Hong Kong has always been a world leader in infrastructure. The "World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024" shows that Hong Kong's ranking in "Infrastructure" has risen to the ninth place globally, demonstrating that the strong edge of Hong Kong's infrastructure development is being recognised worldwide. The Development Bureau (DEVB) is committed to promoting Applied Research and Development to achieve remarkable results. For instance, the use of new and innovative building materials such as high-strength steel in infrastructure projects has significantly enhanced the performance of the construction industry.

The Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), initiated by the Government, was recently established officially to lead the construction industry in strengthening innovative applications. Collaborating with academic institutions, research institutes, government departments, and private entities, the BTRi will conduct research, testing, and standard-setting projects. The first phase of the work plan will be announced later this year.

Speaking of the achievements of Hong Kong's construction industry in infrastructure projects as well as the international recognition received, the Innovation and Technology Commission held the Reception for Innovation and Technology Awards 2024 in July this year to recognise the outstanding global achievements of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector over the past year. To demonstrate support, the Chief Executive attended the ceremony in person. The achievements of various works departments under the DEVB were also recognised in this event. This time, I have invited colleagues from these departments to share with us their award-winning projects, innovative accomplishments, and how they utilise technology to enhance efficiency.

Projects of EMSD covering various aspects including early identification of tree risks

Mr CHAN Ka-shing, Davy, Assistant Secretary (Works Policies) of the DEVB, shares with us that the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Drainage Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, and Architectural Services Department have won a total of 29 awards, including 10 gold medals, at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva this year.

Ms YAU Chi-ying, Vanessa, Senior Engineer of the EMSD, remarks that the EMSD has been actively using innovation and technology (I&T), as well as assisting various government departments in identifying suitable E&M I&T solutions to address challenges through the E&M InnoPortal.

The EMSD has won seven gold medals for its I&T projects at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva this year. Ms YAU shares with us the award-winning project, EnviroSense, which is used in drones, vehicles or motorbikes to monitor the condition of trees after extreme weather events. With the real-time video analytics technology, it can detect damaged or unstable trees. The project is currently undergoing testing and is expected to enable responsible departments to take prompt action to safeguard public safety.

Regarding the Ball Type Rolling Robot that can assist the disciplined services to conduct rescue and negotiation operations, Ms YAU says that the robot has wireless two-way communication and built-in recording functions. It also supports wireless video transmission within an area of about 100 metres even in the absence of network signals. Equipped with climbing capability, it can also navigate different terrains and reach areas that are inaccessible to people and drones. The Ball Type Rolling robot has already been trialed by the Police Negotiation Cadre.

AI-based Acoustic Detector operating around the clock to reduce the risk of machine failures

Mr SO Pok-man, Patrick, Senior Engineer of the EMSD, tells us about the Acoustic Detector: Determine Hidden Machine Failures by Analysing Sound Signature Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), which detects faults based on sound. With non-intrusive sensors, it inputs the real-time sound data of equipment into a pre-set fault detection model. Using the audio analytics technology, it compares the data with the sound characteristics of faulty equipment to detect issues, such as wear of bearings and imbalance of motor shafts, in equipment like air conditioning systems and lifts. It also recognises abnormal noise patterns and provides appropriate maintenance recommendations on the user interface. This non-intrusive system can operate around the clock to reduce equipment failures, downtime and risks, thereby lowering maintenance costs.

Additionally, the EMSD has developed the AI-Driven Railway Regulator Inspection Planning System for smart planning of railway regulatory inspection. The system uses AI language models and algorithms to analyse a large amount of railway incident and maintenance data, identifying areas that may pose higher risks to the safety of railway operation. It provides appropriate information for the regulator to prioritise railway safety inspection, thereby enhancing railway safety and achieving more effective planning of railway regulatory inspection.

DSD’s "Virtual Construction Safety Assistant" analysing images to understand regulations and alert workers

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is actively adopting innovative technologies to address challenges. Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of the DSD Ms CHAN Pui-ching, Jolly, says that the department has developed a smart innovative project called “Virtual Construction Safety Assistant” this year to monitor construction site safety. She mentions that the system’s unique and innovative strength is using the camera as the system's "eyes" and the visual language model as the "brain", breaking through the limitations of traditional artificial intelligence systems that are unable to understand regulations and guidelines. The system combines image analysis and text comprehension to identify hazards and unsafe behaviours on the construction site, such as whether workers are facing the work platform when going up or down, and issues reminders to site workers, thereby enhancing construction site safety. A pilot trial was conducted at the construction site of Shek Wu Hui Effluent Polishing Plant recently and the system will be extended to suitable construction sites under the department in the future.

The "Tumbler Inspection Ball" (TIB) Robot breaks through rapids to monitor pipeline conditions

To cope with extreme weather and reduce work that has to be done in confined spaces, the DSD developed the "Tumbler Inspection Ball" (TIB) Robot last year to help monitor the conditions of rivers, drainage and sewage systems. Engineer of the DSD Mr HO Ka-kit, Dennis, says that underground pipeline inspections were easily affected by water levels and water flows in the past. The TIB Robot overcomes traditional limitations with its unique shape, which ensures it remains upright while moving in turbulent flows, making pipeline inspections more efficient and stable. In addition, the TIB Robot's 360-degree all-round stable shooting system is combined with artificial intelligence application to create a 360-degree panoramic footage, making it convenient for staff to use computers to inspect the interior of pipelines afterwards and provide timely maintenance.

Analysing building conditions and generating reports with artificial intelligence

In addition to the internationally acclaimed innovative projects mentioned above, the departments under the Development Bureau are actively employing technologies in their operations. Building Surveyor of the Buildings Department (BD), Ms MOK Wan-chi, Gigi, says that the BD has been primarily using drones to inspect external walls of buildings of seven storeys or above in recent years. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), drone inspections can now facilitate analysis and generation of technical reports. The high-resolution visuals captured by drones are uploaded to a cloud platform, where AI technology is used to identify defective areas on external walls for categorisation of defects and assessment of their severity. A report for a 12-storey building, for example, used to take five working days to compile, but now it can be completed within a day using AI. Gigi notes that the new technology reduces the time required for BD staff to prepare inspection reports, expediting follow-ups on dilapidated external walls of buildings and relevant enforcement actions. She anticipates broader application of this technology in external wall inspections in the long run.

The BD has also been utilising AI technology on a trial basis in order to increase the efficiency of surveys in identifying dangerous and abandoned signboards. Gigi explains that surveys of signboards erected on both sides of the streets are carried out by patrol vehicles equipped with cameras, enabling expeditious collection of image data for subsequent identification of signboards constituting obvious dangers with the aid of AI. The BD will continue to develop this AI technology with a view to facilitating wider application of new technologies to enhance enforcement efficiency.

Looking ahead, the DEVB will continue to promote the application of innovative technologies in engineering projects to enhance efficiency and cultivate an innovative mindset.