The Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy (RCLAE) is a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing unmanned/autonomous air system technologies and their wide application including low-altitude transportation and logistics (LATL) within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond. Established to harness the growing potential of the low-altitude economy (LAE), RCLAE aims to significantly contribute to economic development, innovation, and sustainability in urban air mobility. It is established by integrating PolyU’s strength in both aeronautical engineering and aviation, which is unique in Hon Kong and .GBA.
LATL involves the use of low-altitude aircraft, such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, helicopters, and small drones, to transport people, deliver packages and perform a wide range of industrial and service tasks below 1,000 meters. The GBA governments are actively promoting LATL, which is poised for rapid growth, becoming a crucial part of the trillion-dollar LAE. This dynamic economic sector encompasses a wide range of activities, including aircraft research and development, manufacturing, flight infrastructure, and low-altitude flight services.
RCLAE was established in response to the increasing demand for efficient low-altitude operations and the need for a centralized hub for research, development and knowledge base in this field. As an international business hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead the way in the low-altitude economy, supported by the GBA’s strong technology clusters and government initiatives like the "Guangdong Province Action Plan for Promoting High-quality Development of Low-altitude Economy (2024-2026)."
By leveraging Hong Kong's strategic location, RCLAE seeks to facilitate seamless goods and passenger transportation across the GBA and beyond. The centre's establishment marks a significant step toward addressing the challenges associated with large-scale implementation of LATL, ultimately enhancing mobility, improving trade, and fostering economic growth across multiple sectors, including tourism, retail, industry and transport.
To fully realise the potential of LAE, in addition to research and development, it is equally important to train and educate future engineers, operators and users that are ready for this emerging industrial sector. Master of Science in Low-altitude Economy is set and led by RCLAE. Outcomes in fundamental research and applications and the facilities in LAE provide an excellent environment for training students of this MSc programme.
In summary, RCLAE is committed to driving the future of low-altitude airspace management and establishing Hong Kong and the GBA as leaders in the rapidly evolving low-altitude economy. Through innovative research and collaboration, RCLAE will play a vital role in shaping the landscape of urban air mobility for years to come.
