International attendees at the launch of the 4th Pazhou Algorithm Competition. (Photo provided to GDToday)
On April 28, teams of drones and robots collaborated to address a real-world AI challenge at Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangzhou, the capital of South China's Guangdong Province, as the 4th Pazhou Algorithm Competition officially commenced.
The "Air-Ground" Integrated Collaboration AI Competition, the first event of this year's competition, transformed 16,000 square meters of natural wetland into a live testbed. Participants were tasked with designing algorithms that enable drones and ground robots to coordinate in tracking and approaching a moving target measuring 30 centimeters, while maintaining a precision margin of no more than five centimeters.
The competition evaluated real-time sensing, path planning, and collaboration between machines equipped with visual perception systems and millimeter-wave radar. Teams from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and China Telecom's Guangzhou branch secured first and second places, respectively.
The Pazhou Algorithm Competition is hosted in Pazhou, the core area of Guangzhou's pilot zone for artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Since its inception in 2022, the competition has rapidly gained prominence, being described by some as the Canton Fair of artificial intelligence due to its extensive participation, technological depth, and emphasis on real-world applications.
This year, the competition features five main tracks: the "Air-Ground" Integrated Collaboration AI Competition, the Large Model Algorithm Optimization Competition, the AI Innovation Application Competition, the "AI for All" Competition, and an International AI Competition. These tracks cover areas such as large-model algorithms, consumer internet, smart transportation, network and data security, intelligent manufacturing, and emerging industries. Organizers are encouraging local teams to compete internationally while attracting foreign participants to China.
In addition to prizes, winning teams will receive support packages that include million-yuan computing and data vouchers, incubation services, project showcases, financial consulting, and assistance with securing public funding and startup loans.
As global demand for AI innovation intensifies, Guangzhou aims to establish Pazhou as a key node in the international AI ecosystem, linking new technological breakthroughs with opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi
Correspondent | Zhong Yichong
Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
