The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is hosting five autumn technology fairs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 October. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and many other exhibitors are showing an array of cutting-edge solutions that enhance hiker safety, boost search and rescue efficiency, detect hill fires, kill viruses, eliminate odours, detect rodent activities and enable automated parking, among other benefits. The fairs are signature events that encourage exchange among industry professionals and promote the application of innovative technologies across different sectors, aiming to improve people's quality of living.Positioning system improves safety of hikers and rescuers
Themed "Innovations for Better Living", this year's fairs have brought together more than 1,100 exhibitors. At the HKTDC International ICT Expo, the OGCIO has set up two pavilions - the Smart Government Pavilion (1E-A02) and the Hong Kong Innovation Pavilion (1E-A22) - under the theme "Smarter Hong Kong" to showcase a number of technological solutions.
Among them is the Government Wide-Internet of Things Network (GWIN) developed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) since 2019 and based on LoRa (Long Range) wireless technology. Last year, under the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0, the EMSD developed a trial system based on GWIN to provide location tracking and an SOS function for use in areas with weak or no mobile network coverage, aiming to enhance the safety of hikers. A "GWIN-on-drone" has also been developed to support the location-tracking application of the trial system. The department collaborated with the Civil Aid Service and the Fire Services Department, in 2021 and 2022 respectively, to try out the system and test the drone's location tracking at Plover Cove Country Park in Hong Kong's New Territories.
Alongside the EMSD, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is presenting its own rescue technology. The HKPF's Information Systems Wing has created a "3R" rescue solution with a digital platform that combines R-Map, R-Watch and R-Cam. The solution can provide accurate locations of rescue teams and transmit high-definition video footage of rescue scenes to the control centre using live mapping and GPS positioning. The overall aim of the system is to increase the efficiency of rescue operations and monitor the status of rescue team members to ensure their safety.
Another smart development on display is the hill fire surveillance system developed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Installed at the Tin Fu Tsai Fire Lookout in Tai Lam Country Park, the system uses infrared thermal detection technology, video analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies. It can detect hill fires and send an alert to the AFCD's Fire Control Centre, along with real time fire data, to help in its deployment of firefighting operations.
Environmental problems addressed by rodent detection and deodorisation tech
Other exhibitors at the fairs are showcasing a variety of solutions and products to address environmental problems and improve people's living environments. Among them is the Care222 solution developed by Ecobay Technologies Limited (Booth: 1D-C02), an exhibitor at the B4B Challenge pavilion. The technology uses filtered Far-UVC light to disinfect both the air and surfaces and is effective against coronavirus.
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