Two research projects led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have won over HK$100 million funding from the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2024/25. PolyU has consecutively secured this substantial amount of funding support for its impactful inter-disciplinary research, contributing to Hong Kong’s sustainable development.
Prof. TAO, Xiaoming, Chair Professor of Textile Technology of School of Fashion and Textiles and Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, leads the project “Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices,” which has been awarded funding of HK$62.4 million.
Prof. Johan Hoorn, Professor of School of Design and Department of Computing, leads the project “Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population,” which has received funding of HK$40.1 million.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “PolyU's awarded projects have wide-ranging application potential and bring tangible benefits to society, fully demonstrating the University's exceptional interdisciplinary research capabilities. PolyU has consistently performed excellently in the Theme-based Research Scheme, supporting our efforts to make important contributions to Hong Kong's long-term development. We will continue to expand innovative and cutting-edge research that enhances welfare for the world and leads to a brighter future.”
Prof. TAO’s project aims to lead global research in multi-sensory emulation wearable devices, capitalising on PolyU’s exceptional multidisciplinary experts and facilities in flexible materials, sensors and actuators for Internet of Things (IoT), wearable and biomedical applications, electronic fabrics, mathematics for artificial intelligence, acoustics and signal processing.
This research has far-reaching impacts that extend beyond the development of novel fiber-based multi-sensory emulation wearable devices. Ultimately, it also contributes to diverse social and industrial fields, encompassing healthcare, IoT, smart city, art technology, robotics, education, sports, fashion and textile and personal protection.
Prof. Hoorn’s project is undertaken to provide psychological support for the Hong Kong population, with 61% experiencing stress, anxiety, depressed, and a negative mood. It utilises Embedded Large Language Models (LLMs) to train social robots, incorporating localised, cultural, and personal data. The research aims to bring personalised mental care to individuals who may otherwise be overlooked by the official medical care system.
In addition to the development of social robot and avatar for mobile applications connected to the new HK AI-hub, the project will also develop a new software architecture for distributed computing, scalability and privacy protection. The innovation will benefit the working population of Hong Kong, care professionals, social workers, and AI and robotics developers. An online platform is planned to be established for developers of robot and avatar solutions, with a focus on the care domain, and it will also cater to other applications like education, hospitality, and entertainment.
PolyU's projects funded by the Theme-based Research Scheme 2024/25:
|
Project Coordinator |
Prof. TAO, Xiaoming |
|
Project Title |
Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices (MSEWDs) |
|
Abstract |
This project aims to emulate the less enhanced yet urgently needed Touch (tactile) and Smell (olfactory) sensations by a study of multi-sensory emulation wearable devices (MSEWD) that reveals their operational mechanisms, and develop key technologies and applications.
The target of MSEWDs include
This project has great potential to fundamentally alter the metaverse technology and influence industrial fields as diverse as for healthcare, IoT, art technology, robotics, sports, fashion, textiles, and beyond. |
|
Approved Budget* |
HKD 62.378 million |
|
Project Coordinator |
Prof. Johan Hoorn |
|
Project Title |
Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population |
|
Abstract |
This project will develop human-like at-home social robots with embedded large language models (LLMs) using localised, cultural, and personal data to provide customised mental health support for the mentally underserved population in Hong Kong. Complementary on-screen avatars for mobile applications will also be delivered. A new software architecture will enable distributed computing, scalability, and privacy protection. Training protocols, logic-symbolic AI, and design guidelines will be created for novel methods and functionality, evaluated in situ by local communities. This will inform a communication model capable of predicting and recognising signs of stress or low mood and intervening with empathetic dialogue, help-seeking information, or professional care referrals.
The long-term goal is to reduce the burden on Hong Kong's formal mental health system while empowering citizens to better self-manage their well-being through accessible, AI-driven social support.
The working population, especially care professionals and social workers, stand to benefit, alongside an established online platform for AI and robotics developers in the care domain and open to other application areas such as education, hospitality, and entertainment. |
|
Approved Budget* |
HKD 40.899 million |
*RGC provides 90% of the approved budget and the remaining 10% will be provided by the coordinating University.
***END***
