In the ever–evolving realm of business, industries are witnessing the emergence of groundbreaking technologies that are reshaping the paradigms. Amidst the rising tide, All is capturing the attention of industries, with countless breakthroughs and innovation.
As a pioneer and leader of Industrial Al and robotics, Dr. Dapeng Liu, the founder and CEO of Weiyun AI & Robotics Group has already practiced and demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of Industrial Al in the medical industry to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and precision by the deep technology integration with Al, robotics, application scenarios and service network.
The CEO Views is pleased to recognize Dr. Dapeng Liu in the edition “CEO’s To Watch 2023,” for spearheading innovation and propelling the field forward with significant milestones. We interacted with him to gain better insights into his entrepreneurial journey.
CEO Views: What was your initial thought while taking up entrepreneurship? Please take us through your journey as an entrepreneur.
Dr. Dapeng Liu: From my perspective, I perpetually harbor fervent aspirations for groundbreaking technological advancements and progress. The transformative power of technological innovation wields the potential to propel societal evolution, while simultaneously offering a vast expanse of uncharted territory for boundless imagination to flourish.
During the course of my doctoral studies in Robotics Engineering at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, a fervent fascination for the realm of industrial Al and Robotics took root within me. This enthusiasm was further nurtured through my professional encounters at Microsoft and Sina, where I gleaned profound insights regarding the boundless marvels of science and technology.
Serendipitously, my esteemed mentor Professor Tianmiao Wang, an illustrious trailblazer in the realm of Robotics in China once imparted upon me the invaluable wisdom that robotic technology harbors tremendous potential within the medical domain. Profoundly inspired and influenced by his sagacious words, coupled with my firsthand experience in both technological and managerial capacities, I resolved to establish Weiyun Al & Robotics Group, thereby embarking upon my personal odyssey into the sphere of industrial Al exploration.
CEO Views: What initial challenges have you faced while setting up your company?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: Firstly, allow me to employ a Chinese proverb to eloquently encapsulate the arduousness of embarking upon an entrepreneurial endeavor – “The beginning is fraught with difficulties.” During that juncture, we emerged as trailblazers in venturing into the nascent realm of industrial Al.
Our endeavors necessitated comprehensive mastery of process systems, technical architecture, and application principles, while simultaneously confronting formidable challenges encompassing capital acquisition, technological progress, team cultivation, market competitiveness, and other complexities inherent to entrepreneurial ventures. Notably, the expansive technical architecture inherent to industrial Al demanded a profound reliance on interdisciplinary talents, making it arduous to find individuals with comprehensive capabilities at the highest echelons of proficiency. Thus, our early career journey entailed substantial investments of time and energy. However, in hindsight, it is resoundingly evident that every sacrifice and exertion was unequivocally justified and deemed worthwhile.
CEO Views: Not every entrepreneur may necessarily be a great leader. What according to you are the necessary traits an entrepreneur should have to become a leader?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: In my view, there exists no expedient path from ground zero to groundbreaking achievements in any domain, and the realm of technology companies is no exception. As a pioneer within this industry and as the founder of my own company, I wholeheartedly believe in the paramount importance of maintaining an insatiable desire for exploration and fostering a forward–looking mindset. The rapid advancements of science and technology have transformed numerous fantasies into tangible realities, and this fervent desire to explore allows me to conceive innovative ideas and translate them into practicality. As the CEO of the company, I have garnered firsthand knowledge that astute insight and a cohesive leadership team are indispensable.
CEO Views: You have an unparalleled professional career with years of experience and expertise in demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of Industrial Al in medical industry. How your experience and expertise have contributed in your entrepreneurial journey?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: Combined with more than 20 years of experience in industrial Al and robotics, my unwavering conviction resides in the profound understanding that the medical industry itself is a field with a high threshold, both professional and special. The highly personalized service and product delivery in the medical industry determine that Al has great potential in this field.
Drawing upon my extensive years of industry experience, I have formulated an architectural framework for industrial Al technology that places Al at the fulcrum of decision–making, while leveraging robots to execute said decisions. Pioneering the implementation of this innovative technological framework within medical settings, I have successfully cultivated a closed–loop system comprising “Al terminal – cloud brain – smart factory,” This distinctive framework manifests as a disruptive paradigm shift, heralding substantial enhancements in the realms of efficiency, productivity, and precision within industrial production.
