【Hong Kong, 4 November 2024】 Green and sustainable development is a key component of developing “New Quality Productive Forces.” To this end, the nation and the HKSAR government have been actively promoting green innovation and technology in recent years andcommitting to applying technology to advance environmental protection and to commercialising promising green R&D projects. The Hong Kong Industrial AI and Robotics Centre (FLAIR), an expert in industrial AI technologies, develops platform solutions that address industry pain points. These solutions are then commercialised through spin-off companies. FLAIR has identified the application of innovative technologies to the environmental protection field as one of the key strategic foci, aligning with the growing global trend of sustainable development.

FLAIR's first innovative spin-off company, GREEN AI Technology Limited (GREEN AI), successfully debuted at Eco Expo Asia 2024 - International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection in Hong Kong. GREEN AI showcased a range of cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions for environmental protection, attracting significant attention from industry professionals and the public.

Mr. Cola LAM, Head of Operations at FLAIR, said, "This is our first time exhibiting at Eco Expo Asia, and we're eager to showcase FLAIR's technological capabilities and the application of industrial innovation in environmental protection. More importantly, we aim to strengthen communication with industry partners and explore how, together, we can leverage AI to transform the environmental protection sector and drive sustainable development in Hong Kong."

Innovative AI Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Conventional waste sorting relies on visual systems that analyse the appearance of objects, much like the human eye. FLAIR's multi-modal AI analysis technology goes further, combining visual systems with near-infrared (NIR) and other sensors to analyse not only appearance but also spectral characteristics such as material composition, enabling more precise classification. This enhanced precision significantly increases the value of recycled waste, promoting resource circulation and truly transforming waste into valuable resources. GREEN AI applies this technology to smart recycling machines and industrial-grade sorting equipment, resulting in greater efficiency and accuracy than conventional recycling machines.

(For more information about FLAIR’s technical solutions, please click here.)

Dr. Ivy Law, Chief Technology Officer of GREEN AI, stated, "Several of these technologies have been successfully implemented in the collection and sorting stages of Hong Kong's waste management system, demonstrating FLAIR's capabilities in environmental technology. We are confident in translating further R&D efforts into practical applications, contributing significantly to Hong Kong's sustainable development."

Empowering Industries with AI: Driving New Quality Productive Forces

The Hong Kong Productivity Council's latest 2022-2023 “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report” emphasises driving green development through green technologies and innovative solutions. FLAIR and GREEN AI actively support this direction, committed to advancing Hong Kong's position as a global innovation and technology hub.

Beyond green technology, FLAIR develops AI-driven platform solutions for various industrial production sectors. This has led to the successful incubation of five spin-off companies specialising in visual inspection, logistics, robotics, and product development, with the goal of empowering diverse industries through innovative technology.

Looking ahead, FLAIR will actively align with government policies on environmental protection and innovation and technology, further cultivating its expertise in intelligent solutions. By optimising technologies and translating innovative research achievements into practical applications, FLAIR will empower its spin-off companies to develop sustainable and scalable intelligent solutions. Furthermore, FLAIR will actively seek collaborative opportunities to solidify Hong Kong's leading position in smart city development, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and the nation.

Photo 1: Cover Photo —— FLAIR makes a successful debut at Eco Expo Asia 2024, showcasing cutting-edge AI solutions for environmental protection.

Photo 2: Mr. Cola Lam, Head of Operations at FLAIR, looks forward to collaborating with industry partners to leverage AI and drive the transformation and upgrade of the environmental protection sector.

Photo 3: Dr. Ivy Law, Chief Technology Officer of GREEN AI, stated that FLAIR's innovative environmental technologies have been successfully implemented in Hong Kong's waste management system and will contribute further R&D advancements to promote sustainable development.

Photo 4-6: FLAIR and GREEN AI demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development by showcasing innovative AI-driven environmental protection solutions.