On the afternoon of July 6, international participants in the 2026 Discover at HUST-Green Energy for a Zero-Carbon Future Summer School visited the Xiaomi Smart Home Appliance Factory for an enterprise tour and university-enterprise exchange activity. Guided through the site, the participants learned about the construction of the smart factory, the integration of R&D, manufacturing and services, and industrial innovation in smart home appliances. They gained first-hand insight into the innovative momentum of Chinese enterprises in smart manufacturing.

At the beginning of the activity, the guide introduced the development philosophy and overall layout of Xiaomi’s smart factory to the participants with reference to the enterprise exhibition. Standing before the large screen display, the participants listened attentively to the introduction on the coordinated development of R&D, manufacturing and services. They learned how the company improves production efficiency and user experience through digital management, intelligent workflows and systematic services. For participants from various countries and universities, this session not only demonstrated the operational landscape of modern manufacturing, but also helped them understand the practical link between scientific and technological innovation and green development from an industrial practice perspective.

In the product exhibition area, the guide illustrated the design concepts, application scenarios and user experience of relevant products by showcasing smart home appliances and smart mobility solutions. While observing the exhibits in detail, participants exchanged views on interconnected smart terminals, iterative product upgrades and the application prospects of relevant technologies. Thanks to the on-site demonstration and guided tour, they gained a more concrete understanding of how smart products evolve from R&D and design into real-life applications.

The guide introduces the exhibits of smart home appliances to the participants. 

Participants gain a close-up look at the application scenarios of smart products.

During the visit, participants also held small discussions focusing on product details, user experience and application scenarios. Drawing on their academic backgrounds and life experiences, they raised questions. Through this relaxed interaction, they gained deeper insights into the connection between smart home appliances and smart living, and witnessed how the enterprise translates technological innovation into tangible user-centric solutions via real-world products.

Participants exchange views on product details and application scenarios.

Upon the conclusion of the visit, the event moved to the university-enterprise interactive session. Enterprise representatives delivered a further introduction to Xiaomi’s business layout, product ecosystem and development highlights. Covering business segments ranging from smartphones, IoT and consumer lifestyle products to smart home appliances and smart electric vehicles, the abundant case presentations offered participants a more intuitive understanding of the company’s diversified innovation pathways. 

Enterprise representatives present Xiaomi’s business layout and development highlights.

During the interactive session, Chinese and international faculty and students engaged in lively discussions on topics including corporate innovation models, smart-manufacturing practices and youth development. Drawing on local industrial experience and their own expertise, international participants held face-to-face exchanges with enterprise representatives. The interaction of multicultural and interdisciplinary perspectives enabled overseas students to gain in-depth insights into the development practices of Chinese enterprises in technology R&D, market deployment and team collaboration.

Chinese and international faculty and students raise questions during the university-enterprise exchange session.

As a key corporate-practice component of this summer school, the visit to the Xiaomi Smart Home Appliance Factory integrated classroom learning, industrial observation and international exchange. During the tour, participants gained first-hand access to a Chinese smart-manufacturing enterprise and observed concrete examples of scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading against the backdrop of green energy. The interactive discussions also deepened their understanding of Chinese corporate culture and the innovation ecosystem. This activity broadened participants’industrial perspectives for subsequent coursework and project practice, and further promoted communication among Chinese and overseas young people through academic study, practical exploration and mutual cultural learning.

Participants take a group photo in front of the Xiaomi logo.