Review of Hong Kong International ICT Expo 2016-2019, China

The Hong Kong International Information, Communication and Technologies (ICT) Expo, to discover a world of groundbreaking smart city ideas and state-of-the-art innovations that will redefine the future of tech-savvy businesses and consumer lifestyles around the world. The Fair provides a fascinating look at our future through the lens of smart city and ICT solutions.

The annual Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and International ICT Expo held concurrently at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the two fairs provide an international platform to showcase the latest electronics, cutting-edge technology and ICT solutions to global buyers.

Usually held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in April every year, the International ICT Expo includes the following product and service zones: Enterprise Solutions; Computer & Peripherals; Telecom, Networking & Wireless Technologies; IT Outsourcing; Digitainment & Multimedia; e-Logistics & Retail Technologies; Home-grown Innovations; and Trade Related Services.

Hong Kong highlighted its commitment to smart city development, innovation and technology, and start-up development. To cater to this growing trend, the Lighting Fair, Electronics Fair and ICT Expo all showcase smart city-related technologies and start-ups. The goal is to encourage industries to leverage the latest innovative technologies to raise their competitiveness, and to unleash the power of start-ups to inject new impetus into different industries.

The Hong Kong Government proposed strengthening the innovation and technology industry, promoting smart city development as well as supporting innovation and technology and start-up enterprises. The fair is keeping up with the trend and is committed to creating business opportunities for Hong Kong, strengthening start-up and smart living elements.

In the digital era, innovation and technology have become mega trends and smart cities are beginning to change the way people live, work and play. To meet the demand from buyers globally, ICT Expo and Spring Electronics Fair put the spotlight on smart city solutions and cutting-edge electronic products. The expo also showcase of how companies integrate innovative solutions into business operations, to meet with all sorts of professionals behind the smart ideas.

The fair also help start-ups to reach more potential suppliers, buyers and investors, spotlighting a wide range of smart products and technologies at the fairs, allowing global enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s exhibitions as a platform to promote innovative ideas and drive global economic and social developments.

There are also series with industry experts exploring hot topics, such as Internet security, Fintech, smart home, electronic ID, developing smart business through IoT applications, and how disruptive technology is driving smart city development.

Hong Kong International ICT Expo 2019
Reflecting the surging demand for smart city-related technologies, this year’s ICT Expo gather more than 610 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, adopting the theme of Smart City • Smart Living to showcase cutting-edge solutions in six key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, Smart People, Smart Government and Smart Economy.

The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the HKSAR Government set up a Smart Government Pavilion at the expo to present its innovation and technology (I&T) initiatives. These include electronic identity (eID), smart lampposts that can track traffic and collect environmental data, an intelligent transportation system that leverages in-vehicle units, and the use of virtual reality technology for training.

The “Smart Government Innovation Lab” also be introduced at the pavilion. The Lab aims to facilitate the adoption of I&T to enhance public services by inviting the industry to put forward proposals for I&T applications and product suggestions for addressing challenges in public services, and conducting trials and technology testing of suitable proposals.

New to the expo this year is a pavilion from the Hangzhou Government, which showcase its City Brain platform. The City Brain uses big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to offer solutions for city management in addressing its citizens’ livelihood issues. The system was used at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou to help manage venues, events and participants, ushering the games into a new smart era. This project is headed by Dr Wang Jian, founder of Alibaba Cloud and the Chief Architect of this revolutionary platform, who host a seminar on 15 April to share its innovative applications.

More than 30 French companies − multinational corporations, SMEs and tech start-ups − have banded together to form the So French So Innovative Pavilion, including Capgemini, Schneider Electric, STMicroelectronics and more. Some of the participating companies will host themed seminars and demonstrations during the fair (15-16 April) to share forward-looking smart city solutions.

