|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The ConTech Accelerator, a collaborative effort between the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), successfully initiated an innovative drive in construction technology advancement.
This initiative, established in July 2022, serves as Hong Kong’s foremost platform for accelerating construction technology (ConTech) trials and fostering their integration across local projects. It bridges the realms of technology startups and established corporates, channelling their collective potential toward enhancing safety, sustainability, and productivity within the construction sector.
With a clear focus on driving innovation and progress, the Accelerator brings together HKSTP’s tech ecosystem and CIC’s well-established corporate network. The program’s inaugural phase witnessed the convergence of over 165 industry challenges pinpointed by 20 key contractors, signalling potential areas where technology solutions could be applied. The outcome was remarkable, resulting in 211 tailor-made solutions, of which 85.7% originated locally and the remaining 14.3% hailed from overseas. This feat was achieved through a series of 126 targeted business matching sessions.
Among the standout success stories is a prominent video analytics provider in Southeast Asia. Leveraging the accelerator program, the provider forged partnerships with two corporate contractors, leading to the integration of their solutions across nine local construction sites.
This accomplishment underscores the program’s ability to attract cutting-edge solutions from both domestic and international sources, thus amplifying the awareness and adoption of advanced technologies in Hong Kong. In fact, the provider is now contemplating establishing a local presence to further contribute to the region’s tech landscape.
Another noteworthy breakthrough comes in the form of a smartwatch developed collaboratively by a corporate contractor and Team Concepts. This wearable device, equipped with features like heat stroke prediction and location tracking, emerged from a three-month testing phase at a construction site. The insights gained from this trial have informed refinements, and the technology is now operational at a partner’s site, with ongoing development aimed at incorporating hazardous gas detection capabilities.
Acknowledging the importance of collaborative support, the ConTech Accelerator garnered backing from a leading tech enabler and an additional 20 corporate partners. This collaborative network facilitated connections with local and global tech ventures, illustrating a united effort to drive technological progress within Hong Kong’s construction industry. As HKSTP’s CEO emphasised, this initiative is propelling the future of construction in Hong Kong, promising world-class safety, sustainability, and productivity through cutting-edge innovation.
The ConTech Accelerator aligns with various technology-driven initiatives put forth by the Hong Kong government. This convergence underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development within the region.
For example, it resonates with Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint, which aims to transform the city into a technology-driven and sustainable urban environment. By focusing on safety, sustainability, and productivity in the construction sector, the accelerator directly contributes to the blueprint’s objectives by integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance the city’s infrastructure.
In addition, the Hong Kong government’s Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) promotes the development and application of innovative technologies across various sectors. The ConTech Accelerator echoes this vision by fostering collaborations between startups, tech ventures, and corporate partners, effectively translating innovative ideas into practical solutions that address real challenges in the construction industry.
The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), established to drive technological advancements in the construction sector, complements the ConTech Accelerator’s focus on fostering technology trials and adoption. By catalysing partnerships and providing a platform for technology-driven solutions, both initiatives synergistically contribute to modernising the construction industry.
The Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies (LSCM R&D Centre), a government-supported initiative, emphasises technology innovation in logistics and supply chain management. The ConTech Accelerator indirectly aligns with this focus by integrating advanced logistics and supply chain technologies into the construction sector, optimising processes and resource utilisation.
