Czech researcher Michal Petru is looking to work with Ningbo companies on recyclable automotive materials and industrial AI applications, building on the city's strong manufacturing base.

Petru, a professor and vice-dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Liberec, discussed potential areas of cooperation during the 2026 China-CEEC Conference on Innovation Cooperation in Ningbo in September.

One priority is developing recyclable and biodegradable materials for car interiors, as conventional plastic composites can be difficult to recycle when vehicles reach the end of their lives, creating a growing waste management challenge for automakers.

Petru said his team has already worked on environmentally friendly materials for European car manufacturers. Further cooperation with Ningbo could help adapt these technologies to Chinese production processes and test them with local automotive suppliers.

He also sees opportunities for AI-powered robotics in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. His team's work includes automated glass sorting systems used by European recycling companies and robotic systems that control fiber placement in manufacturing.

For industrial robots, Petru believes practical performance matters more than impressive demonstrations. He identified data security, scalability, skilled workers, and system integration as major challenges to wider adoption.

Petru also emphasized the importance of involving businesses early in research projects. By combining university expertise with manufacturers' production needs, he hopes future cooperation can move promising technologies from the lab to factory floors.