A “mutual pursuit” spanning historical heritage and cutting-edge technology has accelerated the digital transformation of the traditional water utilities industry. On May 13, 2026, Hangzhou Maitu Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. welcomed a delegation led by Yao Daohui, Party Branch Secretary and Manager of Shanghai Water Meter Factory Co., Ltd. The two sides officially signed an exclusive licensing agreement granting Shanghai the right to use Hangzhou Maitu’s AI-powered image recognition technology, jointly embarking on a brand-new journey of deep integration between “traditional manufacturing and AI technology” in the field of water metering.

Currently, the water utilities industry is accelerating its transition into a new era of digitalization and intelligence. Traditional processes such as water meter testing, operation and maintenance management, data collection, and fault diagnosis are facing real challenges in terms of improving efficiency, controlling costs, and achieving precise operations and maintenance. Intelligent AI image recognition technology—being a core application of the new generation of artificial intelligence—is highly compatible with water metering scenarios. It serves as a critical technological foundation for addressing industry pain points and driving industrial innovation, boasting vast application potential and practical value.

△ Yao Daohui, Party Branch Secretary and Manager of Shanghai Water Meter Factory Co., Ltd. (right) 
Zhang Qing, General Manager of Hangzhou Maitu Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. (left) 
Officially established a strategic partnership.

△ Wang Zonghui, Chairman of Hangzhou Maitu Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. (left) presents 
an authorization certificate to Yao Daohui, Secretary of the Party Branch and Manager of Shanghai Water Meter Factory Co., Ltd. (right).

As a “time-honored brand” in the water industry, the Shanghai Water Meter Factory boasts a century of manufacturing expertise and has been deeply rooted in the Shanghai Urban Investment Water Services system for many years. It possesses a mature production and manufacturing system, well-established market channels, and strong industry credibility. “Currently, the industry is at a critical juncture in its digital and smart metering transformation,” said Yao Daohui, Party Branch Secretary and Manager of Shanghai Water Meter Factory Co., Ltd. “Traditional manufacturing enterprises urgently need to leverage technological innovation to break through development bottlenecks and seize market opportunities.” This collaboration not only aligns with the strategic planning requirements of our parent company, Shanghai Urban Environment Group, but also reflects the trend of the Shanghai Water Meter Factory’s evolution from “traditional manufacturing” to “intelligent manufacturing.” “We must transform Paimu’s technological innovation advantages into tangible industrial value, deliver a powerful combination of ‘technology-driven intelligent manufacturing and comprehensive service support,’ and bridge the final mile between smart technology and industrial application.”

As an innovation leader in the field of AI-powered camera recognition, Hangzhou Maitu has independently developed METER MIND 4.0—the world’s first vertically specialized large-scale AI model for water meter reading. Complementing this model are a series of products—including dual-mode terminals that combine pulse and camera technologies, as well as mobile meter-reading apps—enabling stable adaptation to a wide range of complex meter-reading scenarios. Wang Zonghui, Chairman of Hangzhou Maitu Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd., stated that Shanghai, as the “leading indicator” of the national water utilities industry, boasts an irreplaceable demonstration effect. He expressed hope that through this collaboration, cutting-edge AI technology can be swiftly implemented in Shanghai, truly delivering value to customers, injecting strong momentum into mutually beneficial development for both parties, and opening up broader market opportunities.

One agreement carries a sense of responsibility; one signing marks the start of a new journey! Following the conclusion of this strategic partnership, both parties will focus on four key areas—pooling efforts for co-creation of technology, accelerating the commercialization of research outcomes, boldly embracing the mission of promotion, and jointly building an industry ecosystem—to expedite the implementation of localized water-metering solutions tailored to Shanghai’s unique needs. We will also promote the industrialization and marketization of AI-powered image recognition technologies applied to the R&D, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance of water meters, as well as next-generation smart water-metering products and intelligent management systems. Our goal is to achieve large-scale deployment of core collaborative technologies within two years, establishing a benchmark model for AI technology applications in the water industry, fostering deep integration between artificial intelligence and the water sector, and driving quality improvement, efficiency gains, and transformative upgrades across the industry—ultimately creating a win-win ecosystem that benefits enterprise development, industry advancement, and people’s livelihoods.

△ Jointly witness the successful signing of this strategic cooperation agreement.

The future is here! Both sides will continue to deepen the integration of technological innovation and application scenarios, truly achieving a closed-loop ecosystem spanning “technological R&D—production line implementation—market promotion.” With robust products and high-quality services, we will empower the company’s high-quality digital transformation of its industries and build momentum for Shanghai’s smart water management development.