouse factories".

The Haier Qingdao Washing Machine Interconnected Factory utilizes advanced technologies like 5.5G, advanced algorithms, and lightweight digital twins. It has implemented 136 Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) use cases, reducing costs significantly, improving efficiency, and increasing customer satisfaction.

The Qingdao FTZ focuses on technological innovation in the smart home appliance industry, utilizing 5G+ industrial internet technology to create a fully connected industrial park. It has been recognized as a national-level pilot demonstration area for the industrial internet.

The zone aims to revitalize the real economy and develop advanced manufacturing industries, prioritizing integrated circuits, genetic technology, and smart home appliances, and become a hub for advanced manufacturing and exporting system solutions.

The Haier Qingdao Washing Machine Interconnected Factory is selected as the world's first 5.5G application demonstration lighthouse factory. [Photo/WeChat ID: qingdaozimao]