On 23 February 2025, Dr LAM Tai-fai, Chairman of the Council of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Ir Professor H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and the Vice President (Research and Innovation) visited the Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute. Dr. Weisong Wen, Director of the Institute’s Intelligent Transportation & Unmanned Systems Center, led the delegation on a tour of the center.
Dr. Weisong Wen introduced the facilities and achievements of the Intelligent Transportation & Unmanned Systems Center.
Technologies on display
Dr. Wen introduced the visitors to the latest technologies developed at the center:
- Multi-rotor building cleaning drones: designed for the maintenance of high-rise exteriors, providing efficient and safe cleaning.
- Beyond-visual-range cargo drones: unmanned aerial vehicles that can transport goods over long distances without direct visual contact, for logistics and delivery services.
- Portable handheld data mapping equipment: collects data and maps different terrains in real time, with applications in areas such as environmental monitoring and urban planning.
- Integrated communication, navigation and control board: combines key functions of unmanned systems into a single, efficient unit.
- Autonomous driving vehicle: a key highlight of the visit, showing the institute’s progress in intelligent transportation, with algorithms and sensor technologies that enable safe and efficient navigation without human intervention.
- Humanoid robots: engineered to mimic human movements and interactions, with potential in service industries and complex operational tasks.
The visit also highlighted the institute’s collaborations with local enterprises in Wuxi. Dr. Wen explained how these partnerships connect academic research with industry applications, fostering innovation and driving economic growth in the region. The Chairman and Professor Man expressed their appreciation for these efforts, noting their importance in advancing technological development and benefiting the broader community.
Flight demonstration
The guests during the visit to the institute.
A memorable moment of the day was the live demonstration at the unmanned flight test field, where the guests watched drones navigate obstacle-filled environments using the institute’s obstacle avoidance technology. The demonstration showed how research is being turned into real-world applications that improve the safety and efficiency of unmanned flight operations.
Throughout the visit, the Chairman and Professor Man engaged actively with the research teams, asking questions and commending their work. The visit reinforced PolyU’s commitment to technological innovation and strengthened the ties between the university, its research institutes and local enterprises, showing the progress being made in unmanned systems and intelligent transportation technologies.