網上版請按此
People oriented design
Speaking of the high-profile artificial intelligence (AI) startups in Hong Kong, it is of course impossible to miss out the LifeSparrow Solutions, a company that made a name for itself in October last year by using AI software to assist the Fire Services Department in quickly analysing aerial photos to locate a missing secondary school student.
The AI analysis system, developed by a group of local graduates of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, can analyse more than 1,000 aerial photos and reconnoiter human bodies within two hours, compared with the eight hours required in the past, greatly improving the efficiency of search and rescue operations. This startup has been selected for our Esri Startup Program, which awards free access to geographic information system (GIS) software and training. This year, the team was named 30 Under 30 of Forbes Asia's 2024, and the three founders are all only 25 years old.
Another startup, also founded by PolyU graduates, may also be known in the future. Why? Like many developed economies, Hong Kong has already become a super-aged society, with more than 20% of the citizens as elderly by 2022. From time to time, we see electric wheelchair users on the streets, but going up and down stairs still presents a challenge. Further, battery life is also an issue.
Founded in 2022, Libpet Tech has one member whose father lost both legs in a car accident, making daily life challenging. Millions of people around the world face the same issue. This has motivated the company to develop a unique track system to cope with different terrains such as grass, sand, and even up and down stairs. Chief Executive Officer Xu Huafeng Jojo pointed out that their electric wheelchairs are not only flexible, stable and comfortable, but also good looking.
The ability of electric wheelchairs to navigate up and down stairs is the company's key selling point. The technologies such as mechanics, bionics and AI for the internet of things (AIoT) create a collision prevention system using lenses, infrared and ultrasound waves to ensure user safety. When going up and down the stairs, the wheelchair will switch from the original four-wheeled travel mode to a track mode, and resume four-wheeled mode upon returning to flat ground, saving electricity. The wheelchair can have a range of up to 36 km after charging for 5 hours.
On the other hand, sitting in a wheelchair for a long time may cause deep vein thrombosis, so the newly designed adjustment system is ergonomic to transfer the pressure originally concentrated in the user's feet to the back to help maintain blood circulation.
I got to know the team two years ago which was one of the awardees in the newly established Dr Winnie S M Tang-PolyU Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship Scholarship. The scholarship encourages students to apply innovative solutions for real-world problems. It is gratifying to know that the product has attracted the attention of many dealers around the world since its launch, and I hope that they will continue to strive for excellence and continue to deliver happiness for our future mobility.
Dr. Winnie Tang
Adjunct Professor, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering; Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences; and Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong