News

Aeronautical Engineering Students Won the First Runner-Up Prize at 2024 ICUAS UAV Competition

We are proud to announce that a team of AAE students recently won the first runner-up prize at the 2024 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS'24) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Competition held in Chania, Crete, Greece. The competition was inspired by the scenario of robots in agriculture. It challenged participants to develop autonomous UAVs capable of accurately counting fruits in an agricultural setting. It was divided into two stages - a simulation stage in an indoor farm environment. The goal was to count the number of selected plant variety among all the plants in the garden beds using UAV, followed by the final stage with an outdoor scenario.   Led by Prof. Chih-Yung Wen, Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering and Head of the Department, the student team comprising Mr Wenyu Yang, Mr Zheng Tan, Ms Yuanbo Xue, Mr Li-yu Lo, and Mr Bailun Jiang. They competed against 24 other teams from 20 regions around the world. The teams are required to navigate their UAVs, equipped with a front facing cameras, slightly pitched-down 3D LiDAR, GPS receiver, IMU and Pixhawk controller, to identify and quantify different coloured fruits. The top six teams from Hong Kong, South Korea, Brazil, India, Turkey, and Poland advanced to the final competition. The mission was to accurately calculate the number of fruits based on the data package released by the organizing committee, while minimizing energy consumption.   Congratulations to the awardees and participants!   About ICUAS’24 ICUAS’24 UAV is an international competition for research students, co-hosted by Technical University of Crete, the University of Denver, IEEE, IEEE Control Systems Society, IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, and the International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Association, Inc. (ICUAS). It provided an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their engineering expertise on the global stage and benchmark their skills against the brightest minds in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems. 

Inter-departmental Final Year Project 2023/24

We are pleased to announce that AAE students performed very well at the Inter-departmental Final Year Project 2023/24, with details below:   Best Project Award   Champion (BME Project) Rescuing Robotic System with Integrated Flying Drone and Land Rover Project Coordinator: Dr CHEUNG Chung Wai James (BME) Co-supervisor: Ir Dr WONG Wai Chi Duo (BME) Students: NG Tsz Lun (BME) ZHAO Zian (COMP) KWONG Wing Tung (EEE) NG Chun Yin (EEE) PANG Tsz Cheong Jimi (EEE)   1st runner-up (AAE Project) Intelligent Wheelchair Project Coordinator: Dr HUANG Hailong (AAE) Co-supervisor: Dr WANG Bing (AAE) Students: CHENG Yuling (AAE) LAI Hoi Kit (AAE) ISSAMETOV Altair (EEE) MAN Chak Tao (EEE) MYRGYYASSOV Alisher (EEE) SO King Fung (EEE)   2nd runner-up (COMP Project) Human Robot Interaction in Smart Environments Project Coordinator: Dr ZHENG Yuanqing (COMP) Students: CHENG Cheuk Pui (AAE) CAI Yangnuo (EEE) KAN Ho Chun (EEE) LEUNG Ming Kai (EEE) LAU Hoi Yan (ISE)   Creative Project Award (AAE Project) Intelligent Wheelchair   Project Coordinator: Dr HUANG Hailong (AAE) Co-supervisor: Dr WANG Bing (AAE) Students: CHENG Yuling (AAE) LAI Hoi Kit (AAE) ISSAMETOV Altair (EEE) MAN Chak Tao (EEE) MYRGYYASSOV Alisher (EEE) SO King Fung (EEE)   The "Intelligent Wheelchair" project can be viewed through YouTube via the link here.   The "Intelligent Wheelchair" can be controlled via a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI), with the design seamlessly integration of a wide range of control options, from eye tracking and head movements to voice commands and Electroencephalography (EEG). Additionally, the wheelchair is equipped with robust obstacle detection and autonomous navigation capabilities, as well as a fall detection system to prioritize user safety. Congratulations to all the awardees and participants!

