Business Daily Media

Hong Kong's R&D Receives International Recognition HKPC's "InspecSpider" Wins Prestigious "Edison Award" in Innovation Field

Hong Kong's First High-mast Lighting Inspection and Maintenance Robot Enables Intelligent Transformation in the Infrastructure Industry

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 April 2024 - The Edison Awards, known as the "Oscars of Innovation", have announced the results for 2024.

"InspecSpider", jointly developed by HKPC and Green Light Multiplex Co. Ltd., has been awarded the Silver Award in the category of "Innovative Robotics Solution". This achievement solidifies HKPC's position as a world-class R&D endeavor, following the success of winning one Silver and two Bronze Awards at the 2023 Edison Awards. "InspecSpider" uses advanced technologies such as robotics, wireless communication, and testing technology to promote the intelligence and digitisation of inspection and maintenance in traditional infrastructure industries, greatly improving the accuracy, efficiency and safety of inspection while reducing the costs associated with aloft work. This innovative R&D stood out from nearly 400 competing technologies and products vying for recognition at the Edison Awards this year. Its impact has resonated internationally, alongside the likes of Abbott, Adobe, Dow, Dupont, Lenovo, LG Innotek, and other research institutions and enterprises. It serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment to excellence and globally recognised research standards upheld by the HKPC team.

"InspecSpider", jointly developed by HKPC and Green Light Multiplex Co. Ltd., wins the Silver Award of the 2024 Edison Awards in the category of "Innovative Robotics Solution”. "InspecSpider" uses core technologies such as robotics, wireless communication, artificial intelligence image analysis and testing technology to promote the intelligence and digitisation of inspection and maintenance in traditional infrastructure industries, greatly improving the accuracy, efficiency and safety of inspection.

"InspecSpider" is the first innovative robotic solution in Hong Kong for the detection and maintenance of rust in high
mast lightings. It can be applied in various infrastructure scenarios such as airports, bridges, stadiums, highways, and tunnels. If the rust on high-mast lighting is not promptly addressed, it can lead to significant threats to the safety of vehicles and pedestrians, such as metal surface peeling and even collapse of the light poles. The robot's flexible operating mode eliminates the need for workers to work aloft, replaces manual inspection work, and simplifies the road closure application process required for traditional manual inspection, minimised the economic impact and inconvenience caused by road closure. The "InspecSpider" has been field-tested at the Hong Kong International Airport, and overseas airport is also interested in introducing the technology and commencing technology docking. The core technologies used in the R&D project are expected to be used in other scenarios in the future, including water canals, bridges, nuclear power plants, etc., replacing manual inspection and enabling the upgrading and transformation of more facility-related traditional industries. The "InspecSpider" will also be exhibited for the first time in HKPC's upcoming "AI Applications Hall" to strengthen exchanges with industry, academia, and research sectors and accelerate the commercialisation of more R&D achievements.

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, said, "We are honoured that HKPC's groundbreaking R&D 'InspecSpider' has been awarded the Silver Award of the 2024 Edison Awards. This marks the second consecutive year that HKPC has been acknowledged by this esteemed global scientific research award. HKPC's young and energetic R&D team, who dare to think and experiment, work closely with industry partners to continuously improve, and optimise, and have successfully developed this 'InspecSpider', which is a successful example of HKPC as a leading market-oriented R&D institution, supporting the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries. It stands as a shining example of HKPC's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for young R&D talents from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas. By providing an excellent platform for these talents to unleash their creativity and technical expertise, and by encouraging cross-technology and cross-team collaboration, HKPC addresses industry pain points and delivers impactful solutions. Moving forward, HKPC remains dedicated to deepening collaboration with the country and the HKSAR Government to accelerate the development of new productive forces, promote new industrialisation, and achieve high-quality development. Based on the four key elements of innovation, high quality, green and talent, HKPC will leverage advanced technology, future talent training, and Government funding schemes to help more industries move towards high-end, intelligent, and green. It will deepen cooperation and exchanges with top scientific research institutions at home and abroad, nurture more I&T talents, and fully support Hong Kong in becoming an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city."

The "InspecSpider" can climb vertically on hexagonal-shaped high mast with height up to 35 metres above the ground and use a 360-degree camera to inspect and record the rust condition of the high mast. Engineers can inspect on the ground by wire and wireless control and the results of the analysis will be displayed in a central monitoring system. In addition, the "InspecSpider" has taken a belt and braces approach, if the wireless network connection is not strong enough in the air and the robot cannot receive the engineer's command from the ground, the robot has a backup transmission system to return to the ground smoothly. At present, HKPC is actively developing "InspecSpider 2.0" and developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system based on the first generation of "InspecSpider" to determine the rust condition of high mast and automatically score them. The photographs and videos will be processed and produced a panorama revealing the complete rust condition of the high mast, and the analysis will include the specific size of the corrosion and the percentage of the corrosion area, so that the industry can take corresponding maintenance measures according to the level of rust.

