As a box-shaped unmanned minibus approaches an intersection, it smoothly decelerates, utilizing advanced exterior sensors that detect surrounding objects, enabling it to navigate without any interruptions.

The electric-powered minibus obtains crucial guidance from a network of traffic lights and roadside transmitters, effortlessly transporting passengers during the busy early morning commute. This concept, once considered utopian, has become a daily routine in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

The minibus is a testament to the thriving development of the internet of things industry in Wuxi. In 2022, the total revenue of the city's IoT industry surged by 16.2 percent year-on-year, reaching 401 billion yuan ($54.85 billion) — nearly half that of Jiangsu's total IoT sector.

Since 2016, the local government has organized the annual World Internet of Things Exposition annually. The WIoT is a technological exhibition in Wuxi that attracts industry pioneers to showcase their latest technologies.

This year's edition is scheduled from Friday to Monday and will feature a summit, a 50,000-square-meter exhibition area and various activities, including forums, dialogues, product releases and consumer experiences.

Apart from the WIoT, Wuxi has been at the forefront of promoting a wide range of IoT-enabled applications in various sectors of the city, such as water conservancy and power supply.

To enhance the security of the power grid, State Grid Wuxi Power Supply Co has explored connecting satellite constellations to the city's grid, one of the latest forms of IoT, utilizing the Beidou Navigation Satellite System since 2020.

Mei Qin, general manager of the IoT branch of State Grid Wuxi Power Supply Co, said that by linking the ground electricity network to the Beidou system in orbit, the company can locate and monitor its own infrastructure in near-real time, facilitating rapid responses in situations like extreme weather or power outages.

Aside from State Grid, companies and research institutes such as China Mobile, China Telecom, Microsoft and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have established IoT research facilities in the city.

Wuxi Xinxiang Information Technology Co Ltd, a leading semiconductor intelligent manufacturing solutions provider in China, relocated to Wuxi in 2018. Jin Xingxun, the company's chief operating officer, attributes the relocation to the city's congenial business environment, complete semiconductor and IoT industry chains and abundant talent resources.

"The regional government did a good job in policymaking, laying out industry foundations and building ancillary facilities," Jin said.

The IoT industry in Wuxi currently employs over 200,000 people, with 50,000 certified as high-skilled talent. Both the government and companies are striving to cultivate and attract talent in order to maintain their leading position.

Hu Haoshu and Xiang Wenjian in Wuxi contributed to this story.