Press Release | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

ASTRI successfully showcases advanced intelligent projection technologies at CES Asia 2017

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) participated in the CES Asia 2017 from 7-9 June in Shanghai. At the exhibition, ASTRI successfully showcased its advanced intelligent projection technologies, receiving a lot of positive feedback from the industry.

ASTRI teamed up with Delphi to showcase Augmented Reality head-up display (AR HUD). The AR HUD is a windshield-type laser holographic HUD that projects virtual images on the driver’s line of sight of the road. It yields high-contrast and high-resolution display with AR features. In addition to AR HUD, ASTRI performed live demonstration on various intelligent projection technologies, including eye gaze tracking system, 2D laser holographic projection module, field of view (FOV) 60^ohead-mounted Display (HMD), and liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) panel. Details of these technologies are available here.

CES Asia was organised by Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ and co-produced by Shanghai Intex. It is a premier event for the consumer technology industry to showcase the full breadth and depth of the innovation value-chain in the Asian marketplace. More than 450 exhibitors from 22 countries and territories gathered at the event to showcase ground-breaking technologies and products.

ASTRI showcases several advanced intelligent projection technologies at CES Asia 2017

Visitor expresses interest in the technologies developed by ASTRI

Senior Management of ASTRI visits Zhuhai

Dr Frank Tong, CEO of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Institute (ASTRI) and Dr Meikei Ieong, CTO of ASTRI led the delegates to visit Zhuhai and had thought exchange with Mr Li Ze-zhong, Deputy Secretary of Zhuhai Municipal Committee and Mayor of Zhuhai Municipal, as well as other officials. Dr Tong introduced the latest R&D developments in ASTRI and explored the collaboration opportunities with them. Delegates also visited organisations such as Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai; Allwinner Technology Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Meizu Technology Co., Ltd and Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Co., Ltd.

Dr Frank Tong (6th from left), CEO of ASTRI and Dr Meikei Ieong (6th from right), CTO of ASTRI take photo with Mr Li Ze-zhong (7th from left), Deputy Secretary of Zhuhai Municipal Committee and Mayor of Zhuhai Municipal; and other guests

Dr Frank Tong (5th from right) and Dr Meikei Ieong (3rd from left) lead the delegates to visit Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai

Dr Frank Tong (4th from left) and Dr Meikei Ieong (3rd from the left) lead the delegates to visit Allwinner Technology Co., Ltd

Dr Frank Tong (4th from left) and Dr Meikei Ieong (2nd from left) lead the delegates to visit Zhuhai Meizu Technology Co., Ltd

Dr Frank Tong (5th from left) and Dr Meikei Ieong (4th from right) lead the delegates to visit Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Co., Ltd.

Grand Finale of Inter-Tertiary-Institute Capture the Flag (CTF) Contest 2017 HKUST team captures the checkered flag

[Hong Kong, 12 June 2017] The final round of the ‘Inter-Tertiary-Institution Capture the Flag (CTF) Contest 2017’ took place on 10 June at the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) premises. Organised jointly by ASTRI and iChunQiu.com, the contest was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and Macau.

Ten finalist teams took part in the event finale – representing the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. The contest followed an on-site ‘ethical hackathon’ format focusing on topics like web-security, cryptography and reverse engineering. In addition to demonstrating their skills, the finalists had to rely heavily on real-time team work and cooperation.

Emphasising the importance of grooming our next generation of technology-savvy professionals, Dr Frank Tong Fuk-kay, CEO of ASTRI, said “In the face of growing threats of cyber-attacks worldwide, the demand for cybersecurity is certain to surge. ASTRI is obliged to help train cybersecurity professionals for both public and private sectors to strengthen their resilience to cyber threats. The ‘Capture the Flag’ contest not only exposes the students to cybersecurity management of the real world, but it also helps pave the way for them to become real experts in the field in future.” Dr Tong thanked the programme partners and sponsors for their support, and also encouraged the participants to “retain their passion in this field and pursue the right career choice for their futures.”

The initiative was backed by ‘GovCERT.HK’ of The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), HKSAR Government. “The first-ever Inter-Tertiary-Institute CTF Contest 2017 was a commendable effort where young learners actively participated and demonstrated their skills. This also raised awareness of the importance of cybersecurity among our students,” said Ir Allen Yeung, JP, Government Chief Information Officer of the SAR. “The contest has equipped students with practical skills and experience in the field of cybersecurity. We hope students will pursue their interest in this field, and leverage their strengths by developing successful future careers,” he added.

