Press Release

As computers become faster, sharper and more sophisticated, research and development in the field of AI has also gained strong momentum. AI has already been applied to many tools and applications including personal and commercial appliances – with an aim to make lives better and easier for people. Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET) recently spoke to Dr Frank Tong, CEO of ASTRI, about the future development of AI. In a story published on Friday, 19 May 2017, HKET quoted Dr Tong and reported how advanced AI – similar to ‘Internet+’ – is widening its applicability and relevance. Dr Tong discussed the ever-increasing number of applications, where the ‘AI+’ concept is being applied, such as identity management, biometric authentication, text and voice recognition etc.

 

With rapid advancement of science and technology, and the significant investment from the business sector in ‘AI’, Dr Tong believes that “traditional business models will evolve in future, making room for smarter, faster and more automated services.” We can expect to see more companies switching to ‘open source’ data, opening up possibilities for different industry players to build new projects based on their platforms.

 

AI is already a ‘hot topic’ in the business and technology sectors. Experts now refer to AI as a compatible technology that can enhance and transform many different aspects of our daily lives. It has the potential to create tremendous value for the market. Dr Tong emphasised the need for Hong Kong to “invest in AI R&D, and commercialise it across various sectors with an aim to uplift the competitiveness of the SAR.”

 

To read the whole interview (available in Chinese only), please click here.

(Source: Hong Kong Economic Times published on 19 May 2017)

Delegation of Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality and Commission of Legislative Affairs, Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress visited ASTRI on 24 May 2017 and met Dr Frank Tong (4^th from the left), CEO of ASTRI; Dr Meikei Ieong (3^rd from the left), CTO of ASTRI and Mr Li Yu-kei, Senior Director, Advanced Digital Systems to discuss about the R&D developments in ASTRI. They have also witnessed the live demonstrations on next generation network and smart manufacturing R&D projects. Delegates included Dr Rao Minghui (1^st from the left), Principal Staff Member Commission of Legislative Affairs, Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress; Ms Zhong Yun (2^nd from the left), Section Chief, Coordination Department, Administrative Center of Shenzhen Virtual University Park, The National University Science Park; Mr Shan Xinhua (4^th from right), Assistant Counsel, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality; Ms Xiong Qiubing (3^rd from the right), Consultant, Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress; Mr Zhang Ling (2^nd from the right), Deputy Director, Commission of Legislative Affairs, Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress; and Dr Xiong Yigong (1^st from the right), Shenzhen Lingnan Public Management Research Institute.

Dr Hua Su (4^th from the left in the first row), President and Managing Director, Infineon China; and Mr Tan Chee How (5^th from the right in the first row), Director, PMM, Infineon China led the delegation to visit ASTRI on 24 May 2017. The delegation was accompanied by a group of journalists from Germany and Austria who joined the visit. From ASTRI, Dr Meikei Ieong (5^th from the left in the first row), CTO and Dr Justin Chuang (6^th from the right in the first row), Vice President (Next Generation Network) exchanged views with the delegates and briefed them on the latest R&D developments in the region. The visit itinerary also included live demonstrations on power module and wireless charging prototype with Infineon device, cellular vehicle to everything (V2X) and head mount display etc.

 

Delegate experiences the Augmented Reality (AR) Head Mount Display in the lab

Mr Matthias Hölling (Middle), Team Leader of Foundation Affairs, Technopark Zurich led the delegates to visit ASTRI on 23 May 2017 and meet Dr Frank Tong (5^th from the left), CEO of ASTRI; Dr Meikei Ieong (4^th from the right) and other R&D experts. They discussed about R&D developments in ASTRI and learnt the R&D projects on Smart Parking Solution, Big Data Analytics and Smart Behavior Analytics.