CEO Views: What strategies do you employ to stay competitive and relevant in such a diverse field?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: As a leader in the realm of artificial intelligence, I recognize the imperative of daring to practice and innovate in order to maintain our competitive edge. In my perspective, products that prioritize user experience and adapt to market dynamics are destined to garner widespread attention. Achieving this requires a forward–looking vision and a keen understanding of market intricacies.
Over the past year, Weiyun has garnered acclaim by introducing self–developed AI SMILE Intra–oral scanner S4 and AI SMILE Orthodontic Accurate Smart Alignment. System Venus 1.0. These innovations have resonated favorably due to their user–centric design and ability to address unmet market needs.
Moving forward, Weiyun will continue leveraging its core strengths to develop more groundbreaking products that propel advancements within the field of oral medicine, enabling individuals to experience the enchantment and convenience brought forth by science and technology.
Additionally, I believe that establishing strategic partnerships is an astute approach as it allows for the mutually beneficial collaboration whereby complementary advantages in technology, market reach, and resources can be harnessed to drive industry growth.
Remind yourself that age merely serves as a nominal descriptor, for no matter the count of years, never lose your passion for exploration.
CEO Views: How do you manage to transform frigid digital technology into compassionate healing instruments?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: Embarking upon my personal voyage of exploration, I have come to realize that by hamessing the power of digital intelligent technology, big data, and Al algorithms, it has successfully bridged the gap between concept and reality, perpetually exploring novel avenues to enable a greater number of individuals to benefit from technology–driven medical services and experiences.
CEO Views: What challenges and opportunities have you faced during your time at the company and how have they affected your role?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: In addition to the various difficulties that were encountered in the early days of the company, during the COVID–19 pandemic, it has also faced many tests. In my perception, opportunities and challenges exist in symbiotic harmony, particularly within the realm of the medical industry. After the global experience of the test of COVID–19, it is not difficult to find that medical innovation is crucial and Al, as the current global focus, has become the direction of transformation for future scientific and technological advancements.
In this process, I firmly believe that the integration of industrial robotics and Al will become a trend in the development of every industry. Weiyun is also poised to open the new era of industry by combining its unique ideas with technological practices.
CEO Views: What is the significance of an inclusive work culture? As a CEO of a leading organization, what are the steps you have taken to foster an inclusive work culture?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: I passionately advocate for an environment that fosters a harmonious synergy between diligence and enjoyment, wherein each individual’s potential can be magnified, ultimately leading to the realization of personal value. Within our company, every member possesses the right to contribute, empowering them to proffer innovative ideas and suggestions through direct communication via email with the CEO.
CEO Views: What are the pain points in the industry? How is your team specially equipped to solve those problems?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: In our pursuit of product development, one of the crucial focal points lies in overcoming industry pain points. Take the orthodontic field in the medical industry that Weiyun focuses on as an example, we have identified a significant challenge in the extended delivery cycle for invisible braces, often exceeding two months. Empowered by intelligent unmanned production lines, we achieve unparalleled flexibility in producing ultra–high precision components at a scale as minute as 10 microns, enabling us to deliver within a rapid time frame of merely seven days.
In addition, many problems in the process of oral medical treatment are also we strive to solve. Addressing these concerns head–on, Weiyun leverages its core Al algorithms as the bedrock of intelligent decision–making. With the incorporation of ChatGPT technology and our proprietary robots executing precise tasks, we establish a seamless closed–loop system that entwines cutting–edge technology with industry practices.
CEO Views: What are the prospects we can expect or envision in the field? In a few years from now, what would be the best manifestation of yourself from your current position and responsibilities?
Dr. Dapeng Liu: The medical industry, intimately intertwined with the fabric of everyday life, perpetually holds vast promise regardless of the ever-shifting tides of time. As a trailblazer in harmonizing industrial Al with dental medical scenarios, I embrace the mantle of responsibility and cherish the profound mission of advancing the integration of digital healthcare landscapes.
My current responsibilities are to forge ahead in the development of cutting–edge medical products and services that epitomize efficiency and convenience with my team. Moreover, I aspire not merely to effect incremental advancements, but to reshape the very fabric of the industry itself. By harnessing the transformative power of science and technology, I strive to usher in a new era within the medical field.