“The CTF Contest has been a great platform to identify and nurture young cyber-talents. The first CTF contest in the Mainland took place in 2014 – the number of contests and participants have both grown exponentially there ever since. ‘CTF’ is like a spark, and I can already see the popularity and excitement of CTF in Hong Kong and Macao to go through a dramatic rise in the future. iChunQiu team is very happy to provide Hong Kong and Macao students with technical and knowledge support in this contest,” said Mr Yao Lei, Vice President of iChunQiu.com.

HKT was a diamond sponsor of the programme. Mr Larry Wong, the organisation’s Head of China Commercial and CPE Business, said that “Cybersecurity is a major challenge facing all walks of life nowadays. HKT has rich experience in dealing with cybersecurity, and we are pleased to see that young people are passionate about this contest. HKT will continue contributing to cybersecurity management, and helping young people to become skilled professionals in this field.”

“It has been very exciting and delightful to witness the first local CTF event in Hong Kong. We hope this can enhance the awareness of cybersecurity locally, and inspire our talented young generation to develop professional knowledge and skills in this specialised domain,” said Mr Ronald Pong, Dean of Hong Kong Information Security Academy – another diamond sponsor of the event.

The champion of the contest was Team VXRLNXAlpha from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology who scored the highest marks. The 1^st runner-up was Team 400 Pound Hackers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University; while the 2^nd runner-up was Team VXRLNXBeta, another team from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Launched on 7 March 2017, the CTF contest held its first-round challenge on 1-2 April where participants competed in a 36-hour, non-stop on-line challenge. 317 students from 96 teams representing 14 institutions took part in the preliminary round.

Officiating guests cheered for the contestants before the Challenge (from the 4th on the left in the front row: Ms Eunice Cheng, Director of Public Affairs, ASTRI; Ir Allen Yeung, JP, Government Chief Information Officer of HKSAR; Dr Duncan Wong, Vice President (Financial Technologies), ASTRI; and Mr Yao Lei, Vice President, iChunQiu College)

Dr Frank Tong (Middle), CEO of ASTRI takes photo with Ms Zhu Yan-fei (2^nd from left), Director, iChunQiu College and ASTRI’s working team of the event

Ms Charlene Choo (1^st from left), Head of Talent Acquisition, ASTRI presents the prize to the champion team VXRLNXAlpha from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Mr Yau Lei (1^st from left), Vice President, iChunQiu College presents the prize to the 1^st runner-up team 400 Pound Hackers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Mr Ronald Pong, Dean of Hong Kong Information Security Academy presents the prize to the 2^nd runner-up team VXRLNXBeta from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

About CTF

CTF is a globally accepted popular platform modelled as a series of simulated cyber-attacks that emulate what happens in the real-life digital space. This exciting, competitive platform gauges the students’ skills in managing information security and deterring cyber-attacks. The contest is sponsored by HKT – Hong Kong’s telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services, and Hong Kong Information Security Academy (HKISA) – a leading provider of cyber and information security insights and training, as well as Cyberworld (Asia) Ltd and FireEye. The initiative is backed by ‘GovCERT.HK’ of The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), HKSAR Government.

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technology, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. For further information about ASTRI, please visit www.astri.org

Media enquiries:

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Cherry Au (Tel: 3406 2993, email: [email protected])

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ASTRI CEO talks about developments in FinTech in Metro Finance radio channel’s ‘Financial Views on the holidays’ programme

Dr Frank Tong (on the right), CEO of ASTRI, was invited to the radio programme ‘Financial Views on the holidays’ broadcast by Metro Finance (FM104) on 30 May 2017. He discussed a number of FinTech R&D projects led by ASTRI, including cybersecurity, Blockchain and big data analytics.

Dr Tong mentioned ASTRI’s role in the Cybersecurity Fortification Initiative (CFI) pursued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and explained how the institution is driving training and certification programmes for the city’s cybersecurity professionals.

Referring to Blockchain, Dr Tong talked about the ‘Proof of Concept’ exercise on using ‘Distributed Ledger Technology’ jointly driven by HKMA and ASTRI, which can significantly simplify the traditional yet cumbersome paper-based operations of the trade finance system. The system’s real-time visibility can also help to prevent double financing fault among participating financial institutions. In the recent past, “applying Blockchain technology in the mortgage loan application process, Bank of China (Hong Kong) and ASTRI jointly developed a property valuation blockchain system which not only simplifies the entire property valuation process, but also improves cost and operational efficiency.”

