PolyU Hosts Landmark Low Altitude Economy (LAE) Workshop, Paving the Way for Hong Kong’s Drone Innovation

July 02, 2025

PolyU Hosts Landmark Low Altitude Economy (LAE) Workshop, Paving the Way for Hong Kong’s Drone Innovation

Hong Kong, 2 July 2025 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) convened industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers for a pivotal LAE Sandbox Workshop and Public Seminar, spotlighting Hong Kong’s ambitions to become a hub for drone technology and low-altitude economic development.

Key Discussions & Outcomes

1. Sandbox Progress & Challenges:

o 38 projects are currently under Hong Kong’s LAE Sandbox Regulation, though only several flight performances have been fully implemented.

o Regulatory hurdles: Delays in AOP (Advance Operation Permit) approvals and cross-border policy misalignment (e.g., differing drone definitions, customs rules) were highlighted as critical barriers.

o Collaborative solutions: Proposals included redefining logistics drones as “flying trucks” for smoother customs clearance (inspired by DJI) and prioritizing “from suburbs to cities, goods to people” for phased regulation.

PolyU Assistant Professor Wen Weisong introducing the sandbox project in collaboration with SUTPC, HKBN, and Gleneagles Hospital.

Mr. Xue Cheng from SUTPC presenting sandbox implementation strategies and related business opportunities.

SWorkshop Participants(Upper Left: AEROFUGIA ;Upper Middle: Beijing Racobit Electronic Information Technology Co. ;Upper Right: Zero Gravity Aircraft ;Bottom Left: Phoenix Wings ;Bottom Middle: Gaode Map ;Bottom Right: ASTRI ;) Sharing Practices And Insights Of The LAE Future.

2. Industry Innovations:

o SF Express (丰翼): Revealed plans for heavy-duty drone (25kg+) trials by mid-July, with existing success in blood sample deliveries (7,000+ flights in Shenzhen).

o Cross-border logistics: A PolyU-backed project with Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center (SUTPC) aims to slash delivery times by 80–90% between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

o eVTOL advancements: Companies like Aerofugia and Zero Gravity showcased electric vertical take-off aircraft, targeting 2026 for passenger trials.

3. Public Seminar Highlights:

o Safety & Infrastructure: Experts stressed the need for vertiports (22.5–30m diameter) and anti-drone systems (e.g., radar-based “black drone” detection by Beijing Racobit).

o Digital Integration: ASTRI and Gaode Map proposed unified low-altitude traffic management platforms, piloted in Shenzhen’s Longgang District.

Quotable Insights

• Kenny Lau (CTO, S.F. Express): “Hong Kong is in the 0-to-1 phase. Scalability hinges on cross-border networks—flying from Tsing Yi to Shenzhen, not just islands.”

• Cheng Xue (LAE Solution Manager, SUTPC Representative): “Commercial viability must drive sandbox projects. Round 1 lacked market focus; Round 2 needs tighter industry-government synergy.”

Path Forward

• Standardized regulations and faster AOP processing.

• Public-private pilots: E.g., medical deliveries to outlying islands (Digital Port to Lamma/Cheung Chau).

• Lab visits at PolyU’s FJ005 facility showcased prototypes like handheld mapping devices and “all-in-one” navigation systems.