News

PolyU Aviation Researcher Supported by Google to Advance Urban Positioning and Navigation Technologies

Urban navigation has undergone substantial technological advancements in recent decades, enhancing smart living environments while improving human life. With his ongoing research in this impactful field covering location-based services and navigation and positioning technologies, Dr HSU Li-Ta, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, and Limin Young Scholar in Aerospace Navigation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received an unrestricted grant from Google to advance research in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and sensor fusion technologies. Titled “Research on 3D Mapping Aided GNSS Precise Positioning for Vehicular Applications,” Dr Hsu's awarded project centers on a novel urban positioning and navigation method to be used in mobile phones and intelligent vehicles. In densely built-up urban areas with skyscrapers like Hong Kong, GNSS positioning may be inaccurate as satellite signals are reflected off buildings. The new method utilizes 3D mapping technology to calculate the length and strength of the reflection of signals, thereby achieving a remarkable lane-level positioning accuracy in urban areas.  Dr Hsu has previously worked with Google’s Android Location Team in Mountain View, California as a visiting research scientist. During his visiting, he collaborated closely with industry leaders to enhance mobile positioning technologies by improving the accuracy and reliability of GNSS and sensor fusion. The outcome of his research has been applied to location services on Android devices, benefitting a large number of phone users worldwide. The grant aims to encourage leading researchers in advancing technology with innovation. It willprovide support for Dr Hsu’s pioneering work into GNSS and sensor fusion technologies, addressing the evolving demands for precise and trustworthy positioning technology for better user experiences, and exploring new opportunities for urban applications. Dr Hsu said, “It is a profound honour to receivethis grant. I am grateful for the invaluable experience and support provided by my colleagues at PolyU and collaborators at Google. Working with the experiences I obtained in Android Location Team, in particular, presented me with a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of mobile positioning technology. With the support of this grant, I hope to explore new solutions that can make GNSS technology more robust and accessible for users worldwide.” Dr Hsu was a two-time winner of the PolyU President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement, in the category of Knowledge Transfer in 2021 and of Teaching in 2023 respectively. The grant further highlights his outstanding research as well as PolyU’s contribution to global urban navigation and mobile positioning technologies.   Reposted from Research and Innovation Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University [Original post]

Dr Li-Ta Hsu Honored for Authoring 2023's Most Cited Paper in NAVIGATION Journal

Dr Li-Ta Hsu has been recognized at the ION GNSS+ 2024 conference (Baltimore, Maryland) for authoring the most cited paper in 2023 in the esteemed NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation. The paper, titled "Factor Graph Optimization for GNSS/INS Integration: A Comparison with the Extended Kalman Filter," co-authored by Dr Weisong Wen, Dr Tim Pfeifer, and Dr Xiwei Bai, has garnered significant attention and acclaim in the field of navigation and positioning technologies. Published in the 2021 issue of NAVIGATION (Volume 68, Issue 2, Pages 315-331), the paper explores innovative methodologies in GNSS/INS integration through factor graph optimization, offering a comprehensive comparison with the traditional extended Kalman filter approach. This work has been pivotal in advancing the understanding and application of navigation systems, influencing both academic research and practical implementations. Dr Hsu's recognition at the ION GNSS+ 2024 in Baltimore highlights the significant impact of his research within the global navigation community. This prestigious annual conference, hosted by the Institute of Navigation, serves as a key platform for experts and innovators to exchange insights on the latest advancements in positioning, navigation, and timing technologies. Dr. Hsu's achievement not only reflects his dedication to the field but also showcases our department's commitment to advancing cutting-edge research.

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 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.

Dr Hailong Huang secured the Smart Traffic Fund

The project titled “Development of a Personalised and Connected Advanced Driver Assistance System”, led by Dr Hailong Huang, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, was awarded the Smart Traffic Fund (STF) with a total amount of $ 4,510,578. This project aims to develop a personalised and connected advanced driver assistance system, which covers both driving habits of individual drivers and motion prediction of surrounding vehicles, so as to improve driving safety by providing predictive warnings and driving advice.   STF set up by the Transport Department of the HKSAR Government provides funding support to local organizations or enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing the efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. More details can be found at www.stf.hkpc.org.   Read the approved note in full on the Hong Kong Government Press Releases page: https://stf.hkpc.org:8443/2023/03/29/psri-47-2209-pr/

AAE Student Awarded HKIE Scholarships 2022/23

An AAE student Mr ANG Jershon Ainsleigh Entote was awarded The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Scholarship 2022/23. He is one of the three awardees among all eligible institutions in Hong Kong this year. The HKIE Scholarship scheme aims to recognize the academic achievements of outstanding full-time engineering undergraduate students and to develop them into future engineers. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to two to three students who major in HKIE-accredited engineering programs in any local university.   Congratulation to Jershon!

AAE Master Student won the Gold Prize at the Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023

One of our AAE master students, Mr. CHENG Li (team leader), in collaborating with a CEE Student Mr. ZENG Haoxu, EBM Student Ms. YU Lingyan, BEEE Student Ms. WANG Fuqiu, and EE Student Ms. CHENG Jie, won the Gold Prize with HKD 5,000 cash award at the “Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023 The Innovation Competition: Our Livable City, We Engineer” for their project “the Moss”. The team, Prof. WEN Chih-Yung and Dr HUANG Hailong (the advisor of the project) were invited to the “Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023 Opening Ceremony” on 3 March 2023 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum to celebrate the excellent achievement and share the project with the officiating guests and engineers. “The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers: Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023 The Innovation Competition: Our Livable City, We Engineer” is organized by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and invites students to become engineers by transforming their vision of a future city into 3D models and videos. Through leveraging their creativity and incorporating concepts such as smart city and sustainability into their designs, they live the lives as engineers and take pride in creating a future livable city. The next-generation city Quantum, the work of the team, is a future city highly integrated with green energy, sustainability, and intelligence transportation, based on the Internet of thing system MOSS. MOSS system displays personal physical condition and life information to individual users and collects and processes the overall information of the city. For more details: https://youtu.be/Gb5hNA439OA The Department is proud of Mr CHENG’s outstanding performance. Congratulations!

Dr Fan Li secured the Smart Traffic Fund

The project titled “Driving Style-based Adaptive Virtual Training Platform: Build Safe Human Driving Habits in Autonomous Driving, led by Dr Fan Li, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, was awarded the Smart Traffic Fund (STF) with a total amount of $ 1,974,381. The study takes a pioneering step in analysing and training the driving habits in autonomous driving. In addition, it innovatively develops a customized and adaptive driving training platform based on driving style.   STF set up by the Transport Department of the HKSAR Government provides funding support to local organizations or enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing the efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. More details can be found at www.stf.hkpc.org.   Read the approved note in full on the Hong Kong Government Press Releases page: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/11/P2023011100257.htm. Featured in E-zone (a local IT magazine – digital version): Read in Chinese  

PolyU AAE ranked no. 1 in Hong Kong and no. 44 in the world in Aerospace Engineering

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Simon Yu’s and his team received the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022 - Outstanding Award in Knowledge Transfer: Industry. Led by Prof. Yu, the team includes Dr CHAN Hon Lung Nelson (Senior Research Fellow, AAE); Mr CHEUNG Tsz Kong (Project Fellow, AAE); Mr HUANG Riyong (Research Associate, previously with EE and now with AAE since July 2022); Mr ZOU Bin (Research Assistant, EE); and Mr LIAO Jingxing (Research Assistant, EE). The award is a recognition to Prof. Yu and his team’s accomplishment in knowledge transfer and its potential impact. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Yu and the team!