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ASTRI Showcases Latest Technologies at InnoCarnival

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Promoting Innovation Culture and Leading Technological Advancements

HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) showcases a range of its pioneering technologies at InnoCarnival, enhancing public awareness on innovation and technology (I&T). The nine-day exhibition, which opens today at the Hong Kong Science Park, is organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission.

“ASTRI actively supports the HKSAR Government’s policy to advance I&T and develop New Quality Productive Forces. Through our annual participation in the InnoCarnival, we showcase various homegrown cutting-edge technologies, allowing public to experience firsthand the conveniences brought by smart city technologies as well as how smart manufacturing solutions drives digital transformation and new industrialisation,” said Ir Sunny Lee, Chairman of ASTRI.

Visitors to ASTRI’s state-of-the-art booth can test drive a Formula A virtual racing car; utilise an internationally awarded gemstone identifier to distinguish real diamonds from imitations; embark on a treasure hunt in a complete darkness with a robotic guide dog; and wear an optical see-through head-mounted display (HMD) to participate in virtual pharmacy interactive game as a pharmacist. Through these engaging experiences, visitors can explore the practical application of technologies such as cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, as well as digital and physical twins in daily life.

The InnoCarnival is one of the events celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.  Under the theme “Let’s Sail with Innovation and Technology”, the carnival aims to promote I&T culture, nurture the young people’s interest in I&T, and attract more I&T talent in the long term. ASTRI’s booth (C-11 at Yellow Zone) is located on the first floor of 12W, Science Park, presenting diverse innovations:

Formula A
Visitors can drive virtual race cars to experience smart mobility and C-V2X technology. Vehicles travel along a cross-border route between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge), utilising real-time traffic monitoring platforms, traffic simulation platforms, and large traffic model technology to enhance road safety and improve traffic management, creating a safer and more efficient innovative transportation solution for future cities.

Gemstone “EYE”-dentification
ASTRI’s “Gemstone Eye: Apparatus for Gemstones Identification” was awarded the “Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury” at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. This automated device conducts multiple tests within a minute, swiftly distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-synthetic diamonds and other gemstones. Gemstone identification is now more professional, straightforward, and efficient with ASTRI’s technology.

Guide Dog – Little A 
ASTRI is developing technology that interprets human interaction and environments visually through the “Detection of Human Interaction for Visually Impaired People by Autonomous Robot.” This technology aims to achieve object recognition similar to a guide dog, assisting visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings, avoiding obstacles and hazards, and enhancing their independence in daily life.

My Pharmacy Simulator 
Leveraging ASTRI’s patented display and sensing technology, ASTRI has developed an all-in-one optical see-through HMD based on a single combiner off-axis optical design. This cutting-edge solution seamlessly integrates the user’s experience with both the real world and virtual environments, effectively bridging the gap to the metaverse while prioritising user comfort and operational efficiency. ASTRI’s innovative solution has already been implemented in local public hospital pharmacies to assist in drug recognition and replenishment processes.

Can You Truly Trust Your Vision?
In extreme weather or lightless environments, visibility diminishes, making it unreliable to depend solely on human vision for judgments. To address this challenge, ASTRI has developed ‘Sensor Fusion’ – an advanced multiple-modality image fusion solution. By inputting regular photos, infrared thermal imaging, and night vision images into a novel diffusion neural network, noise is removed and images are merged to generate stable and enhanced fusion images. This technology can improve visualisation and object recognition capability of surveillance and autonomous guided vehicles.

Integrating Factory Management with Smart Manufacturing
Smart manufacturing fundamentally changes traditional manufacturing thinking, enabling communication between machines, and between machines and humans. It shifts towards highly customised, intelligent, and service-oriented business models that can quickly respond to market changes. The digital twin technology developed by ASTRI allows the assembly process to be designed, optimised, and verified before actual deployment, whilst the physical twin enables real robots and equipment to operate according to the optimised plan.

Avatar Creators
With ASTRI-developed computing vision and generative AI technologies, videos of virtual avatars with speech and head animation can be generated. This technology enables fully automated content creation without the need for professional editing or production skills, making it easier to generate impressive videos with virtual characters.

Additionally, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and ASTRI organise public guided tours at the ASTRI Technovation Centre today, showcasing Hong Kong’s I&T achievements, and highlighting the advancements and prospects in developing New Quality Productive Forces and new industrialisation.

ASTRI has arranged a variety of games and tech showcases to deepen visitors’ understanding of its core technologies and applications. These include 5G time-sensitive network technology, 3D integrated circuit and their application in smart cities, radio conversation analysis system, C-V2X virtual autonomous driving game, smart dispensing cabinets, tower crane model for testing construction safety technology, and coaxial confocal 3D line scanning system.