The Xiamen Pavilion (Booth: 3G-D16) gathers nine smart technology companies to present the smart city infrastructure that applies big data and AI to real-world scenarios for the first time. Some of the solutions include “Meitu”, a photo and video processing App and social media platform; “Meet You”, an app serving as a networking platform for women; and a smart tourism big data and public service platform provided by Xiamen Information Group.

SenseTime (Booth: 3G-A14), Hong Kong’s first AI unicorn (technology company valued at more than US$ 1 billion) headquartered at Hong Kong Science Park, showcases an array of innovative solutions. These include the company’s facial recognition technology that can be used for intelligent video analysis, identity authentication and driver fatigue monitoring. Hailong Shang, Managing Director of SenseTime Hong Kong, will attend the concurrent Internet Economy Summit on 16 April to introduce the company’s latest AI developments.

Several top-notch exhibitors feature AI and robotics demonstrations. Xiao-i (Booth: 3F-G20), a Shanghai AI company who has set up its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong, showcases the application of AI in smart city solutions such as city management, economic development, as well as public services in areas like healthcare and education. It demonstrates a robot that has been deployed at numerous mainland hospitals to provide services such as consultation, triage and medical guidance.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (Booth: 3F-E12) has brought the multifunctional robots that have been deployed at Hong Kong International Airport. The robots can collect data such as the temperature, brightness and WiFi details of the terminal environment to enhance the operation efficiency of the airport.

JETCO (Booth: 3F-E13) presents JETCO APIX, Hong Kong’s first cross-industry open application programming interface (API) exchange platform. Since the launch of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Open Application Programming Interface (API) Framework, JETCO has developed this pioneering platform to provide more than 200 APIs from 13 banks. The platform is designed for customers that include banks, third-party service providers and application developers.

Other key exhibitors at the expo include Cyberport, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Jetco, Microsoft, NEC, Hong Kong Science Park, SenseTime, Smart City Consortium and Xiao-i. Several local research and development centres also showcase their latest projects. These include the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems (APAS) R&D Centre, and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI).

During the expo, the Smart City Seminar Series was held to examine hot topics such as the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), data security developments, and how technology can enable smarter living and smarter SMEs. In addition, the winners of the OGCIO’s Hong Kong ICT Awards 2019 demonstrate their ground-breaking products and solutions.

On 15 and 16 April, the HKSAR Government and Cyberport are joining together to organise the fourth edition of the Internet Economy Summit to examine how businesses can capture the opportunities presented by data-driven innovations. The event was held concurrently with the ICT Expo at the HKCEC. It feature leading experts and technology thought leaders from companies such as Amazon Web Services, Alibaba, Twitter, Microsoft, AXA, ZhongAn, Tencent, IBM and HP, who discuss the immense business opportunities generated by the digital economy.

Hong Kong International ICT Expo 2018
This year, the Expo adopt the theme of “Smart City: The Way of the Future” to gather a wide range of related ICT solutions to develop an efficient and sustainable urban planning and management. A Smart City zone was launched to present Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint, mapping out development plans for the next five years and showcasing various solutions and applications for smart city development.

Exhibitors include Alicloud, Cisco, Hong Kong Airport Authority, Microsoft, NEC, Smart City Consortium, ZTE as well as top local research institutes, such as the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), Hong Kong R&D Centre for LSCM Enabling Technologies (LSCM), and the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre (APAS).

This one-stop platform features over hundreds leading exhibitors from 14 countries and regions with group pavilions representing Canada, France, India and Korea, as well as Guangdong, Hangzhou, Qingdao and Xiamen from Mainland China. This year’s Expo, under the theme of “Smart City • Smart Living”, showcases smart city solutions in six key areas:

Smart Government – Smart Government allows cities of the future to stay ahead of the times. Explore how government in different countries and regions are leading the way in promoting open data for research, adopting smart city initiatives and embracing new technologies.

Smart Economy – When it comes to modern cities, adopting tech-savvy economic solutions makes a whole lot of dollars and sense. Smart Economy leverages innovation and technology to continue development of economic staples, while promoting a sharing economy and embracing new economic pillars of the future.