Delegates from Chinese Academy of Engineering visited ASTRI on 23 May 2017 and discussed the R&D developments of ASTRI with Dr Frank Tong (3^rd from the left), CEO of ASTRI. They have also learnt more about the R&D projects on Big Data Analytics, Blockchain and Cybersecurity. Delegates included Mr Gan Yong (3^rd from the right), Former Vice President of Chinese Academy of Engineering; Mr Zhang Keke (2^nd from the left), Executive President, Development Institute of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Production and Research; Mr Xiao Lijun (1^st from the left), Engineer, China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group (CISRI); and Ms Lyu Tong (1^st from the right), Project Officer, Strategic Studies Center, Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Mr Han Zhi-hong (9^th from the left of the 2^nd row), Director of Bureau of Science Technology Industry and Information of Yuexiu District, Guangzhou led the delegation of Technology Enterprises from Guangzhou, whom participated in the training of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, to visit ASTRI on 23 May 2017 and meet Dr Meikei Ieong (7^th from the right of the 2^nd row), CTO of ASTRI, Dr Justin Chuang (8^th from the right of the 2^nd row), Vice President (Next Generation Network) of ASTRI and other R&D experts. They understood more about the R&D projects on Big Data Analytics, Smart Investment Platform and Spectacles-free 3D Display Technology.

On Saturday, 20 May 2017, the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) organised Computer Science Challenge (CSC) – an exciting ‘learn-while-you-play’ contest for secondary school students in the city. Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) seeks to promote STEM education and help unleash the potential of the next generation. Partnering with CityU, ASTRI was a Platinum Sponsor in the CSC contest that tested the students’ ability and knowledge in different areas of computer science. Students learnt to code, explored computational thinking skills, and had fun with mathematics!

 

Dr Frank Tong, CEO of ASTRI, witnessed the enthusiastic performance from the talented students, and attended the award presentation ceremony. 180 students from 66 secondary schools competed for the 20 prizes and the championship in the contest. In its second year, the CSC contest was a fun challenge for the young learners – with two-member teams representing various schools, it was a very vibrant and competitive event. The teams took on three types of challenges: algebra game challenge, ‘save the animal’ programming challenge, and ‘Robot A-maze-in’ challenge.

 

We live in a digital world – with computers impacting all aspects of our lives from banking, medicine, entertainment to retail. While our students surely know how to use computers, they rarely learn how it works. To lead Hong Kong in the 21st century, students must understand the principles and practices of computer science, in order to innovate, succeed and thrive. The CSC challenge sought to promote the students’ interest in computer science as well as in the overall field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

 

  

Teams discussing how to tackle challenges

 

Dr Frank Tong, CEO of ASTRI (middle) presented the prize to one of the awarding teams

 

Dr Tan Chee Wei, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science (1^st from the right) introduced the challenge mechanics to Dr Frank Tong (1^st from the left), Hon Charles Mok, JP (2^nd from the right) and another guest.

The 8^th edition of the Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, took place from 16 to 18 May this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) took part with an R&D expert from the Institute speaking at a seminar in the event.

 

Ms Alice Chow, Manager of Optoelectronics, ASTRI, was invited to speak at the seminar on ‘The Hottest Trends Revolutionising the Medical and Healthcare Device Industries’. The seminar has attracted over 80 audiences. Ms Chow talked about the R&D healthcare projects pursued by ASTRI, including uniquely-packaged health monitoring devices, user-friendly software systems designed for elderly care, and interactive displays for elderly training to enhance their quality of lives and functional capacities. Ms Chow also discussed ASTRI’s various on-going healthcare projects in areas such as food safety monitoring and robot companions for the elderly.

 

The fair attracted 270 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions. Featuring more than 15 thematic zones, the fair presented a wide spectrum of medical and healthcare devices and services, providing an important business platform for the healthcare industry.

 

 

Critical Communications World is one of the leading conferences and exhibitions in the field of communications technologies. Its 2017 edition was held at Asia World Expo Hong Kong from 16 to 18 May, in its 19th year. Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) took part in the event.

Dr Justin Chuang, Vice President (Next Generation Network) of ASTRI was invited as a guest speaker in the conference. He delivered a presentation on ‘4G and Beyond for Critical Communications’ and shared some next generation network R&D projects pursued by ASTRI.

The event attracted over 3,500 critical communications professionals in total. Over 150 exhibitors participated to showcase their latest solutions and more than 175 global speakers exchanged their thoughts on the latest developments in critical communications. Other local speakers included representatives from Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong International Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delegates led by Dr Bo Pi (Middle), CTO of Goodix Technology Inc visited ASTRI on 18 May 2017. They discussed and exchanged thoughts with Dr Meikei Ieong (4^th from the left), CTO of ASTRI, Mr Bill Zhang (3^rd form the right), Senior Director (Mixed Signal Systems IC) and other R&D experts regarding Mixed Signal Systems IC and Advanced Digital Systems projects.