For big data analytics projects, Dr Tong cited the real time IoT data analytics platform for Intelligent manufacturing. The platform provides an end-to-end real time IoT data analytics with specially designed algorithms that support industrial systems monitoring, problem detection, root cause analysis, predictive maintenance. Another project he mentioned to the audience was ‘Smart Traffic’, ASTRI leveraged its big data analytics technologies to correlate the information across multiple departments to analyse Hong Kong’s traffic situation, and generate real-time prediction of traffic status, and gauge the impact of weather on traffic.

For details of the programme, click the links below to listen (available in Cantonese only):

http://www.metroradio.com.hk/MetroFinance/Multimedia/wmpopup_archive2.asp?http://testmp3.http.akamai-trials.com/104/20170530/104_201705301130.mp3

ASTRI CTO joins Information Security Summit 2017

Information Security Summit 2017, organised during this year’s Cloud Expo Asia, took place on 24 May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The half-day event was organised by Closerstill Media, with Smart City Consortium (SCC) as one of the strategic partners. The summit attracted information and communication technology (ICT) professionals from different public and private sector organisations – the participants exchange views and ideas, and interacted with thought leaders from across the ICT industry. Dr Meikei Ieong (2nd from the left), CTO of ASTRI, joined the opening ceremony as an officiating guest.

Through this Summit, SCC and the organisers sought to bring together government agencies, regulators, business sectors and the academic community in an effort to strengthen Hong Kong’s information security management. The event was meant to facilitate adequate understanding and safeguard against information security threats from various sources.

SCC is consortium of experts and professionals from various sectors who support the Government’s efforts in formulating, improving and implementing policies and standards with regards to developing Hong Kong as a world-class smart city. As a government-funded, dynamic R&D institution, ASTRI pursues innovation and advanced research in cybersecurity as well as smart city technologies. We believe that fruitful exchanges and progress in cybersecurity will benefit the overall pace and sustainability of FinTech development in Hong Kong. We encourage local, regional and international collaboration between different stakeholders within the smart city ecosystem to promote innovation and sustainable economic growth for Hong Kong.

Delegates from Zhuhai Municipal Committee Visit ASTRI

Mr Du Zhuo (6^th from left of the front row), Deputy Secretary-General, Zhuhai Municipal Committee of the CPC led the delegates to visit ASTRI and meet Dr Frank Tong (7^th from left of the front row), CEO of ASTRI and Dr Meikei Ieong (5^th from left of the front row), CTO of ASTRI on 7 June 2017. They learnt more about ASTRI’s R&D developments and witnessed the live demonstrations on next generation network and intelligent manufacturing projects.

“Innovation and automation to drive future growth” – says ASTRI CEO at Thomson Reuters Lipper Fund Awards

At a recent event organised by Thompson Reuters and attended by the city’s fund management elites, Dr Frank Tong – ASTRI CEO – spoke on the role of digitisation and automation for the asset management industry. He touched upon the overall domain of ‘FinTech’ and discussed how innovation holds key to the future growth and sustainability of the industry. He was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the ‘Thompson Reuters Lipper Fund Awards 2017 Hong Kong’ where a total of 144 fund management firms and professionals were recognised for their consistently strong and efficient risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers.

The Awards have been in existence for more than three decades in over 20 countries worldwide. The Hong Kong award ceremony was held on 24 May 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The awards were based on Lipper’s proprietary methodology of measuring fund performance. Individual classifications of three, five, and ten-year periods, as well as fund families with high average scores for the three-year period were recognised.

In his speech, Dr Tong shared insights and predictions on the industry’s future and the drivers of those changes. He noted that the FinTech ecosystem will only become bigger, stronger and more far-reaching in the coming years. But that transformation will be “accompanied by some significant and radical changes that will redefine the role for banks, firms, bankers and advisers alike”. He discussed the big changes lying ahead for the FinTech ecosystem including a widening scope and application of FinTech beyond banking; a fast-changing regulatory framework that will affect the way firms are born, products are designed, and services are offered; a new model of collaboration with great interaction between industry players, regulators, technology firms and investors such as venture capitalists; and last but not least, an initial proliferation of FinTech players followed by consolidation and cooperation.

