25 partners showcase a concerted effort to build Hong Kong as an international metropolis of intelligence

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 April 2024 - The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), alongside 25 partner companies, has taken part in Asia's leading annual innovation and technology (I&T) event, InnoEX 2024, and the world-class electronics industry event, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Under the theme: From Smart Vision to Intelligent Future, HKSTP presents cutting-edge R&D achievements from 16 partner companies in fields such as Smart City, AI and Robotics, Digital Business, and Marketing Tech, further showcasing the region's research strengths. HKSTP has been steadfast in its commitment to nurturing innovative enterprises that advance the development of Hong Kong as a smart city. On the exhibition's opening day, HKSTP arranged two start-up showcase sessions, which provided opportunities for business matching and investment opportunities. The sessions were conducted in a competitive format, with the winning start-up scheduled to participate in the Techsauce Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, in August, with HKSTP to achieve potential business expansion in Asia. Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP, said: "China is focusing on the development of 'new quality productive forces', with I&T serving as the core driving force. Our participation in InnoEX presenting market-ready solutions to both local and overseas buyers is expected to capture their attention and garner brand exposure. HKSTP will continue to refine its support for nurturing startups, accelerating the process from R&D to commercialisation, thus fostering the development of intelligent living." According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s Global Frontier Technology Readiness Index in 2023, Hong Kong has ascended from 13th to 9th globally in the capability to utilise cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT. This significant leap underscores a marked enhancement in Hong Kong's application of innovative technologies. As technological products are now closely intertwined with AI, several partner companies have integrated AI into their offerings for greater intelligence, customisation, and optimisation of efficiency, which in turn significantly enhances the user experience. For example, smart building solutions employ sensors to gather environmental data for subsequent analysis. The integration of AI improves the volume, speed, and precision of data processing. Additionally, some startups have incorporated AI into digital marketing tools, refining the advertisement production workflow, enabling the creation of more targeted and cost-efficient advertising strategies. In collaboration with global universities, the 14 research AI and robotics laboratories under InnoHK's "AIR@InnoHK" will show case some of the most advanced solutions at InnoEX. This year's InnoEX gathers world-class innovative solutions, featuring science and technology enterprises from over 13 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Canada, France, India, Poland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and more. HKSTP's flagship start-up pitching competition, EPiC, will also culminate with its Grand Finale on the 26th of April at the top of Hong Kong's iconic International Commerce Centre. The top 74 global start-ups reaching the final round will compete for potential investments totalling USD 45 million. This includes venture capital investment of up to USD 5 million, cash prizes totalling USD 240,000, and opportunities for commercial collaborations. Participating start-ups can benefit from HKSTP's unrivalled ecosystem as a springboard to tap into the vast opportunities in Mainland China, Asia, and other overseas markets. Some of the latest products and solutions exhibited by HKSTP partner companies at InnoEX include: Smart City SolutionsIntelligent Transformation for Old and New Buildings: Comprehensive realization of smart buildings - Neuron Digital's smart building solutions are tailored for a variety of applications, featuring specialised modules that can interface with 5G or IoT. These systems collect data on temperature, humidity, air quality, space occupancy, etc. By integrating AI with digital twins, Neuron Digital offers a detailed 3D virtual model of a building's internal and external environments. This enables developers, building operators, and facilities management teams to easily monitor and optimise facility operations, leading to significant energy savings, enhanced building management efficiency,...