In a move to accelerate its digital economy, Sichuan Province has officially released a new management policy for digital application scenario labs. This initiative aims to standardize the construction and operation of these specialized facilities.
The policy outlines a plan to establish approximately three comprehensive scenario labs and 10-20 industry-specific labs over the next three years. This follows the province's initial deployment of six scenario labs last year, signaling a strategic push to convert Sichuan's abundant scenario advantages into a competitive edge for its digital economy.
These "scenario labs" serve as practical testing grounds for digital transformation, going beyond theoretical research. Their core purpose is to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of digital technologies or solutions within real-world applications. The labs act as a bridge, connecting technology development companies with genuine industrial needs to foster a pathway of "technology breakthrough, scenario validation, industrial application, and systematic upgrade."
A provincial official noted that while Sichuan possesses rich digital application resources, it faces bottlenecks such as insufficient supply-demand matching for digital technology innovation and a lack of robust technical verification mechanisms. To address this, the province began exploring scenario lab construction last year, with the first batch of six labs now in operation. For instance, Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., Ltd., selected for the electronics industry lab, is leading the development of western China's first "Embodied AI Robot Training Ground." Here, robots can repeatedly practice tasks like flexible assembly and material handling, effectively completing their "pre-job training" before deployment in factories.
The labs are designed to fulfill four core functions: creating a platform for matching application scenario supply and demand, conducting regular scenario verification services by providing facilities and computing resources, optimizing the incubation model for new applications by integrating capital and talent, and establishing a system for replicating and scaling mature scenarios for widespread industrial use.
For businesses, the most direct benefits are cost reduction, expanded application opportunities, and enhanced capabilities. This is particularly valuable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which can leverage these recognized labs to conduct low-cost technical testing, product iteration, and solution verification without building complex, expensive test environments themselves. By connecting the demand and technology sides, the labs help good technologies find ideal application scenarios and nurture promising industries, ensuring that businesses gain tangible benefits and opportunities in the digitalization of Sichuan.
The labs are categorized into two types. Comprehensive labs, primarily built by authorized operators of public data, will serve the province's general digital transformation needs. Industry-specific labs, led by leading enterprises, digital innovation companies, "specialized and new" (专精特新) firms, and "single champion" enterprises, will focus on deep technological breakthroughs and tailored solutions within their respective fields.
The provincial development and reform commission plans to initiate another round of lab certification later this year. Eligible companies with independent legal status that meet the requirements for scenario resources, technical conditions, team composition, and infrastructure can apply. Approved projects will be eligible for financial support, promotional assistance, and resource matching services.