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, 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 today (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.
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