A virtual driving system, the latest 3D printers and devices to test food and drug safety were among the highlights of a technology fair in Shanghai.

The China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair attracted 800 high-tech projects from a wide range of industries.

Shanghai Infrared displayed two virtual driving systems for learners which can simulate various conditions from highways to mountain roads at night or in rainy or foggy weather.

'The system will be introduced in local driving schools to help new drivers probably in the second half after being adopted in Zhejiang Province in a small scale now," said sales manager Yu Hao.

The tech fair will help firms display latest technologies and find potential partners, said Ma Ning, research manager of Suzhou-based OptoTrace, which provides testing devices for food and drugs.

The company's current customers are mainly government regulators, Ma said, but it hoped to find new buyers among major drug and food firms.

The latest developments in 3D printing were also on show.

Xi'an-based Hengtong had 3D printers able to print metal items.

In 2011, global 3D printing market revenue reached US$1.7 billion while the figure will hit US$3.7 billion by 2015, according to research firm Wohlers Associates.