HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 9 September
2021 - Chinachem
Group (the Group) and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation
(HKSTP) took another step forward in its pioneering pilot-first accelerator
programme today by announcing the first cohort of 10 selected tech ventures who
will test and develop 'proptech' innovation at the revitalised Central Market.
Chinachem
Group Executive Director and CEO Donald Choi (7th from right), Hong
Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation CEO Albert Wong (7th
from left), Chinachem Group Director of Business Transformation and Innovation
Damien Wu (6th from right) and Hong Kong Science and Technology
Parks Corporation Chief Corporate Development Officer Eugene Hsia (6th
from left) welcomed the representatives from the 10 selected tech ventures.
The "CCG
Accel – Powered by HKSTP" accelerator provides the shortlisted tech ventures with
the exclusive opportunity to develop pilot solutions in collaboration with
Chinachem Group to ensure they can deliver market-ready solutions prior to
general adoption.
This
pioneering "pilot-first" approach allows tech ventures to install and test
solutions in a real market environment even at concept stage. This is a huge
advantage and accelerates the product development process, while closing the
critical gap between ideation and commercialisation which halts many
early-stage ventures. The process
allows tech ventures to collect valuable data and instant user feedback so that
they can strengthen the opportunities for adoption.
Cohort
1 participants will focus on proptech-related solutions that address
property-based challenges at Central Market in the areas of visitor experience,
environment and sustainability, as well as operation and facility management.
Pilot testing will take place from September to December 2021, with a final
demo day in January 2022 when all participating tech ventures will showcase
their solutions. By collecting real-life data through trials at Central Market,
the final winning innovations may be adopted within Central Market itself and
help revitalise the 82-year-old building into a 21st century
marketplace blending old and new.
Donald Choi, Executive Director and
CEO, Chinachem Group, said: "Chinachem
Group is excited to be working with HKSTP to support high-potential tech
ventures and their innovations that can make Hong Kong a better place to live,
work and play for our future generations. The Group's expertise and wide
portfolio of commercial properties provide the ideal testing and development
opportunities for innovation to thrive. We believe this can accelerate smart
city development in Hong Kong and benefit people, prosperity and planet."
Albert
Wong, CEO, HKSTP said: "This unique pioneering partnership with Chinachem Group
is a continued extension of the HKSTP I&T ecosystem to new locations in
Hong Kong and will help innovators fast-track their ground-breaking ideas into
fully-tested solutions ready for market adoption. We constantly seek new ways
to smooth tech ventures' path to success and this programme will spur more successful
innovation while also propelling Hong Kong's smart city vision with smart
property and retail solutions."
The
existing Central Market building was an epoch-making piece of architecture when
built 80 years ago. Its spirit of innovation lives on in the revitalised market
through initiatives including support for high-potential local tech ventures through
a pilot-to-mass adoption process and promotion of STEAM learning to nurture the
creative thinking of the next generation.
Featuring a series of three themed cohorts,
the "CCG Accel – Powered by HKSTP" accelerator will use designated Chinachem Group properties as a testing stage in each cohort as the innovators are
tasked to solve property-based challenges. CCG will also assign mentors to each
programme participant and provide industry insight and knowledge to refine
their solution with the participating tech ventures.
HKSTP will also facilitate a programme
of training sessions during the pilot period to equip the selected tech
ventures with diverse technology and business skills. The tech ventures will
benefit from direct access to HKSTP's extensive ecosystem and value-added
services.
This new model of partnership helps
visualise the effectiveness of the property-specific solutions more easily,
while end users can gain immediate benefits from the innovations. Successful
innovations from the accelerator may also be selected for further adoption and
investment by the Group.
Photos download
https://bit.ly/3hdcEdw
Appendix
List of
tech ventures
shortlisted for the first cohort of the "CCG Accel –
Powered by HKSTP" accelerator programme
|
Tech Ventures
|
Solutions
|
|
Apicem Technology Services Company
Limited
(ATS)
|
ATS provides a smart air purifying system that prevents cross air
contamination and keeps air quality high. It uses a high voltage direct
current air purifying system with a patented metal foam material with fully
automated monitoring in a totally green device. Using this keeps buildings up
to sustainability standards and air quality high for better health and
productivity. It will be installed at Central Market to give a safe and
comfortable indoor environment for people.
|
|
Dayta AI Limited
|
Dayta.ai provides a real-time plug and play solution that collects
visitor data in shopping malls, retail outlets and exhibitions. It is an
all-in-one service which integrates with existing cameras and provides data
analysis and visualisation of visitors. Dayta.ai will help address market
needs in Central Market via its building management services platform and
provide performance indicators to continuously perfect operation quality.