AEOLUS shines at the 28th AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition

We are thrilled to share with you that our remarkable DBF team ranked the 18th place out of 108 fierce competitors at the 2024 competition held on 18–21 April 2024 at the Textron Employees’ Flying Club, Wichita, Kansas! The objective for this year’s competition is to design, build, and test an airplane to fulfil Urban Air Mobility (UAM) missions, including the delivery of airplane, medical transport, and urban taxi. With the immense efforts and resilient to challenges, our DBF team excelled well in all these three missions, surpassing PolyU's previous records and achieving an outstanding result this year.    About AEOLUS RC Aeromodelling Team: The AEOLUS RC Aeromodelling Team represents The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) at the renowned American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition. Comprised of talented students from AAE, the team showcases their skills, creativity, and engineering prowess in designing, building and piloting remote-controlled aircraft.   About AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition (click to learn more): The AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition, now in its 28th year, was established in 1996 by the AIAA to provide university students with real-world aircraft design experience. Participants design, fabricate, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an unmanned, electric-powered, radio-controlled aircraft. The competition emphasizes balanced design, flight handling qualities, affordability, and high performance. Each year, new design requirements and performance objectives are introduced to encourage innovation and technological advancements. The competition offers students a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge and contribute to the field of aviation. The full list of awardees for the 28th Design/Build/Fly Competition (2024) can be found here.

The first Hong Kong-GBA Low-Altitude Economy Seminar was successfully held at PolyU

The inaugural Hong Kong-GBA Low Altitude Economy Seminar co-organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong Drone Sports Association (香港無人機運動總會), the GBA Low-Altitude Economic Research Institute (Hong Kong) (粵港澳大灣區低空經濟研究院(香港)), and the Smart City Consortium (Hong Kong) (智慧城市聯盟(香港)) was successfully held on the University campus on 24 March 2024, Sunday. The event drew over 130 experts from government bureaus, business sector and education institutions from the Greater Bay Area to exchange views on the cutting-edge dynamics, development trends, and future cooperation opportunities in the low-altitude economy.   Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, delivered a speech and Prof. Chih-Yung Wen, Head of Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, gave a keynote presentation at the seminar, presenting the university's vision and development direction in the theme of "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Contributions to the Development of Low-Altitude Economy in the Greater Bay Area."   The low-altitude economy encompasses a wide range of industries, including aircraft research and development, low-altitude flight infrastructure, and flight services. Its applications span various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services, making it a crucial driver for constructing a modern industrial system. According to estimates, China's low-altitude economy has already surpassed 500 billion yuan in scale in 2023, with projections to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030.   Prof. Wen stated that the national "14th Five-Year Plan" has given Hong Kong the positioning of " eight centres," consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status in international finance, trade, shipping centre, aviation hub, innovation and technology centre, as well as cultural exchange and tourism. This reinforces Hong Kong exchange and cooperation with countries and regions. With this, PolyU AAE will contribute to Hong Kong's integration into the development of aerospace technology in the Greater Bay Area.   An in-depth dialogue with the theme of "Unleashing the Low-Altitude, Smartly Connecting the Bay Area " was held at the meeting. The discussion focused on how to empower the low-altitude economy construction in the Greater Bay Area, with the participation of Dr Hailong HUANG, Assistant Professor of PolyU AAE, Mr Weijie ZOU, Chairman of the Hong Kong Drone Sports Association, Mr Mingquan QIU, Vice President of XPENG AEROHT (小鵬匯天), Prof. Chenggang JIANG, Associate Dean of School of Aviation, Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai, and Dr Jing XIAO, Senior Researcher of the GBA Low-Altitude Economic Research Institute (Hong Kong). The dialogue session was moderated by Dr Peng YANG, President of Shenzhen CPS Unmanned System Research Institute (深圳市中安無人系統研究院) and Secretary-General of the Drone World Congress (世界無人機大會).   The successful hosting of this seminar demonstrated a shared commitment between the experts to driving innovation, technological applications and sustainable development in the region. It is expected to effectively promote the comprehensive integration of unmanned aerial vehicles, the low-altitude economy industry, and various fields of industry, academia, research, and application in Hong Kong.   Featured in press: Ta Kung Pao Hong Kong Commercial Daily China.com Toutiao.com

Outstanding Student Award of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) 2023

We are delighted to announce that Mr WONG Man Nok, a Year-4 BEng (HONS) Aviation Engineering student, was selected as the Outstanding Student of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering. The award scheme is organized annually by the University to recognize full-time final-year students who excel in both academic and non-academic pursuits during their studies.  Please join us in congratulating Mr Wong. Read more about the Outstanding Student Award Scheme and the full list of awardees in 2023.l

Dr Li-Ta Hsu won the individual award in the President's Award of Outstanding Achievement 2023

Dr Li-Ta Hsu, Associate Head and Associate Professor, Limin Young Scholar in Aerospace Navigation, Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) was awarded the Individual Award - Teaching: Outstanding Young Teacher in PolyU's President's Award for Outstanding Achievement 2023.