The Edison Awards is first held in 1987. It is one of the world's most prestigious science and technology awards to recognise outstanding scientific research achievements and products with originality, creativity and advanced technology. The awards are judged by Edison Universe, a non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting innovative thinking. Past award winners include Genentech, General Electric, General Motors, GoPro, IBM, NVIDIA and others.

For more information about the 2024 Edison Awards, please visit: https://edisonawards.com/

Video
Captions:
1. During the R&D process of producing the "InspecSpider", the HKPC team has continuously improved and perfected the technology from design to production. After countless attempts and reliability tests, the "InspecSpider" has been successfully developed, turning ideas into actual scientific research applications, demonstrating HKPC's spirit as a core driver and promoter of Hong Kong's development of new productivity forces and new industrialisation.

https://hkpc-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/matthewhau_hkpc_org/EoFlWhHqFwJFv_YlZtT-Th8B05Gf1fev_uHf9BiMkC5u8Q?e=26xtQX
Hashtag: #HongKongProductivityCouncil

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a market-driven applied research and development organisation, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises, enabling them to achieve resources and productivity utilisation, effectiveness and cost reduction, and enhance competitiveness in both local and overseas marketplace. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to develop applied technology solutions for value creation. It also benefits a variety of sectors through product innovation, technology transfer, and commercialisation, bringing enormous business opportunities ahead. HKPC's world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.

In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment, and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong's competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and STEM competencies.

For more information, please visit HKPC's website: www.hkpc.org/en.

News from Asia

Ascott activates Citadines brand experience via inaugural global partnership with ClassPass to provide enhanced access to world's largest fitness platform

Guests can also look forward to refreshing ways to enjoy their favourite cuppa under Citadines brand signature ‘For the Love of Coffee’ SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 October...

Siam Piwat Celebrates 12 Years of Creative Partnership With Thawan Duchanee

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 October 2024 - In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Thawan Duchanee Day on 27 September 2024, Siam Piwat Group is proud to present the exhib...

Top CEOs navigate global turbulence by betting big on AI, says KPMG

Tenth anniversary of the KPMG CEO Outlook shows that despite CEO confidence in the growth prospects of the economy declining since 2015, 72 percent of CEOs remain confident...

ISCA Partners COC to Launch New AML and CFT Initiatives to Enhance Charities Sector’s Financial Governance and Resilience

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 October 2024 - Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong announced that the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accounta...

Trend Micro Warns Devices and Accounts are Highest-Risk Assets

Cyber Risk Report highlights critical vulnerability, offers new ways to prioritize risk management HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 October 2024 - Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; ...

"Panda’s World" Photography Exhibition of Giant Pandas Grandly Opens in Paris, France

PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire – 2 October 2024 - On September 24, 2024, the third stop of the cultural exchange event featuring Panda Wandering, "Panda's World" photography exhibition o...

Caladan Announces Options and Structured Products Desk

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 October 2024 - Leading digital asset trading group Caladan is proud to announce the opening of its over-the-counter crypto options desk to offer crypto stru...

Novo Nordisk Gulf receives prestigious Best Places to Work Certification in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman for 2024

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 October 2024 – Novo Nordisk Gulf, a leading global healthcare company, has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for 2024 acro...

Graphisoft introduces 2024 product lineup

Archicad users can design sustainable and better-performing buildings in less time with intelligent digital design solutions SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 October 2024 - Graphisoft, th...

One Futureworld Unveils Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Premium Quality Lifestyle Earbuds Meet Down-to-Earth Price

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire - 26 September 2024 – One Futureworld, Bose’s Authorised Distributor in Singapore, is proud to announce the launch of the highly anticipated new Bose QuietComfo...

Tips for selecting your large house number for visibility

House numbers are a crucial part of any home, both in design and for practical reasons. We have all been there, trying to find a friend’s house or...

Property

On a Budget: Why Renting is the Popular Option for a Home

While owning a home is frequently viewed as a symbol of stability, independence, and success, this may only be true for some. When it comes to a lim...

Property

Pearl Beach Home purchased for £78 sells for $2.5million

Never before have Central Coast properties been so in demand. We have seen prices soar with many bidders far exceeding asking prices just to secur...

Property

9 Reasons To Hire An SEO Agency in Sydney

Businesses across Sydney are now quickly coming out of lockdown. With 2022 just around the corner, it’s important that businesses adapt to the new...

Business Training

How you can prepare yourself for your career before you have left high school

Knowing exactly what career you want for yourself when you leave high school is great as it will give you time to make sure that you build the rig...

Business Training

Tips to Keep Your Business Competitive in Today’s Digital Age

Sydney is known to be a startup hub because of the attractive opportunities for business-minded people and the perks of living in the city. Innovati...

Business Training