The future can be bright for both FinTech firms, and fund managers – if they embrace the power and potential of technology. Leveraging new technologies like Blockchain and AI, and using advanced analytics, the asset management industry can be at the epicentre of a consumer’s overall digital lifestyle. Dr Tong cited examples of artificial intelligence, large-scale automation and the proliferation of big data in the financial services sector. While “robo-advisers and digital solutions are expected to disrupt the processes, practices and careers of fund managers”, he also noted that the advent of digital tools will “allow highly-skilled and experienced professionals to concentrate more on value-adding, insightful activities.”

Dr Frank Tong (3rd from the right) toasts with guests of the award ceremony

ASTRI takes part in the 2017 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) took part in the 2017 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair from 26 to 27 May in Guangzhou. Among other innovations, ASTRI’s Automatic Meter Reading System and Smart Investment Platform were showcased in the event.

The fair was organised by National Development and Reform Commission, Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; and co-organised by the People’s Government of Guangzhou City. With the theme ‘Innovation in Guangzhou with win-win cooperation’, the fair was an international, industrial platform that attracted around 700 high-calibre exhibitors.

Over 1,300 scientific and technological innovation projects were showcased in the event which utilised more than 20,000 square metres exhibition area. The fair included more than 20 special events that displayed outstanding projects of technological excellence.

Dr Zhong Nanshan (1^st from the left), Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Prof Kam-fai Wong (2^nd from the left), Associate Dean (External Affairs), Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong visit the booth of ASTRI and meet Dr James Lei (3^rd from the left), Acting Director, Intelligent Software and Systems of ASTRI

Live demonstration on Automatic Meter Reading System

First China (Hengqin) International Quantitative Finance Contest for University Students kick-starts

Nurturing talent is one of the key elements in facilitating the development of financial industry. This is equally important for every country as financial technologies (FinTech) are greatly impacting economies around the world. Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) strives for innovative FinTech research – it is one of the major pillars in the Institute’s R&D strategy. In addition to developing advanced technological solutions, we seek to nurture future technology talents and incite interests of the next generation in science and technology.

Following the success of the ‘Smart Investment Contest’ which ASTRI co-organised with a leading bank in January 2017, ASTRI has co-organised the first ‘China (Hengqin) International Quantitative Finance Contest for University Students’. It is a collaboration with Hengqin New Area Financial Service Centre and Postgraduate Education Development Centre; Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School; and Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University. The contest officially kick-started at Zhuhai Hengqin Macau Youth Innovation Valley on 23 May 2017.

The contest is leveraging the Smart Investment Platform developed by ASTRI. Through quantitative analysis, financial big data, and internet finance, the platform enables innovation in finance and investment. The contest aims to nurture and identify both local and overseas financial talents. It also promotes financial innovation and development in Hengqin, thereby facilitating the integrated economic development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.

University students can form teams with up to four members to join the competition. The winners from preliminary rounds will enter the final contest in November 2017.

Representatives of organiser and co-organisers kick-start the First China (Hengqin) International Quantitative Finance Contest. Dr Kent Wu (2^nd from the left), Principal Engineer of ASTRI attends the launching ceremony.

Mr Spike Lee, Engineer of ASTRI introduces ASTRI’s Smart Investment Platform and shares his R&D experience on quantitative strategy.

ASTRI organises the IC Technologies and Application Seminar in Nanjing

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) jointly organised the seminar of ‘IC Technologies and its Application” in China with National ASIC System Engineering Research Center of Southeast University, Nanjing IC Industry Service Centre, and Jiangsu Institute of Electronics on 25 May 2017 at Nanjing of Jiangsu province. In the seminar, ASTRI’s R&D experts shared the latest technological achievements and applications of IC R&D area, and exchanged views with the IC industry representatives from Jiangsu.

The seminar was attended by a large number of eminent and experienced ICT specialists and researchers including Professor Shi Longxing (4th from the left), General Manager of Nanjing Institute of Integrated Circuits Co.,Ltd, Mr Bill Zhang (5th from the left), Senior Director of Mixed Signal Systems IC, ASTRI, Mr Xu Qi (5th from the right), Secretary General of Jiangsu Institute of Electronics, Mr Lu Shengli (4th from the right), Deputy Director of National Engineering Research Center for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

Mr Mike Sun, Senior Engineer of ASTRI presents the R&D project on Deep Learning Accelerator for Video and Visual Intelligence

Mr Henry Guo, Senior Manager of ASTRI presents the R&D project on Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) baseband chip technology

Mr Xie Bin, Principal Engineer of ASTRI presents the R&D project on 3D Packaging Technology for Power Electronics