Missão Porto & Mar visits SenseTime, China’s artificial intelligence giant

In search of new technologies for the Baixada Santista region, the Mayor of Praia Grande, Alberto Mourão, listens to explanations from the SenseTime team (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

The technical agenda of Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2026 in Shanghai included, this Wednesday (27), a visit to SenseTime, one of China’s largest artificial intelligence companies and a global reference in facial recognition, computer vision, and intelligent automation. The program impressed the Brazilian delegation from the very first minutes.

At the company’s entrance, business leaders, executives, and public officials experienced fully automated purchasing systems based on facial recognition, in a type of smart store where the system itself identifies the consumer, records the selected products, and automatically processes the payment.

Shortly afterward, another piece of equipment caught the participants’ attention: a humanoid robot used as a store attendant. The technology interacts with customers, receives requests, delivers products, and performs customer service tasks in a fully automated manner. The visual impact of the demonstrations reinforced among the mission members the perception of the advanced level of AI applications in China’s urban and commercial daily life.

Founded in 2014 by researchers affiliated with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, SenseTime has established itself as one of the global giants in artificial intelligence, operating in areas such as facial recognition, smart cities, autonomous driving, public security, computer vision, and intelligent monitoring.

The company has become a symbol of China’s AI expansion strategy and gained international prominence for developing advanced image analysis and large-scale facial recognition platforms.

A humanoid robot serving as a store attendant demonstrates the progress achieved by the Chinese through the application of artificial intelligence to everyday tasks (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

Solutions

During Wednesday’s presentation (27), company representatives showcased systems capable of identifying individuals through urban networks integrated by millions of cameras distributed throughout Chinese cities.

The demonstrations included applications focused on public security, urban monitoring, traffic management, and intelligent mobility control. The level of technological integration impressed the Brazilian delegation, while also drawing attention due to its large-scale monitoring capabilities.

Another point that attracted the participants’ interest was the application of artificial intelligence in the automotive sector. The company presented embedded systems capable of monitoring driver behavior and identifying signs of fatigue, distraction, and accident risks in real time.

These solutions are part of China’s strategy to expand the integration between artificial intelligence, smart mobility, and road safety.

The Brazilian delegation had contact with the most advanced AI possibilities, including large-scale applications across multiple sectors (Alexandre Lopes/AT)

Opportunities

In addition to the technological impact, the visit also had a strong institutional relations and business opportunities component.

One of the officials most interested in the presented solutions was the Mayor of Praia Grande, Alberto Mourão (MDB), who spoke with SenseTime representatives about possible applications of these technologies in the Baixada Santista region, especially in areas related to public security, mobility, and smart urban management.

Throughout the visit, mission members highlighted how China has been transforming artificial intelligence into large-scale practical applications, integrating technology, infrastructure, and public services at a highly accelerated pace.

The agenda at SenseTime reinforced a perception repeatedly observed throughout Missão Porto & Mar 2026: China is no longer merely an industrial center for mass production and has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading protagonists in the technological race.

More than futuristic innovation, the systems presented in Shanghai demonstrate how artificial intelligence, automation, and data analysis are already part of China’s urban routine — often at a level still far removed from the reality observed in much of the Western world.

Bruno Stupello, Luciana Guerise and Ricardo Arten (Reproduction)

“Being in China brings a change of mindset. We saw how a country focused on technological development is ahead in relation to the applications we currently have in Brazil. Here, artificial intelligence is extremely advanced, and it can also be applied to terminals, ports, and virtually any industry”, said Bruno Stupello, Director of Strategic Projects Development at Santos Brasil.

“We have fully electrified and remotely controlled equipment. This already helps in several areas, especially regarding environmental performance and productivity. I am very happy to be at ZPMC, because from the window you can already see two pieces of equipment prepared to be shipped to Santos. Two will arrive in August and two more next year. This will provide greater productivity for our terminal and for the Port”, said Luciana Guerise, Institutional Relations at DP World.

“ZPMC manufactures heavy equipment, both in the STS segment, handling container loading and unloading from ships, and RTGs, which operate in the terminal yard. It is an industry that transforms our operations through efficiency. Our equipment produced by ZPMC is remotely operated, ensuring safety for both workers and operations”, said Ricardo Arten, President of Porto Itapoá.