|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Housing Bureau (HB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to harness innovative technology solutions for the betterment of construction efficiency, safety, and property management processes.
To advance construction and property management, ASTRI and the HB will co-develop cutting-edge solutions using innovative technologies. The signatories of the MoU, including the Permanent Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing and the Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI envision a collaborative effort that leverages ASTRI’s expertise in research and development (R&D) and the application of innovative technologies to address challenges in the construction and property management domains.
The Secretary for Housing emphasised the Housing Bureau’s proactive approach to embracing advanced technologies to enhance safety and efficiency, optimising property management. The collaboration with ASTRI, known for its R&D capabilities, is expected to significantly enhance quality and efficiency in construction, estate management, and customer services.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry expressed the Innovation and Technology Bureau’s support for the Housing Bureau’s integration of innovation and technology (I&T) solutions into construction and property management.
The collaboration with ASTRI, with its track record in transferring R&D deliverables in Hong Kong and the Mainland, is seen as a catalyst for cross-sectoral collaboration, accelerating the transfer of R&D and fostering new opportunities for Hong Kong’s I&T development in housing.
The Chairman of ASTRI highlighted the collaboration as a pivotal moment in Hong Kong’s construction and property management development. He emphasised the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G communication, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and optical sensing, which would contribute to improved construction efficiency, worker and site safety, and energy conservation. These technologies, according to Lee, also play a role in reducing environmental impact and fostering the smart city development of Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The CEO of ASTRI expressed delight in collaborating with the Housing Bureau to create a more liveable environment through innovative technologies. He highlighted the potential of the collaboration in addressing future housing needs and promoting technologies to the Mainland and global markets. In construction and property management, the adoption of technology can simplify tasks, reduce the workforce needed, and ensure precise and secure task completion.
The vision outlined in the 2023 Policy Address for a liveable, innovative, and green Hong Kong serves as the backdrop for this collaboration. The Housing Authority’s upcoming pilot scheme in selected Smart Estates, focusing on the adoption of innovative technologies, aligns with the goals of the MOU.
The collaboration between ASTRI and the Housing Department is poised to promote the development of innovative technologies, with the first batch of technologies under consideration including:
- Smart Optical Sensing for High Precision Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Positioning: This technology utilises smart optical sensing, positioning tracking, edge AI, and other technologies to analyse real-time data from dynamic visual sensors. The aim is to calculate the precise location of MiC modules for installation, minimising physical tasks and enhancing site safety, especially in challenging environments.
- Enhanced 5G Coverage for Remote Crane Control: Deploying a low-latency and reliable 5G private network solution with advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology on-site supports a massive number of device connections, enabling remote control of cranes. This implementation facilitates real-time safety and progress monitoring, thereby lowering safety risks for workers and improving the accuracy of crane tasks.
- Universal AI Predictive Maintenance System for Lifts: Leveraging IoT data, this system analyses and develops an AI system capable of predicting lift breakdown patterns. Compatible with lifts from various manufacturers, the AI Predictive Maintenance System reduces lift downtime by enabling more efficient on-site maintenance checks through remote, real-time monitoring and accurate breakdown prediction, thereby enhancing the quality of property management services.