Smart Mobility – Smart Mobility adopts innovative solutions in intelligent transport and traffic systems, develops the quintessential modern smart airport, and harnesses the power of eco-friendly transport.

Innovative Hong Kong – Celebrating the power of local innovation, explore some of Hong Kong’s greatest contributors and innovators in ICT and Smart City development, featuring key exhibitors from Cyberport Management Co., Ltd. (Cyberport) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP).

International Presence – Presenting innovative power across the world, the Expo also features group pavilions from Canada, India and Korea, as well as Guangdong and Qingdao from Mainland China, showcasing cutting-edge ICT solutions.

Enterprise Solutions Zone – This zone showcases a range of incomparable tools for businesses of all sizes to transform data streams into real-time resources. Explore more to create customised resources and successful strategies for the future success of your enterprise.

From citywide internet access to healthcare advancements, citizens of the future expect solutions that make life easier in the age of Smart Living. Explore fascinating initiatives focusing on Wi-Fi-connected cities, digital payment, digital identification and healthcare.

The consumer world of tomorrow requires efficiency and technological savvy. The Retail Technologies zone explores the role of ICT in providing state-of-the-art customer experiences, improving productivity and raising the digital identity of enterprises, creating lasting connections with global consumers.

Home to big ideas that can change the world, the Startup zone powered by HSBC connects you with the brightest tech startups from across the world. Investors, buyers and manufacturers can enjoy a front row seat to visionaries of tomorrow, accelerating potential deals with 150 startups. Discover the latest innovations in a range of hot industry topics, including Apps, Big Data, Consumer Tech, Digital Business, eHealth, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics and much more.

LSCM present “Follow-Me” Robots and Platooning Technology. The Robots can carry heavy or bulky objects while following the worker who wears a dedicated vest with special signage. Configured with multiple sensors and advanced computer vision techniques, the Robots can detect and avoid obstacles to ensure the workers’ safety. A platooning technology is also developed to facilitate the Robots follow and control each other intelligently. A linking of two or more Robots can improve efficiency and reduce turnaround time of delivery.

APAS showcase Portable Charger Kit (PCK), which is a handheld Electric Vehicle (EV) charger that works with proprietary AC power socket through wireless authentication. The driver can simply plug the charger to a nearby PCK Socket and get medium fast charging for the vehicle after parking. It replaces the traditional bulky wall mount AC chargers by simple PCK Sockets which are small, low cost and easy for installation and maintenance.

ASTRI showcase an innovative Smart Pole which leverages Narrowband IoT technology to facilitate various smart city applications. The Smart Pole comes with an interactive display. It can facilitate Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications – enhancing road safety and modernising traffic management. It is also an ideal infrastructure to facilitate high-speed communication technologies like 5G by providing hotspot coverage.

Hong Kong International ICT Expo 2017
The International ICT Expo is one of the signature events of the “International IT Fest 2017”. It is the ideal platform for different industries to keep abreast of the latest products and solutions in information, communication and technologies (ICT) with the objective to enhance business efficiency and stay competitive.

The Expo is categorised under various themed zones for business visitors to look for the solutions suitable for their businesses. e-Commerce zone showcase cyber security, e-commerce platform, e-payment, logistics, O2O business solutions and IT integration.

Retail Technologies zone feature business improvement solutions which include retail and payment technologies. Enterprise Solutions zone present software solutions for the corporate world enabling business to upgrade internal processes and everyday operations. Home-grown Innovation zone feature the latest technologies developed by some local companies and institutions. Other themed zones include Digital Infrastructure, Digital Marketing and Smart Devices & Accessories and more.