AAE Students Inspire Young Aviators with "WingsUp: Teenagers Soaring into Aviation" Workshop

We are delighted to announce the resounding success of the "WingsUp: Teenagers Soaring into Aviation" workshop organized by the talented AAE student team in collaboration with Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School. This remarkable initiative has not only provided secondary school students with an exceptional experience but has also ignited their passion for the world of aviation. The workshop aimed to create an unforgettable platform for young minds to explore the wonders of aviation and inspire their dreams and aspirations. By offering an immersive flight simulator experience and imparting fundamental knowledge about the aviation industry, "WingsUp" has left a lasting impact on the participants. The curriculum covered various aspects of aviation, including aerodynamics, airmanship, radio communication, meteorology, and aviation general knowledge. Participants had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in flight simulators, bridging the gap between theory and practice in an engaging and educational manner. Mr Norman WONG Man Nok, one of the co-organizers, expressed his pride in the success of the workshop, stating, "Through 'WingsUp: Teenagers Soaring into Aviation,' we sought to provide secondary school students with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the wonders of aviation. We wanted to ignite their dreams and aspirations while enabling them to experience the thrill of flight simulation and gain essential knowledge about the aviation industry. It is truly a remarkable achievement." The success of "WingsUp" is a testament to the vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment of the AAE student team. Their dedication and creativity have not only provided a glimpse into the aviation industry but have also shaped the future of aspiring aviators. By igniting the passion for aviation at a young age, they have inspired countless students to pursue their dreams and aspirations. We would like to extend our appreciation to the entire AAE student team and the collaboration with Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School for their exceptional efforts in organizing the "WingsUp: Teenagers Soaring into Aviation" workshop. Their remarkable achievement will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the aviation industry and continue to inspire young individuals passionate about aviation. Keep up the excellent work!

AAE Staff and PhD Student Clinched Champion at HKIE Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division's “CA Paper Award Competition 2022/23”

In a remarkable achievement, two esteemed members of AAE, along with a promising PhD student, have been honoured with the prestigious Champion Award in the Control, Automation & Instrumentation Paper Award 2022/23 (CA Paper Award) at the Working Professional level. The CA Paper Award Competition is co-organized by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) - Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division (CAD) and the Institute of Measurement and Control, Hong Kong Section with the aim to promote the Control, Automation & Instrumentation technologies and to encourage young / potential engineers and technologists. The winning research paper, titled "Urban Level Energy Efficient UAV Path Planning in Windy Environments," captured the attention of experts in the industry. The paper addresses the crucial challenge of optimizing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning in urban settings, particularly in the presence of strong winds. This well-deserved recognition further highlights the expertise and dedication of AAE members and underscores our commitment to cutting-edge research in the field of communication and navigation.

PolyU AAE ranked no. 1 in Hong Kong and no. 24 in the world in Aerospace Engineering

In the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2023 released by ShanghaiRanking on 27 October 2023, PolyU is recognised as the 24th best in the world and 1st in Hong Kong in Aerospace Engineering. It confirms once again our global excellence in education and research in the discipline.   The GRAS comprises rankings of universities in 54 subjects across natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences. The ranking makes reference to research output, research influence, international collaboration, research quality and international academic awards to measure 5,000 universities’ performance in the relevant subjects. More than 1,800 universities across 96 countries and regions are eventually listed in the rankings.   The Department will continue to strive for improvement and lead AAE to a new height. The full version of GRAS 2023 and its methodology can be found here.

Seven AAE Scholars ranked in the World’s Top 2% most-cited Scientists by Stanford University

Seven scholars from PolyU AAE have recently been listed among the world’s top 2% of the most-cited scientists. The ranking is compiled and announced annually by researchers at Stanford University, USA.  The rankings are calculated based on standardized information of citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator. Congratulations to our academic staff who commit to excelling in research excellence! This attainment recognizes their contribution and influence in their own areas of specialty. Prof. Wen Chih Yung Prof. Yu Simon Dr Hsu Li Ta Dr Huang Hailong Dr Liu Wei Dr Shen Xi Dr Wen Weisong Data available at Elsevier: https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/6 Published: 4 October 2023|Version 6|DOI:10.17632/btchxktzyw.6