In an interview with Professor Zhou Yanzhou, a lens inspection expert based at Guangzhou University of Technology, we delved into his decades-long dedication to advancing lens testing technology and how it contributes to China’s technological independence.
“Lenses play a critical role in various fields,” Professor Zhou explained. “However, in current safety production and quality control processes, we face the challenge of needing to measure one side, flip it over, and then measure the other. This method compromises the accuracy of positioning and ultimately the precision of the measurements.”
Since 1994, Zhou has focused deeply on lens inspection, transitioning from laser controllers to multi-surface measurements, and his work has received significant recognition within the industry. Yet, instead of settling for his accomplishments, he accepted an opportunity at Guangzhou University of Technology and made a pivotal shift in his research towards robotic vision systems.
“Machine vision can greatly enhance inspection efficiency,” Zhou noted. “The alignment between my work and the Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence here is very strong. If we succeed in our projects, it could significantly contribute to the technological advancement of related industries in China.”
Throughout his research journey, Zhou and his team faced numerous hurdles, enduring over a thousand failures without ever considering giving up. “With the rapid development of autonomous vehicles, the accuracy of information captured by cameras is directly tied to driving safety. Any glare affecting the camera can pose serious challenges to machine learning. Each self-driving car is equipped with six cameras, and each camera has five lenses, making precise quality checks on each lens essential,” he stated, with a serious tone.
Zhou’s perseverance paid off in 2020 when he successfully designed an off-axis laser wave number scanning Fizeau interferometer. From 2020 to 2024, his team integrated advanced phase demodulation analysis methods into laser wave number scanning interferometric measurements, significantly improving measurement stability.
During this period, they published over 40 papers in prestigious international scientific journals and secured more than 20 patents. Their achievements were recognized with the First Prize in Technological Invention from Guangdong Province in 2020 and the Second Prize in Natural Science from the same province in 2019. Notably, their project garnered a Silver Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva in May 2024, which is one of the longest-running and largest invention exhibitions globally.
Professor Fan Zhigang from Harbin Institute of Technology highlighted Zhou’s contributions, stating that their method for measuring multi-interface devices sets new standards in industrial measurement and marks a significant milestone in China’s technological prowess, allowing domestic manufacturers to gain leverage in product pricing.
Guangzhou University of Technology, known for bridging the gap between scientific breakthroughs and industrial applications, has demonstrated its innovative capabilities not only through substantial scientific support but also in organizational agility. The university’s robot application systems reportedly achieve annual sales of over ten million yuan.
With a clear focus on his research at the university, Zhou is optimistic about the future. “We will continue to optimize our technology, making lens inspections more efficient and accurate, which will support the development of lens-related industries in China’s autonomous driving sector,” he affirmed.