A local exhibitor present Flexibill app, a one-stop billing platform to connect merchants’ offline businesses to various digital payment methods such as Visa and Wechat Pay. On the one hand, customers can scan the QR codes to collect e-receipt and other promotional information. On the other hand, merchants can continue to engage with their customers by understanding their spending behaviour. Buyers can also find different e-Commerce solutions at the expo, including the Finlink international remittance service developed by a Hong Kong company. Targeting at the Chinese mainland and Asian markets, this is a mobile and online-based international money transfer service for cross-border remittance.

Global buyers can source a wide variety of ICT solutions from the expo, such as a smart baby room solution to be showcased by a Hong Kong exhibitor. It controls the baby’s sleeping environment based on physiological activity and combines with IoT technology to provide safety and health caring solution. Some of the features include alarming when breathing activity stops, recording baby’s sleeping time and recommending sleeping adjustment, turning on night light and music, detecting ambient temperature and controlling air-conditioner.

An exhibitor from Canada present GestureSense and BeaconSense, providing 3D gesture recognition technology which enables low cost and low power consumption. GestureSense features touchless controls and interactions such as scrolling through photos without touching the mobile phone and controlling smart home appliances remotely, while BeaconSense can be used in advanced machine-machine positioning such as path finding and route planning for robots, stimulated AI in toys and tracing shopping cart’s path within a store for retail analytics.

There was dedicated theme for the seminars and sharing sessions held on each day of the Expo, featuring hot industry issues which include Startups, e-Commerce & FinTech, Disruptive Technology and Career Development. Besides, for the first time, the Expo open to tertiary students on 16 April, providing fruitful information on ICT career development and job opportunities.

Besides, the popular SME IT Clinic return to offer complimentary professional consultation services on ICT systems and solutions to help SMEs enhance business efficiency.

Hong Kong International ICT Expo 2016
The International ICT Expo is the ideal platform for different industries to look for the latest ICT solutions and services to optimise their business operations and enhance efficiency. As one of the signature events of the International IT Fest 2016, the ICT Expo brings the newest enterprise solutions, retail technologies, mobile applications, cloud computing solutions, telecommunications and network products, digital marketing strategies and e-commerce services for all businesses.

The ICT Expo feature IT solutions for different industries with close to 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions taking part, including new participants from Brunei, France and the United Arab Emirates. The new E-Commerce zone present a range of e-commerce technology and related services such as e-commerce platforms, third-party payment, IT infrastructure, system integration and process management. Moreover, the Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association join the expo for the first time, with members presenting the latest IoT solutions so as to inspire electronics manufacturers to produce new smart products.

Debut this year, the E-Commerce zone feature a variety of e-commerce technologies and services such as e-commerce platform, third party payment, IT infrastructure, system integration and workflow management.

The Office of Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) present an “iStartup@HK” area to showcase products and solutions from local start-up companies. Incubators including Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation also showcase products from start-ups.

The Apps Zone feature the latest mobile Apps developed in local tertiary institutions. Meanwhile, an on-site SME IT Clinic will offer free professional consultation services conducted by representatives of leading IT corporations including Alibaba and Yahoo.

One of the highlights at the ICT Expo is the Internet Economy Summit on 13 April, which explores the future development on Internet economy and provides a platform for celebrated industry experts and leaders of innovative technology enterprises from the East and West to interact and share insights.

The Summit features topical issues shaping the Internet economy such as global technology trends shaping business strategy, Big Data and IoT, and Internet-led economic growth in the Chinese mainland and beyond. Invited speakers are renowned experts and world leaders from ICT enterprises such as Alibaba Group, Facebook, Microsoft and Xiaomi, among others.

To focus on different services and events, there was a particular theme on each day of the ICT Expo; IoT, e-Payment/O2O, wireless technology, and IT startup. A series of seminars was organised with industry experts sharing their views on these themes. Winners of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2016 also share their latest solutions and success stories at the expo.

SME IT Clinic return to offer complimentary professional consultation services on ICT systems and solutions to help SMEs enhance business efficiency and maximise cost-saving results. The Hong Kong ICT Awards 2016 award winners present a wide range of outstanding products and services to visitors.

HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room.