Joint research and development center between Southeast University and Nantong Institute of Technology is launched in Nantong on Sept 16. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Southeast University and Nantong Institute of Technology, both higher institutions of education in East China's Jiangsu province, launched the joint research and development center for low-altitude industrial innovation in complex coastal environments in Nantong on Sept 16.

The low-altitude economy is a national strategic emerging industry and one of the key industries in Jiangsu. The new R&D center aims to leverage the unique characteristics of complex coastal environments, focusing on three typical scenarios of coastal wind farms, riverine airspace, and high-salinity and high-humidity conditions.

The center will prioritize overcoming key technical challenges such as the environmental adaptability of low-altitude equipment and complex airspace perception and control. It aims to produce independently developed technologies to fill the technology application gaps in complex coastal environments and support Nantong in accelerating the development of a low-altitude economy innovation hub in the Yangtze River Delta region.

During the launch event, the two universities discussed the center's construction plans, emphasizing the need to focus on key research areas such as the weather resistance of low-altitude equipment, coastal airspace safety, and integrated sea-air inspection.

The collaboration will deepen the integration of industry, academia, and research, actively conduct major projects, and facilitate technology transfer and commercialization and promote talent development in the low-altitude sector.