Our Milestone | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

Major Milestones

Technological Achievements

APR 2000 - ASTRI

In April 2000, HKSAR Government announced the establishment of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI).

2001 - Begins operation

In 2001, ASTRI began operation.

JUN 2003 - First revenue

In June 2003, ASTRI recorded its first revenue.

APR 2004 - First spin-off

In April 2004, ASTRI completed the first spin-off of its photonic technologies company to SAE Magnetics.

APR 2005 - First US patent

In April 2005, ASTRI was granted its first US patent.

DEC 2005 - Wireless technologies transferred

In December 2005, ASTRI transferred wireless technologies for industry applications.

APR 2006 - WiFi technologies transferred

In April 2006, ASTRI transferred WiFi technologies for industry applications.

APR 2006 - The Hong Kong R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies

In April 2006, the Innovation and Technology Commission designated ASTRI as the Hong Kong R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies.

2008 - ASTRI Science and Technology Research (Shenzhen) Co Ltd established

In 2008, ASTRI established a wholly-owned subsidiary, the ASTRI Science and Technology Research (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, in Shenzhen.

DEC 2008 - First patent in China

In December 2008, ASTRI was granted its first patent in China.

2009 - Patents increased to 50

By 2009, ASTRI’s cumulative number of patents had increased to 50.

2012 - CNERC established

In 2012, ASTRI partnered with Southeast University to establish the Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit System (CNERC), with the approval from the State Ministry of Science and Technology.

MAR 2015 - Patents increased to over 500

By March 2015, the cumulative number of patents granted to ASTRI exceeded 500.

JUN 2016 - Summer Internship Programme launched

In June 2016, ASTRI launched the Summer Internship Programme, training a total of 37 interns.

JUN 2016 - Joint Research and Development Centre established

In June 2016, ASTRI and Marvel Digital Limited established the Joint Research and Development Centre, scaling new heights in research on 3D imaging and other innovations.

JUL 2016 - Cyber Range Laboratory set up

In July 2016, ASTRI and the Hong Kong Police Force jointly set up a Cyber Range Laboratory to provide cybersecurity training services.

SEP 2016 - Joint laboratory established

In September 2016, ASTRI and Nantong Industrial Technology Institute established a joint laboratory focusing on R&D of the next-generation wireless network solutions.

NOV 2016 - White paper

In November 2016, Hong Kong Monetary Authority commissioned ASTRI to conduct research on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and published a white paper.

MAR 2017 - Digital identity solutions developed

In March 2017, ASTRI and TransUnion jointly developed digital identity solutions to help financial institutions streamline their Know-Your-Customer compliance processes and enhance operational efficiency.

JUL 2018 - Third-Generation Semiconductor Power Electronics Technology Roadmap

In July 2018, ASTRI contributed to the compilation of Mainland China’s first Third-Generation Semiconductor Power Electronics Technology Roadmap.

SEP 2018 - Agreement with Huawei Technology Co Ltd

In September 2018, ASTRI and Huawei Technology Co Ltd sign an agreement to set up a joint connected vehicle (C-V2X) research group.

NOV 2019 - Technovation Summit

In November 2019, ASTRI organised the Technovation Summit, bringing together leading minds in innovation and technology to share insights on developing smart solutions for the future.

JAN 2022 - FinTech Future Leader Academy established

In January 2022, ASTRI established the FinTech Future Leader Academy to cultivate I&T talent.

MAR 2022 - Top Technology Scholar Programme launched

In March 2022, ASTRI launched the Top Technology Scholar Programme, offering career promotion plans and scholarships to attract and retain talent.

NOV 2022 - Microelectronics Technology Consortium established

In November 2022, ASTRI established the Microelectronics Technology Consortium.

JAN 2023 - ASTRI WORK-STUDY Programme (PhD) launched

Starting from January 2023, ASTRI collaborated with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to launch the ASTRI WORK-STUDY Programme (PhD).

APR 2023 - Smart Mobility Technology (C-V2X) Alliance established

In April 2023, ASTRI established the Smart Mobility Technology (C-V2X) Alliance.

APR 2023 - ASTRI’s Technovation Centre opened

In April 2023, ASTRI’s Technovation Centre opened, providing an I&T networking platform to showcase Hong Kong’s leading R&D achievements.

JUN 2023 - MoU with MTR Corporation

In June 2023, ASTRI and MTR Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore innovative solutions and technology applications for smart railways.

NOV 2023 - MoU with Housing Bureau

In November 2023, ASTRI and Housing Bureau signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore innovative technology solutions for enhancing construction efficiency and safety, as well as optimising property management processes.

JAN 2024 - ASTRI Science and Technology Research (Shenzhen) Co Ltd relocated to Futian

In January 2024, ASTRI Science and Technology Research (Shenzhen) Co Ltd relocated to Futian, becoming the first Hong Kong R&D Centre to establish a presence in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.

FEB 2024 - FinTech & ESG Alliance established

In February 2024, ASTRI established the FinTech & ESG Alliance.

MAR 2024 - Contract signing and MoU with the National Science and Technology Development Agency and the National Credit Bureau Company Limited respectively

In March 2024, ASTRI signed a contract and a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Science and Technology Development Agency and the National Credit Bureau Company Limited respectively in Thailand to collaborate in smart mobility, FinTech, AI and more.

2024 - Patents increased to 1,100

By 2024, ASTRI’s cumulative number of patents granted had exceeded 1,100.

APR 2024 - Research report on Hong Kong Connected & Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Development

In April 2024, ASTRI published its first research report on Hong Kong Connected & Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Development.

JUN 2024 - MoU with the Immigration Department

In June 2024, ASTRI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Immigration Department to promote the utilisation of innovative technologies for providing high-quality and efficient public services.

JUN 2024 - Cross-border smart connected autonomous vehicle driving test

In June 2024, ASTRI launched the cross-border smart connected autonomous vehicle driving test in Shenzhen Hetao.

JUL 2024 - ConTech & PropTech Alliance established

In July 2024, ASTRI established the ConTech & PropTech Alliance.

OCT 2024

In October 2024, the new office of ASTRI Science and Technology Research (Shenzhen) Co Ltd at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone officially opened.

NOV 2024 - MoU with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers

In November 2024, ASTRI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) to support the digital transformation of Malaysia’s diverse industries.

2025 - ASTRI celebrates 25th anniversary

In 2025, ASTRI celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

2026 – ASTRI merged with NAMI

With enhanced scale and capabilities following the merger with NAMI, ASTRI is uniquely positioned to elevate Hong Kong’s innovation capacity, accelerate technology commercialisation, and drive societal and economic progress through world class applied research.

More about ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is founded in 2000 by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As Hong Kong’s largest government-funded research and development centre, ASTRI is a key force and super connector driving innovation and technology advancement in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the global innovation ecosystem. This role is strengthened through its merger with Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI).

Committed to bringing high impact research from lab to market, ASTRI advances interdisciplinary, market driven R&D that delivers practical innovations for industry and meaningful benefits for society.

Its technological strengths and capabilities enable AI powered, cross disciplinary ICT and advanced materials solutions across Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies.

Over the years, ASTRI has cultivated a strong pool of I&T talent and earned numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations and contributions to industry and the community. Following the merger with NAMI, ASTRI’s cumulative global patent portfolio has grown to over 1,500, with more than 2,200 technologies successfully transferred to industry.

With enhanced scale and capabilities, ASTRI is uniquely positioned to elevate Hong Kong’s innovation capacity, accelerate technology commercialisation, and drive societal and economic progress through world class applied research.