Using this platform, management staff can learn more about its frequent
customers and market demographic, and tailor more caring experiences for
visitors using real data.
|
|
i2Cool Limited
|
i2Cool invented a passive radiative cooling paint (patented in
Hong Kong) that can achieve an electricity-free and refrigerant-free
self-cooling effect. By applying this paint on the roof or external walls of
buildings, the indoor air temperature can be decreased, saving the energy
usage of air-conditioning systems and reducing carbon emission. Apart from
that, adopting this technology would cut down both running and installation
costs of cooling equipment and reduce the amount of maintenance needed. At
the same time, by reducing the amount of equipment, more space can be freed
up for other amenities. The cooling paint developed by i2Cool will be tested
in the Central Market and make it a place to CHILL.
|
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Megasoft Limited
|
Megasoft provides real-time temperature monitoring and track &
trace solutions for the F & B industry, where food management, cooking
safety, and food delivery are primary concerns. To ensure that these primary
concerns are fully addressed by food stalls, restaurants, central kitchens,
or even processing centers, our solutions have been developed to preserve
food safety during transportation, assuring the temperatures of several food
types across multiple outlets can be instantly tracked. The ultimate result
would be a safer kitchen and a more satisfying experience for diners in the
Central Market.
|
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Negawatt Utility Limited
|
Negawatt has established an Anti-COVID Management Solution and
implemented Negawatt Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) solution on-site, with
the control capability to high-quality air disinfection system. Multiple
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Sensors and people count devices are
deployed at Central Market and continuously collecting IEQ data. Based on the
activities of the site and immediate IEQ data , Negawatt A.I. calculates the
Risk Factor on indoor environmental safety. With reference to different Risk
Value, Negawatt A.I. is capable to activate the air-disinfection system
installed at Central Market, providing a safe & immunised indoor environment
for visitors.
|
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Novelte Robotics Limited
|
Novelte Robotics's Heritage corner guiding robot gives a
futuristic and interactive experience for visitors wanting to learn more
about the site. This robot is fully automated, increasing the appeal of the
area with its personalised service which decreasing staff workload. It also
adds to the customer's experience while visiting to be able to enjoy a unique
heritage tour at Central Market.
|
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Optical Sensing Limited
|
Optical Sensing specialises in fibre optic sensing monitoring
system development and installation to achieve digital transformation in
building and facility management. The system uses optical fibre cables as
tools and installed in targeted facilities such as air conditioning system,
water and sewer pipes and power network. Optical fibre cables can collect
data from difficult to reach pipelines to understand their condition. This
provides predictive monitoring to prevent public areas of Central Market from
being closed off, giving a better service to visitors.
|
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Rice Robotics Limited
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Rice Robotics' Portal robot is an unmanned, autonomous robot that
guides customers during the day and patrols for security at night. It is
fully integrated to elevators and gates, and seemingly becomes part of a
building's day to day operation. It increases shopping outlets appeal with its
futuristic functions, alleviates staff workload from repetitious and tedious
tasks and gives a unique and enhanced visitors experience.
|
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RV Automation Technology Company Limited
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RV Automation strives to create people-centric robots and its
patrol and food tray collection robot aims to help enhance operational
efficiency, reduce labour costs, and ensure consistent performance. Using
this robot not only increases the appeal of the site, but also significantly
reduces staff workload from menial tasks while giving visitors something
interesting to experience.
|
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Tech Hill Limited
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Tech Hill Limited's 3D multiple radar array bird deterrent is a
product that protects buildings from damage and reduce maintenance from
hard-to-read areas. It protects the historical and valuable building and
rooftop of Central Market from unexpected damage and provides a smooth,
comfortable and worry-free experience for visitors.
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
www.hkstp.org.
