The incubatees at Hong Kong’s Smart Government Innovation Lab have sustained their releases of novel and relevant innovations despite COVID-19 creating a rather unfavourable economic environment.
Recently another of the Lab’s firms, Gianthouse, announced their solution which is now ready to be acquired by companies and institutions.
Solution description
The first solution was developed by Gianthouse, a firm that specialises in providing customised mobile development service using hybrid development framework, namely, React Native.
The mobile app developed using a hybrid framework is operable on both iOS and Android – the most commonly used operating systems of mobile devices.
This reduces the development cost of mobile apps significantly as only one app that can fit into two operating systems is developed, instead of developing two native apps separating for iOS and Android.
In a product development cycle, the firm first collected and discussed the requirements with users, and then designed the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for the application.
Later, the firm began to implement the software and run sprint cycles to build and test the app. Once the development is completed, the project will be launched and move to the maintenance phase.
In addition, the firm has adopted a mixture of the waterfall and agile approach as a development methodology. The agile approach is used in software development to promote velocity and adaptability – the benefits of this approach are that adjustments can be made along the product development cycle rather than following a strict waterfall path.
One of the aims of an agile approach is to reduce the development costs and shorten the prototyping process.
Application areas
The solution can be applied across a variety of areas including Broadcasting, City Management, Climate and Weather, Commerce and Industry, Development, Education, Employment and Labour, Environment, Finance, Food, Health, Housing, Infrastructure, Law and Security, Population, Recreation and Culture, Social Welfare as well as Transport.
Technologies Used
This solution employs Mobile Technologies and Robotic Process Automation.
Use Case
Given the popularity of the mobile device, mobile applications can be applied to different areas according to the user need.
One of the firm’s project, called Praise-HK, is a smart city mobile application that they collaborate with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for providing real-time and forecast air quality and health risk information in Hong Kong at street-level.
The app allows an admin user to collect information, such as daily route, preferences and health information from users. The information collected will be analysed by an admin user in the backend.
With the use of hybrid development framework, the development cost and time required are reduced significantly. Development cost is lowered by half since only one mobile app is developed instead of two. Along the development process, prototypes are released more frequently, and the result is lowering the time-to-market of the app.
About the Smart Government Innovation Lab
The HKSAR Government established the Smart Government Innovation Lab in 2018 to explore hi-tech products such as AI and relevant technologies, including machine learning, big data analytics, cognitive systems and intelligent agent, as well as blockchain and robotics from firms, especially local start-ups.
The Lab is always on the lookout for innovation and technology (I&T) solutions that are conducive to enhancing public services or their operational effectiveness.
I&T suppliers are encouraged to regularly visit the Lab’s website to check on the current business and operational needs in public service delivery and propose innovative solutions or product suggestions to address them.
