A conventional CT scanner takes 20 minutes to complete a whole-body scanning. During a five-day innovation event that starts today, residents can see how it can be done in 16 seconds.

Another breakthrough that can be seen during the 2017 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week is a medical device that can see through a vein, making it easier for nurses to give an injection. The innovation week opens today at its main venue in Changyang Campus, Yangpu District.

During the event, nearly 200 events including roadshows, training courses and innovation competitions will be held around the city.

The featured firms include a commercial rocket startup that claims it will launch its first rocket next year.

"With the opening of space industry, growing numbers of private companies need to launch their own satellites, but usually they have to use the state-run rockets," said Shu Chang, chief executive of the Beijing-based One Space Technology Co. "Rockets are like taxis, while the satellites are like passengers. Instead of being limited by ‘car-pooling’ the state-run rockets, we want to provide more alternatives for private companies," Shu said.

Another company, Liulishuo from Yangpu District, boasts an application that allows users to speak excellent English via artificial intelligence technology.

A user, for example someone at an airport’s check-in counter, can use the app to talk like a native speaker. Artificial intelligence allows the app to correct any mispronunciations.

Over the past few years, China has become one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world, the event's organizers said.