In a rapidly evolving world where innovation drives progress, PolyU is committed to conducting cutting-edge research. Recently, PolyU secured over HK$100 million from the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Theme-based Research Scheme 2024/25, funding two impactful interdisciplinary projects that reshape technology and enhance societal well-being in Hong Kong. Additionally, Professor Christina Wong has been honoured as an RGC Senior Research Fellow, further cementing PolyU’s leading position in pioneering impactful research.

Prof. Tao Xiaoming (left) leads the project “Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices”, and Prof. Johan Hoorn (right) leads the project “Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population”.

Pioneering wearable technology

Imagine a future where your clothes are a blend of sensors and actuators, monitoring your health, enhancing your city experience, and even protecting you. This vision is being realised by Professor Tao Xiaoming, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Chair Professor of Textile Technology in the School of Fashion and Textiles, and Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems. Leading the project “Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices” with a HK$62.37 million grant, Professor Tao strives to integrate advanced wearable technology seamlessly into our lives.

Professor Tao’s project aims to lead global research in multi-sensory emulation wearable devices, capitalising on PolyU’s multidisciplinary expertise and facilities. This research has far-reaching impacts beyond the development of fibre-based wearable devices, contributing to diverse fields such as healthcare, IoT, smart cities, art technology, robotics, education, sports, fashion and textiles, and personal protection.

Social robots to combat stress

Hong Kong’s bustling city life often leads to significant stress and anxiety among its residents. Professor Johan Hoorn from the School of Design and Department of Computing addresses this with his project “Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population”, funded with HK$40.89 million. Imagine a companion that understands your cultural nuances, listens to your concerns, and provides personalised mental health support — all while ensuring your privacy.

Professor Hoorn’s project provides psychological support for Hong Kong residents, with 61% experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression. It uses Embedded Large Language Models to train social robots with local cultural and personal data. The project also involves developing social robots and avatars for mobile applications connected to the new HK AI-hub, creating a software architecture for distributed computing, scalability, and privacy protection. This innovation benefits Hong Kong’s working population, care professionals, social workers, and AI developers.

Championing the circular economy

Prof. Christina Wong has been conferred the title “RGC Senior Research Fellow”.

The world faces significant sustainability challenges, and Professor Christina Wong from the School of Fashion and Textiles and Director of Research and Innovation addresses such challenges with her research on circular economy (CE) governance. Recently honoured as an RGC Senior Research Fellow and awarded approximately HK$8 million, Professor Wong focuses on enhancing CE governance and promoting its institutionalisation.

The CE model involves cycling products and materials back into the economy to reduce global material extraction. However, only 7.2% of global resources are recovered and recycled annually, according to the Circularity Gap Report published at the World Economic Forum in 2023. Despite government efforts in setting action plans and policies, collective industrial efforts are essential for monitoring and controlling waste and resource efficiency. Addressing the knowledge gap on CE governance, the research demonstrates how different business conditions affect CE governance performance and drive its establishment.

Congratulations to all the awarded researchers!