InnoCarnival 2024 to run from October 26 to November 3
2024-10-08
Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), the InnoCarnival
2024 (IC 2024) will be held from October 26 to November 3 at the Hong Kong
Science Park with the theme of "Let’s Sail with Innovation and
Technology". The event is receiving support from over 75 programme
partners, including local universities, research and development centres and platforms,
government departments and other organisations. Through an array of interesting
activities, it aims to promote innovation and technology (I&T) culture. IC
2024 is also one of the Special 75 events and Highlight Events of the 75th
anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Speaking
at the media preview for IC 2024 on October 4, the Commissioner for Innovation
and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, said that the Commission has been committed to
driving the I&T development of Hong Kong and raising the awareness of
I&T culture in the community. He believed that the Carnival was an annual
flagship event which could foster popularity of science culture, nurture the
young generation's interest in I&T, and attract more I&T talent in the
long run.
The
media preview exhibited the research and development (R&D) projects of
several participating teams. Project team representatives presented their
inspirational ideas, R&D processes, features and functions, and project
applications. These projects include the "Flexible Exoskeleton for Load
Transportation", developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong which
provides personalised assistance to the wearer when moving heavy objects to
reduce back strain and muscle activity, minimising the risk of lower back pain
while maximising comfort and safety; as well as the "Dye Removal from
Denim Textile Wastewater by a Combinative Adsorption and Regeneration
System" developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and
Apparel (HKRITA), which is an environmental-friendly and cost-effective indigo
dye treatment method using alumina-based adsorbents as efficient dye-adsorbent
materials to remove indigo dye from textile wastewater.
In
addition, representatives of Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School,
introduced their anti-phone scam invention for seniors,
"ElderDefender". Equipped with speech recognition technology, the
device would make use of artificial intelligence and big data technology to
scan phone message to reduce phone scams by issuing a visual alert. This
invention earned awards in the Hong Kong Student Science Competition organised
by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, as well as the Second City I&T
Grand Challenge organised by the ITC together with the Hong Kong Science and
Technology Parks Corporation.
Exhibition
booths will be set up at the Hong Kong Science Park to showcase local I&T
achievements, some of them with interactive games. Moreover, a diverse line-up
of about 150 workshops and webinars across various subjects including
artificial intelligence and energy conservation will be available during the
carnival.
Prototypes
of some of the winning I&T solutions of the Second City I&T Grand
Challenge will also be displayed for trial in the IC 2024. To promote an
I&T culture and enhance the application of I&T in the community, the
second City I&T Grand Challenge was launched in March this year under the
theme of "Hong Kong's Got I&T". It invited submissions from
different sectors of the community to develop I&T solutions focusing on two
subjects, namely "I&T for Nature (Yama)" (improving the operation
and management of country parks and campsites, and enhancing hikers'
experiences in nature) and "I&T for Community (Community
Wellness)" (enhancing support for carers). After rounds of assessment and
pitching, over 50 awards under the four categories, which were the Primary
School Group, the Secondary School Group, the University/Tertiary Institute
Group and the Open Group, were presented at the Grand Pitch in August this
year.
All
IC 2024 activities are free of charge. Some of the activities require
preregistration. Details are available at the thematic webpage
(innocarnival.hk). Members of the public are most welcome to join.
The Commissioner for Innovation
and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, attended the media preview of InnoCarnival 2024 on
October 4. Picture shows Mr Lee (centre) with representatives of the
participating teams from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong
Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel and Carmel Divine Grace Foundation
Secondary School.
InnoCarnival 2024 will run from October 26 to November 3. Picture shows the "Flexible Exoskeleton for Load Transportation" developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
InnoCarnival 2024 will run from October 26 to November 3. Picture shows the "Dye Removal from Denim Textile Wastewater by a Combinative Adsorption and Regeneration System" developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel.
InnoCarnival 2024 will run from October 26 to November 3. Picture shows the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee (first left), with students of Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School who developed the "ElderDefender".