Z10 Club intl. students explore Nanshan hi-tech

Video and photos by Lin Jianping

The "HiShenGenzers Nanshan Tour" kicked off March. 28 at Shenzhen InnoX with participation of Z10 Club students from over ten countries, including Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ghana, and others for a journey into cutting-edge technology.  

The Nanshan tour was the first leg of Z10 Club which was initiated earlier this month by EyeShenzhen and 10 universities across the city.

The event, organized by EyeShenzhen and the Publicity Department of Nanshan CPC Committee attracted over 20 international students from five universities, including Shenzhen University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Polytechnic University, and Shenzhen MSU-BIT University. It was supported by the Nanshan Integrated Media Center.

International students attend the opening ceremony at Shenzhen InnoX. 

After a brief opening ceremony at Shenzhen InnoX, the Z10 members embarked on their sci-tech exploration. They reviewed three years of innovation achievements of Shenzhen InnoX, and tried out smart portable recovery devices and massage rollers.  

Students are trying out smart portable recovery devices and massage rollers. 

"This product is excellent — I love it! It effectively relieves lower back pain, and I’ll definitely recommend it to my friends," said Maria Korepanova, a Russian student from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), after testing a smart waist-support device.  

According to Shenzhen InnoX, its 450+ entrepreneurs have developed over 65 projects, including 16 angel-round startups, 30 exploratory teams, and 22 pre-exploration teams, spanning fields like sports tech, smart homes, health tech, pet tech, and logistics.   

At the Shenzhen Foundation Model AI Eco-hub, participants wore Time Kettle AI translation earbuds to listen to pitches from four startups.  

Students are taking selfies together at the Shenzhen Foundation Model AI Eco-hub.

"I’ve long heard about Shenzhen’s tech prowess, and experiencing it firsthand today is thrilling. AI makes life smarter and more efficient — like that interior design app, which saves time and money," said Le Duong Huy, a Vietnamese student majoring in international trade at Shenzhen University.  

Aysel Hajiyeva from Azerbaijan, a student at Shenzhen Polytechnic University, tried a fashion design app and felt like a professional designer. "It’s so intuitive. Even as a non-expert, I could create designs effortlessly," she remarked.  

Aysel Hajiyeva draws some drafts on the fashion design app.

Launched in June 2024, Shenzhen Foundation Model AI Eco-hub is the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s first AI-focused incubator, combining hardware-software integration and scenario-driven innovation to advance AI development.  

Exoskeleton Robots Steal the Spotlight  

The afternoon session to try the π-series hiking exoskeleton and the Q20 lumbar-support robot by Kenqing Technology became a highlight that attracted enthusiasts.  

The π-series is an ultra-lightweight lower-body exoskeleton that integrates ergonomics, motion-sensing AI, and dynamic assistance to reduce leg strain and enhance cardio workouts. Meanwhile, the Q20 — the world’s lightest active lumbar exoskeleton — offers 20kg load support with ergonomic comfort, aiding both industrial workers and elderly caregivers since its early 2025 debut.  

"This exoskeleton is amazing! It helps seniors and people with knee or back pain. Even for healthy hikers, it protects joints during climbs," said Shawkat Abouelnour, an Egyptian student at Shenzhen Polytechnic University. 

One student is trying the π-series hiking exoskeleton.

Digital Art Meets Cutting-Edge Tech

The day concluded with an immersive exhibition, AMONG Dreamscapes, curated by COOBBY Digital Art Platform. Featuring 20+ cross-disciplinary works by 19 artists, the showcase blended spatial installations, new media art, and mixed reality (MR) to explore the nexus of consciousness and society.  

"We had a blast! Wearing VR goggles to interact with invisible objects — this fusion of tech and art is mind-blowing," shared an international student from Shenzhen University.  

Launched in March 2025, the Z10 club — initiated by EyeShenzhen and 10 local universities—organizes monthly themed tours to innovation hubs and cultural landmarks. Through "interest circles + annual media campaigns," it empowers Gen Z youth to share Shenzhen’s tech and cultural stories globally.

Moving forward, Z10 will expand its activities across Shenzhen, shaping an international narrative of "Chinese modernization through Gen Z’s lens."