 

 

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Innovative Mind, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New-Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

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China Travel – Embark on a culinary journey in Nanchang

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NANCHANG, China, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC): “Is it city or not?” Recently, the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit has not only sparked a craze for “China Travel” but also this catchphrase. Many Chinese cities have rolled out 144-hour visa-free transit for international travelers.

Tips for Nanchang start with the cuisine. As night fell, a selection of specialty snacks attracted numerous residents to head out for shopping and dining in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province. Let’s embark on a culinary journey together with Li Xiaolong, an international student from Uzbekistan to go to the Bauhinia Night Market in Nanchang.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDD7SzY1tXo

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-travel—embark-on-a-culinary-journey-in-nanchang-302285572.html

SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)

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Glimpsing the future of the industry: The 31st China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair unveils three major trends

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ZHONGSHAN, China, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Light gathers from all directions and sets the trend. The 31st China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair grandly opened on October 22 and features over 1.5 million square meters of exhibition space. More than 3,500 high-quality brands are competing at the same stage and attract professional buyers from around the world. This all-encompassing one-stop procurement event, combined with a comprehensive industry chain exhibition platform, is set to elevate the lighting industry to a new ecological level.

This year’s exhibition adopts a “1+8+N” format and features a grand lighting fair that showcases over 100,000 products that cover all aspects of the lighting industry. It fully embodies the three key industry trends of smart lighting, green and low-carbon solutions, and integrative innovation, and meets the one-stop procurement needs of buyers worldwide.

Smart lighting
Moving beyond single products to comprehensive solutions

Driven by national policies and consumer demand, smart lighting is entering a phase of rapid growth. According to data from ASKCI Consulting Co., Ltd, the domestic smart lighting market is expected to reach 47.9 billion Chinese yuan in 2024, representing a 12.7% increase compared to 2023.

Smart technology has become the main theme connecting numerous highlights at this year’s exhibition. With advancements in the AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technology and decreasing costs, smart solutions are now widely applied across various specialized fields, including eye-friendly health lighting, home environments, classrooms, agriculture, landscaping, and healthcare. These innovations are breathing new life into the industry and attracting significant attention across several themed exhibition areas.

In the realm of smart technology displays, many exhibitors are showcasing their latest products of the year. These innovations integrate elements such as AI platforms, precise sensors, new energy lighting, energy storage, and new media art, fully reflecting the next level of productivity advancements. This underscores the industry’s dynamic spirit of innovation and its potential for future growth.

Many exhibitors’ representatives have noted that the smart lighting market is gradually evolving. It now includes advanced features such as precise sensing, ambient scene lighting, and remote control. The functionality has expanded beyond simple dimming to include soft-start dimming speed adjustments, multi-color mood lighting, high and low-voltage dimming combinations, and LED full-spectrum lighting for eye health.

From the product information and strategic promotions observed at the exhibition, it is clear that smart technology exhibitors are upgrading traditional lighting into cloud-based smart lighting. This transformation is achieved through chip integration, driver replacements, physical switches, mobile apps, Bluetooth voice control, and more. These companies are gradually evolving from simple product sellers into comprehensive solution providers and emphasizing higher added value to showcase their core competitiveness. This shift helps them avoid the “low-end price war” trap associated with homogeneous products.

This year’s exhibition features a comprehensive display across various fields, including smart cities, whole-house smart systems, emotion-driven lighting experiences, full-spectrum eye-friendly environments, and smart security. These elements have added a strong sense of technological sophistication to the event.

Green and low-carbon solutions
New materials + new energy: Building a sustainable green future

With the implementation of the national dual-carbon policy, the use of new energy, battery storage, and photovoltaic modules is becoming increasingly advanced. The trend toward green and eco-friendly solutions continues to gain momentum.

At the main venue of this year’s exhibition, dozens of exhibitors showcase popular products such as solar streetlights, smart light poles, outdoor energy storage cabinets, smart inverters, energy storage system solutions, and new material components utilizing low-carbon and eco-friendly technologies. These displays highlight the advantages of the “low-carbon + lighting” trend. A variety of unique energy-saving and environmentally friendly products are unveiled, drawing numerous buyers for discussions and negotiations, and creating a constant flow of activity on the exhibition floor.

The integration of green technologies with LED lighting is becoming increasingly close, with key parameters like high-efficiency energy savings, high-power LEDs, and smart energy control seeing continuous improvement. Some exhibitors also introduce integrated solutions for lighting and energy storage, as well as zero-carbon smart lighting systems. These innovations are set to expand the application scenarios for renewable energy and serve as a “new engine” for the high-quality development of the lighting industry.

A number of companies highlight their energy storage products and solutions, including energy storage cabinets, smart inverters, batteries and electrodes, portable power units, all-in-one emergency energy storage systems, and Battery Management Systems (BMS). These offerings attract a substantial number of professional buyers seeking more information.

Larger and more established exhibitors also take the opportunity to showcase images of their factories’ advancements in digital transformation and low-carbon, green manufacturing. This approach aims to differentiate their brand and attract like-minded buyers who value sustainability and innovation.

