In May 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation officially issued the Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Metrology (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), proposing to achieve a number of major goals by 2030, such as tackling key technologies, infrastructure construction, building standard databases, and promoting typical cases. This solution not only represents a deep digital leap in the measurement system, but also marks the start of the systematic reconstruction of key basic capabilities in China's data-driven scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading.
In the context of the continuous evolution of the digital economy and the rapid implementation of the Internet of Everything, measurement, which seems to be the basic link of the "edge", is rapidly becoming one of the main supports for industrial modernization, technological autonomy and data trustworthiness.
Ⅰ Measuring "out of tools" to "data elements": a change in strategic direction
For a long time, the metrology system has mainly focused on the supervision of instruments, emphasizing accuracy, traceability and compliance. However, in the era of digital economy, the role of metrology as a tool for the "quantified world" has shifted from static calibration to dynamic support. From 5G base station power monitoring to smart grid energy efficiency assessment, from AI chip temperature control management to L4 autonomous driving accuracy calibration, metering data is infiltrating all digital underlying scenarios.
But problems were also exposed: data fragmentation, incompatible interfaces, and a lack of reference standards...... The traditional "appliance management" model can no longer meet the needs of cross-platform, cross-scenario, and real-time measurement and verification.
It is under this logic that the Programme is proposed. Its core is not a simple information upgrade, but to promote the measurement to enter the stage of "data element management" in an all-round way, so that it can truly participate in the industrial data ecology and realize the reconstruction of standardization, platform and marketization.
Ⅱ The six major indicator systems outline the map of measurement digitization targets in 2030
The Plan proposes to achieve the following key outcomes by 2030 and establish a systematic framework for the digitalization of measurement:
Figure: The Action Plan for Digital Transformation of Metrology proposes to achieve the following key outcomes by 2030
Ⅲ Multi-dimensional value: support the upgrading of the three major systems of science and technology, industry and governance
1. Scientific and technological innovation: build a national "precision data base".
Whether it is atomic-level manufacturing, quantum precision measurement, or the development of a new generation of high-performance sensors, metrology digitalization will provide more accurate testing tools and data benchmarks for high-end technology research and development. Taking semiconductors as an example, the size measurement, electrical analysis, and packaging stress evaluation involved in the chip manufacturing process put forward extremely high requirements for measurement accuracy. Breakthroughs in digital metrology technology will directly improve China's R&D and verification capabilities on advanced process nodes (such as 5nm and 3nm).
2. Industrial upgrading: Promote the transformation of the manufacturing industry from "equipment-driven" to "data-driven".
Metering data can empower industrial equipment to achieve predictive maintenance, energy efficiency optimization, production traceability and other functions, which is the underlying support of the industrial Internet. For example, in the new energy vehicle industry, accurate battery performance measurement and real-time operation monitoring will be directly related to the energy efficiency performance and safety assessment of the whole vehicle. In intelligent manufacturing, digital metering can also realize the visual management of the whole life cycle of the production process.
3. Digital governance: improve the accuracy of social governance and public services
With the digitalization of public areas such as urban governance, medical and health care, and food safety, the demand for credible measurement data is also increasing rapidly. The plan proposes to strengthen the efficiency of people's livelihood metering data, which means that the smart meter data in water, electricity, gas, heat and other infrastructure will be systematically integrated to achieve more scientific, transparent and efficient resource allocation and service response.
Figure: The State Administration for Market Regulation officially issued the Action Plan for Digital Transformation of Measurement
Ⅳ The challenge is clear: from "number" to "governance" three levels
Although the top-level design has been clarified, the digital transformation of metrology still faces three challenges: technology, system, and talent:
(1) The problem of technical "stuck neck" still exists
In key links such as ultra-high-precision measurement chips, intelligent perception devices, and low-power edge measurement and control platforms, China is still highly dependent on imports and lacks an independent and controllable product system. The "Plan" proposes "10 devices with independent intellectual property rights", which will become the focus of breaking through the technological blockade and promoting domestic substitution.
(2) The boundary between data security and sovereignty is blurred
Measurement data is widely related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and its security is far beyond that of general commercial data. In the process of data collection, transmission, and exchange, if there is no unified security standard and encryption protocol, it may lead to information leakage, manipulation risks, and even become a system vulnerability in digital security. It is urgent to establish a sound security management framework for measurement data and incorporate it into the national network information governance system.
(3) The talent system is faulty, and the supply of compound teams is insufficient
Metrology engineers generally have traditional technologies and lack new skills such as algorithms, architecture, and cloud native, and IT practitioners are not competent in high-precision metrology model design. It is urgent to build an integrated "digital measurement talent system" covering college education, continuing training, and standard certification.
Ⅴ Conclusion: The "Bottom Revolution" in the Era of Data Power
The digital transformation of measurement is not a partial reform, but a reshaping of the underlying system that runs through the country's scientific and technological sovereignty, the modernization of the industrial chain, and the intelligence of social governance. It is the basis of the "invisible", but it determines the speed and credibility of the development of the "visible".
From breaking through 30 core technologies to building 10 national standard databases, China is accelerating the integration of the measurement system and the digital economy with "national action". By 2030, a unified, controllable, intelligent and internationally influential digital measurement system is expected to become the key to China's grasp of the initiative in global digital competition.
This is a seemingly quiet but far-reaching "infrastructure revolution".
