Lin Songtao 254238712@qq.com WHEN Ekaterina Uliankova began learning Chinese during her time at university in Russia, she never imagined that it would one day shape her career and become such an important part of her life. Uliankova’s first trip to China was in 2014. “I went to the beautiful Qingdao for a student exchange program to study Chinese for one semester. But I completely fell in love with the city and the culture.” That exchange program inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province. In 2018, Uliankova was invited to work at Shenzhen Wabony Electric Co. Ltd. Over time, she found a job she truly enjoys, met people she genuinely respects, and built close friendships with colleagues and friends who have stood by her side. Career achievements Uliankova’s interest in technology developed gradually. “I have always been drawn to creativity, and when I started working in the product development field, I realized how exciting it is to turn an idea into a real product.” The company she works for specializes in developing and producing speaker systems and full original design manufacturer (ODM) solutions for global clients. “We guide our partners through every step of the process — from industrial design and engineering to testing, certification, pilot runs, and full-scale production.” As a project manager, Uliankova oversees the entire development process. “I coordinate between clients, suppliers, and internal teams, such as R&D, purchasing, and production. My responsibilities include managing timelines, solving technical and process-related issues, supporting NPI [new product introduction], and ensuring the product meets both quality standards and customer expectations.” She said being involved in the full product life cycle is a great source of inspiration. “Each product we bring to life goes through many stages of development and care, which is why I often jokingly refer to them as my kids. That sense of ownership and responsibility keeps me motivated every day.” Regarding the impact of AI and robotics on people’s lives, Uliankova feels fortunate to witness the behind-the-scenes process of how smart products are created. “We also develop and produce various types of robots, including delivery robots, commercial cleaning robots, robotic lawn mowers, and swimming pool cleaning robots. I find it exciting to watch how these solutions are becoming more intelligent, accessible, and integrated into everyday life.” Living in a tech city Uliankova regards Shenzhen as one of the most dynamic tech cities in the world. “You can see AI and robotics being applied in real life everywhere. They’re already happening here instead of future concepts,” she shared, highlighting autonomous vehicles as a product that has impressed her most. In her view, Shenzhen’s future in robotics will not only focus on easing daily life through automation but will also evolve toward creating products with emotional and social value powered by AI. For example, her company is exploring an AI-integrated camera system that monitors elderly behavior in a respectful, non-intrusive manner. “The system is connected to an app that tracks behavioral patterns. If it detects abnormalities, such as falling, long periods of inactivity, or early signs of depression — it will send a notification to the family or caregiver.” She noted that many R&D centers in Shenzhen are also working on AI software to recognize mood disorders, which will eventually be integrated into hardware. “I believe this is one of the most important and promising trends in Shenzhen’s tech landscape.” Uliankova feels proud to contribute to innovations that thoughtfully improve people’s lives through advanced software developed by local research teams and overseas partners. Life beyond work Outside of work, Uliankova finds Shenzhen full of passionate professionals who inspire her to explore new hobbies and develop new skills. “I met my free-diving instructor, who helped me earn my three-star free-diving certification, in Shenzhen. Also, I had the amazing opportunity to meet Alexey Molchanov, the world champion in free-diving, during his visit to Shenzhen,” she recalled. She also enjoys outdoor activities, yoga, fitness training, and learning Korean. Looking ahead, Uliankova plans to take on larger responsibilities. “I want to lead international teams and work on products that bring real value to users.” She also aims to continue growing personally by learning new languages and strengthening her cross-cultural communication skills. “Life has had its ups and downs. I’m very grateful to Shenzhen for all the lessons I have learned here,” she said. “I choose to stay here because of my work and the life I have built.” | 