Cross-industry innovation
Cross-category and cross-industry integration, unleashing infinite possibilities for innovation

As the boundaries between industries continue to blur, this year’s exhibition highlights the trend of merging “creativity + lighting,” establishes new pathways through cross-industry partnerships, and integrates diverse business models. These themes are among the standout features of the event and showcase the exhibition’s strong potential to explore various crossover and niche markets.

Examples include companies extending from light bulbs to complete smart home solutions, expanding from ceiling light products to customized indoor and outdoor projects, and evolving from component suppliers to offering a diverse range of products across all categories. These developments illustrate the limitless possibilities of lighting technology.

The “Internet + Industry” model has gradually matured, with the integration of online and offline platforms becoming a standard strategy for traditional lighting companies to expand their markets and achieve transformation and upgrades.

At this year’s exhibition, several internet companies and third-party organizations participated as industry service providers and showcase a variety of new cross-industry business models. These include a shared platform using the S2B2C model to aggregate professional technicians, which challenges traditional in-house or hired labor practices. There are also platforms operating on a group-buying supply chain model for lighting, which integrate top-tier factory resources to support cross-border e-commerce operations.

Cross-category integration is vividly showcased at the main venue. For example, smart light poles are used as a platform to seamlessly integrate solar panels, display screens, air monitoring, security alarms, and charging devices, which serve as a crucial entry point for building smart cities. Another exhibitor combines eye-friendly lamps, posture sensors, and desks to create an anti-myopia environment and attracts significant interest from many buyers.

At the exhibition, there are numerous new products and displays that blend lighting with home living, business operations, urban landscapes, and the cultural tourism industry, all offering experiences that merit repeated exploration.

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SOURCE China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair

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Brick by brick, member countries work to achieve greater BRICS cooperation

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BEIJING, Oct. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Beijing Review:

As the world seeks stability and growth amid shifting geopolitical sands, the BRICS nations–Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa–are laying more foundational “bricks” for even greater cooperation. This group, expanded in January with the inclusion of new members, is building an influential structure of economic cooperation and development.

During the 2024 BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, BRICS member countries worked to cement their role as architects of prosperity for the Global South, crafting pathways to sustainable development and mutual progress.

The leaders at the summit adopted the Kazan Declaration and outlined the criteria for additional countries to become BRICS partner countries.

“The enlargement of BRICS is a major milestone in its history and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation. At this summit, we have decided to invite many countries to become partner countries, which is another major progress in the development of BRICS,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said during the summit’s open plenary session.

“We must build on this milestone summit to set off anew, and forge ahead with one heart and one mind,” he added.

The Kazan summit “serves as an opportunity to harness our collective strength to build a safer, more prosperous and equitable world,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, adding “in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations. Through solidarity, we seek to advance a unified effort and mutual support among nations.”

During his speech, Xi proposed five major goals of building a BRICS committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchange.

“These proposals will elevate BRICS cooperation to new heights,” Sudheendra Kulkarni, founder of India’s Forum for a New South Asia, said, adding “the idea of building a BRICS committed to peace is particularly important in today’s world, and all countries should respond.”

Many countries in the Global South advocate political solutions to resolving disputes, Wang Youming, Director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, said.

This summit aimed to amplify the voices of these countries regarding ongoing global conflicts and to offer an alternative approach to resolving hotspot issues, Wang added.

Mohammed Saqib, founder and Secretary General of India China Economic and Cultural Council, said that each BRICS country has grappled with unique development challenges and has devised innovative solutions. By sharing these experiences, whether in poverty alleviation, sustainable urbanization, digital governance or public health, member countries can accelerate their progress and avoid pitfalls.

Exchange and mutual learning among the diverse civilizations of BRICS nations are key to fostering deeper cooperation and integration, Saqib said. This cultural and intellectual cross-pollination is essential for building understanding and identifying shared interests and values, which can serve as the foundation for long-term strategic alignment.

BRICS members now contribute about one third of the global GDP, more than the combined share of G7 countries. They account for about 31 percent of the world’s land, 46 percent of the global population and 20 percent of global trade. The group also account for about 40 percent of the world’s oil production and reserves.

“This means BRICS is in a position to meet the development requirements of not only its members but also non-member states and help alleviate global poverty,” Yu Sui, a researcher with the China Center for Contemporary World Studies, said.

Kulkarni said that the expansion of BRICS has created a favorable atmosphere to push forward a new paradigm of global development, which is equitable and environmentally sustainable and fulfills the social and economic needs of the majority of the world population.

As the global landscape evolves, BRICS is poised to enhance development opportunities for countries in the Global South, Andile added. Stressing the urgency of accelerating some key BRICS initiatives to maximize their impact.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brick-by-brick-member-countries-work-to-achieve-greater-brics-cooperation-302287849.html

SOURCE Beijing Review

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