Digital, Information & Telecommunications CommitteeCommittee Activities

Dive into the world of automation – How to stay competitive with AI, Big Data and Robots

Automation is transforming the logistics industry through the use of robotics and hardware systems. Wong Yiu-Man Wong, Principal Consultant, BPS Logistics Technology, shared how digitization and big data analysis can help companies to optimise productivity while minimising errors. He also introduced the trend of warehouse automation system and elaborated on how companies could increase their operational efficiency through the use of robotic arms, carton shuttles and automated forklifts.

Visit to SmarTone 5G Lab @sky100

The roll-out of 5G technology across Hong Kong last year has brought the city one step closer towards its vision of becoming a world-class smart city.

On 29 September, a group of Chamber members enjoyed a tour of the SmarTone 5G LAB @ sky100, which showcases how 5G technology is currently being applied across fields including retail, transport, health and construction.

The tour included an introduction to a range of current and upcoming initiatives, such as the safety monitoring system for Tai Lam Tunnel and electric buses, which rely on 5G technology, as well as other innovative technologies such as big data, cloud and artificial intelligence. Members also took part in interactive displays and enjoyed panoramic views of the city skyline from the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre.

Exclusive Tour to HKPC 5G Future Hall

On a visit to the Hong Kong Productivity Council’s 5G Future Hall on 9 July, members learnt about some of the latest 5G technology-enabled initiatives, including an Autonomous Delivery Mover (MiniMover), which can deliver goods over short distances while avoiding collisions. They also viewed new innovations ranging from smart robots and cloud gaming to remote-controlled robotic arms. Members then visited HKPC’s Reindustrialization and Smart Manufacturing Hall – Hong Kong's first "Industry 4.0" demonstration centre, which provides visitors with an insight into smart operations and the factory of the future.

Supply Chains Digitalisation: The Future of Freight & Logistics

Compared to other industries, the freight and logistics sectors have only recently begun to incorporate new technologies into their operations. At a webinar on 29 June, IBM’s Karen Ko, Chris Leung and Jenny Zhang shared their insights on how companies can effectively leverage technologies like blockchain and the Internet of Things to promote information sharing and collaboration across the supply chains, thereby encouraging innovation to transform the industry for the better. They also said that the pandemic had highlighted the need for companies to adapt and modernize quickly to keep their operations running and better weather the crisis.  Several characteristics of blockchain – enhanced privacy, greater transparency and the immutability of records – make it an advantageous technology for the freight and logistics industry.

Shaping a Cashless Economy

With the granting of eight virtual banking licenses in 2019, Hong Kong is now one step closer to becoming a cashless economy, with digital wallets and virtual banks increasingly becoming part of our everyday lives.

At a webinar on 16 June, Emily Leung, Senior Analyst at Euromonitor International (Hong Kong), shed light on how digital payment technologies are reshaping Hong Kong’s payment landscape and promoting financial inclusion. She said that Hong Kong had observed a spike in debit card transactions in 2020, driven by the popularity of contactless payments and digital wallets. Other factors included the development of penetration strategies in the virtual bank market, and financial inclusion initiatives that encourage consumer spending.

What is Logistics 4.0 and why it matters

As logistics and supply chains increasingly become digitally driven, the main challenges to companies seeking to become Logistics 4.0 competent involve identifying what their needs are, and to then find appropriate solutions.

At a webinar on 27 May, Kelvin Ko, CEO of BPS Logistics Technology, shared industry use-cases and gave practical advice on how companies can use technology such as Autonomous Guided Vehicles, Autonomous Guided Forklifts and High Bay Robots to enhance their warehouse and supply chain operations. He said that supply chain automation allows employees to devote more attention to inventory management and quality inspection, thus making it possible for companies to make better use of their staff and improve logistics efficiency.

Understanding China's E-commerce Playbook

China boasts the world’s largest e-commerce market, driven by a booming population of middle-class citizens with increasing purchasing power, favourable government policies and the rapid development of innovative technologies. The opportunities for businesses in this digital market are vast, but standing out in this crowded space also comes with obstacles.

At a webinar on 11 May, Franck Chevallier, APAC Head of Presales and Solution at Linkbynet, and Olivier Durand, E-commerce Senior Consultant at Clever Age, shed some light on how businesses can navigate the challenges of China's evolving regulations and e-commerce landscape to join this competitive space. They also shared a number of case studies on how foreign companies have successfully established a greater market presence in China through choosing the right strategies for digital infrastructure and hosting.

Solving Business Challenges with CUHK Business School Researchers

The Summit of Unsolved Problems -- or SOUP Summit -- a cross-border initiative from the CUHK Business School and Shenzhen Finance Institute of CUHK-Shenzhen, will take place on 7 May. Its aim is to pool ideas from small and large businesses to produce practical and innovative technology backed solutions for many of the shared challenges they face. Solving these bottlenecks will benefit not just the businesses involved, but also academics and society at large.

At a webinar on 22 March, Ling Cen, Associate Professor at CUHK Business School and Associate Director of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Finance Research Centre, shared more details about the SOUP Summit. He explained that it is the first of its kind in Asia, and would serve as a platform to connect industry practitioners with researchers to help businesses to find the right tools and strategies to address their problems and generate positive social impact. For more details about the Summit, please visit here.

Honing Hong Kong’s Smart City Capabilities

Tony Wong, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer, and Daisy Lo, Principal Assistant Secretary for Innovation & Technology, spoke at a webinar on 1 March where they shared some of the highlights from the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0 that was unveiled late last year.

Hong Kong’s Smart City plans include a total of 130 new and ongoing initiatives, grouped under six key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, Smart People, Smart Government and Smart Economy.

The speakers explained how these strategies could enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong, and quality of life for citizens, through a variety of technological initiatives such as the use of mobile applications and establishment of an innovative Smart LAB.

Marcos Chow, IT Advisory Partner and Head of Technology Enablement at KPMG China, also provided a private sector point of view on the updated smart city agenda, and shared his thoughts on how corporates can contribute to the city’s sustainability.

Explained: All Things About WhatsApp

WhatsApp’s announcement in early January to update its privacy policy attracted considerable attention worldwide. At a webinar on 8 February, Clair Deevy, WhatsApp’s Director of Public Policy, and George Chen, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy for Hong Kong, Taiwan & Central Asia, said that changes to its privacy protection mechanisms will not, among others, affect personal messaging on WhatsApp, or expand WhatsApp’s policy to share data with Facebook beyond what was previously announced in 2016. They also introduced the various features of WhatsApp for Business, including its new cloud-based hosting services.