Reporters visiting CMG’s warehouse. (Photo by Southcn.com)
CCTV cameras have long been silently recording passers-by and passing cars. Now empowered with artificial intelligence, they can recognize pedestrians’ gender and clothing, and the number plate and model of nearby cars.
This is the core tech being developed by SenseTime, an AI developer.
On the second day of the media tour to the greater bay area, reporters were given an insight as to Hong Kong’s efforts to establish an international sci-tech innovation center. China Merchants Group (CMG), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Science Park (HKSTP) were among the sites visited.
Text by Nan & Eric
Edited by Wing & Simon
A senior executive from HKTDC fielding reporter’s questions. (Photo by Southcn.com)
“In just 4 years we emerged from Hong Kong Science Park and have become the world’s biggest innovator in the field of AI in dozens of areas across the globe.” announced Shang Hailong, general manager of SenseTime.
Hong Kong Science Park, the incubator of this cutting-edge technology, is a base for HKSTP, a government-owned enterprise, to help promote the development of an innovative economy. There are currently over 500 technological companies and start-ups in the park, among which 4 went public during the first half of this year.
“We have enterprises from 20 or so countries and areas across the world, and over half of the researchers in Hong Kong,” says Zha Yichao, board member of HKSTP. In 2016 and 2017, his company had separately secured investments worth 332 million and 2.25 billion HKD respectively for technology incubators, representing more than a 7-fold increase. At the same time, the park is running more than 33 projects developed by its enterprises on site.
Shang Hailong, general manager of SenseTime, presenting his company’s recent progresses to reporters. (Photo by Southcn.com)
HKSTP is still the process of expanding and upgrading. Zha Says the Biomes, AI and robotics R&D expansion of the park is to be completed next year, and that this will further promote the construction of a smart park.
In addition, the Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate will be completed in 2021 or 2022, specializing in customized, prototypical and high-value production. The Data Tech Center will be set up in 2020, focusing on fast-responding financial transaction, design or system integration of IT computer, data center service, post-disaster reconstruction programs, among other projects.
