ASTRI and Airport Authority Set Up Joint Research and Development Centre To Help Transform Hong Kong International Airport into Smart Airport

[Hong Kong, 7 July 2016] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today signed an agreement to establish the “ASTRI-HKIA Joint Research and Development Centre for Smart Airport” (Centre). The Centre will focus on the research on a number of new technologies that could help transform Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) into a smart airport, and Hong Kong into a smart city.

ASTRI is the largest technology R&D institute in Hong Kong with more than 400 R&D experts coming from renowned local, national and overseas universities. ASTRI is committed to research and development, and made achievements in a number of areas, including wireless communications technologies, big data analytics, cyber security and intelligent manufacturing. These technologies have been widely applied in different industries.

The Centre will conduct proofs of concept to confirm the feasibility of applying a series of ASTRI’s technologies to future airport management that can increase the airport’s connectivity, security and intelligence. They are also meant to enable the airport to become smarter in areas including construction, operations, services, security and business qualities. The Centre will also look at the AA’s existing technologies and data, and explore the use of new technologies and innovations in 6 major areas, including passenger flow and operations, airfield and baggage operations, and airport safety and security.

Furthermore, based on the 5-year and 10-year technology roadmaps of HKIA, ASTRI will provide directions as to how the airport can move towards a smart airport by introducing wireless technologies, big data analytics and artificial intelligence.

“A smart airport is the epitome of a smart city. ASTRI’s technologies, if applied to HKIA, will not only turn it into a smart airport, but also facilitate Hong Kong’s development towards becoming a smart city,” said ASTRI’s Chairman Mr. Wong Ming-yam, BBS, JP.

“To maintain the airport’s competitiveness, the AA is dedicated to adopting latest technologies to enhance operational efficiencies and passengers’ experience. We will continue to work with different technology companies and research organisations to identify technologies and applications that can increase operational efficiencies and cost effectiveness and help create a smart airport,” said Mr. John Chai Sung-veng, Executive Director, Engineering and Technology of the AA.

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Dr. Frank Tong, ASTRI’s Chief Executive Officer (left), and Mr. John Chai Sung-veng, Executive Director, Engineering and Technology of the AA (right), today sign an agreement to establish “ASTRI-HKIA Joint Research and Development Centre for Smart Airport”.