ASTRI clinches 12 medals at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2022

[Hong Kong, 28 March 2022] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has won twelve medals, consisting of two gold medals and ten silver medals, at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva this year.

ASTRI has earned a gold medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2022 for its “Making future cities and campuses smarter and more efficient with 5G” solution. Commonly known as “Easy 5G Solution”, this is Hong Kong’s first end-to-end 5G network solution with world-leading technologies of 5G base station, 5G MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) and 5G Core. Its flexible design, easy deployment and relatively low cost can lower the entry barriers for small and medium enterprises to enter the 5G market and support 5G applications to roll out in Hong Kong as well as the development of smart city. ASTRI has allowed around 20 local and mainland corporations, including telecommunication service providers, to use its Easy 5G Solution via licensing. More corporations are now in discussion with ASTRI for technology transfer.

ASTRI’s “Novel underwater wireless power charging solution against climate change” has also won a gold medal at the exhibition. To alleviate the impact of climate change on our ocean, ASTRI has achieved major breakthroughs on 3rd generation semiconductor, power converter and wireless power transfer system. ASTRI has proposed a novel and highly-efficient wireless power transfer system to extend the working range and operation time of unmanned vehicles for underwater and offshore applications.

COVID-19 has caused worldwide devastation for more than two years, impacting global communications and logistics development. Our silver medals cover a range of innovative technology that is indicative of a collective desire to adapt to the new normal and pick up where we left off. Among which, we have made advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technology to track cross-border transportation of vaccines, medicine and frozen foods. This allows us to maintain stable temperatures and accurate logistical data over long hours, reducing transportation risks by 50%.

Digital Health: An ageing population will become a major issue for many countries. One of our technological innovations provides aid in research of hereditary conditions, which can be implemented in senior healthcare technology. Users may monitor changes in their retina at home, allowing for medical diagnosis with artificial intelligence solutions to determine suitable treatment options in future. Seniors can seek prompt diagnostic and treatment options at medical institutions for just one-fifth of the current price, reducing treatment costs for the elderly.

Smart Mobility: Utilisation of 5G and C-V2X technologies to improve smart mobility infrastructure with a higher level of accuracy and reliability in the future development.

ASTRI Chairman Ir Sunny Lee Wai-kwong, JP, is proud of the researchers for their achievements and adds, “The world’s brightest innovators gather at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva every year. We are honoured to be awarded and recognised for our efforts at one of the most prominent global exhibitions for inventors. We shall continue to work hard and create influential technological innovations that will bring about greater contributions to the public.”

ASTRI CEO Dr Denis Yip says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about drastic changes to many aspects of everyday life across the globe for the past two years. However, opportunities arise in the face of adversity. Our researchers are able to create a range of technological innovations to help us adapt to this new environment. These accolades serve to remind us of the relentless spirit in humanity despite unprecedented changes and obstacles. Our researchers continue to work hard in the development of new technological innovations and ideas while keeping up with the times. In recent years, ASTRI has focused on nurturing researchers across different disciplines. Our achievements at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva serve as recognition of Hong Kong’s outstanding talents in research and technology. We are also deeply honoured to have received recognition for four consecutive years.”

Since its founding 22 years ago, ASTRI has strived to promote technological advancement and innovation, as well as research contributions in Hong Kong. Our research findings are applied in both public and private organisations in Hong Kong. We have amassed a significant intellectual property portfolio of around 800 innovation and technology patents with years of hard work. Among which, around 750 have been utilised and applied in the relevant industries. In recent years, we have focused on nurturing research talents in collaboration with the respective industries, in hopes of promoting technological industrialisation and smart transformation to improve Hong Kong’s competitiveness.

The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is jointly organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Swiss federal and state governments, as well as the city of Geneva. With its coveted global standing, it is regarded as the world’s biggest and most prestigious exhibition for inventions. The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2022 has attracted an estimated 800 inventions from 25 countries and regions for judging on its online platform.

In order to maintain close ties with innovators and inventors across the globe during the pandemic, the organisers of the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva have decided to hold a virtual judging of the exhibition in 2022. Inventors from all over the world have submitted a 3-minute video presentation of their technological innovations to a panel of professional judges.

The full list of awards accorded to ASTRI at this year’s International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is as follows:

Gold medal

  1. Making future cities and campuses smarter and more efficient with 5G
  2. Novel underwater wireless power charging solution against climate change

Silver medal

  1. The generation of knowledgeable chatbot
  2. Mass real-time data stream processing for digital marketing
  3. Building blocks for future digitization of paper documents
  4. Evolution of cross-boundary compliance ecosystems in pandemics
  5. Enhancing future smart mobility infrastructure with low latency, high precision and reliable C-V2X system
  6. Low carbon emission design optimization for AI computing
  7. Give batteries a second life
  8. Rapid charging technology for reducing downtime and increasing productivity for mobile robotics
  9. Low-cost AI night vision technology for life saving
  10. Popularizing preventive eye retina checking solution