On 30 June 2025, a member of the Trustworthy AI and Autonomous Systems Laboratory (TASLAB) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was invited to attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong Low-Altitude Economy Industry Exchange Conference in Hong Kong as a representative of the lab. The event, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce, brought together government officials, industry leaders and innovators to explore opportunities for collaboration in the fast-growing low-altitude economy (LAE) sector.
Keynote speeches highlight cross-border collaboration
- Mr. Zhu Xiaojun, Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce, opened the conference and emphasised Guangdong’s commitment to fostering innovation in low-altitude applications, including drone logistics, urban air mobility (UAM) and autonomous systems.
- Dr. Elizabeth Quat, Legislative Council Member and Founding President of the Greater Bay Area Low-Altitude Economy Alliance, underscored Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for technological and regulatory advances in this field.
Policy insights and municipal investment opportunities
Mr. Lin Zhichun, Head of the Guangdong Low-Altitude Economy Task Force, gave a policy briefing outlining regulatory frameworks and incentives to accelerate industry growth. Representatives from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai then presented their cities’ strategic advantages for investment in low-altitude technology, highlighting infrastructure, talent pools and pilot programmes.
The host and speakers at the conference.
Industry showcase
The project roadshow featured leading enterprises such as EHang, Kobot and Fengyi Technology, presenting advances in autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs), drone delivery networks and AI-driven air traffic management. Of particular interest to TASLAB was Shenzhen-based Lingling Infinite Technology, which demonstrated lightweight drone solutions for smart city applications, an area that aligns with PolyU’s research in trustworthy autonomous systems.
Lanz Technology demonstrating their products, including the Module X300.
PolyU’s role in the low-altitude ecosystem
The conference themes showed strong synergies with TASLAB’s work on safety, reliability and AI ethics in autonomous aviation. The event reinforced the potential for Hong Kong’s academic institutions to partner with mainland counterparts in R&D and commercialisation, particularly in UAM and cross-border regulatory sandboxes.
The conference concluded with a networking session, where the TASLAB representative connected with industry stakeholders to explore collaborative R&D and talent exchange initiatives. With the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area positioning itself as a global leader in low-altitude innovation, PolyU’s expertise in autonomous systems is well placed to help shape this emerging sector.