Director's Message

Intelligent wearable technology is an emerging disruptive technology that demands a huge paradigm shift in traditional apparel and electronic products. Human-centric wearables have high levels of intelligence, with many additional functions enhancing our everyday lives on top of their conventional features. They can effectively see, feel, listen, talk, learn new things, memorise information, repair themselves, change their colour, shape or pattern, communicate with others via electronic media, mobile telephones and the Internet, lift weight and even provide their own power. Wearable technology applications offer ample opportunities in online healthcare, online education, sports, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, personal protection, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), entertainment, etc.

The Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) was established on 1 May 2021 with seed funding of $30,000,000 over three years from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The RI-IWEAR’s membership spans multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials, textiles and clothing, design, electronics, mechanical engineering, computing and occupational health and safety. It builds on the existing strengths of the Research Centre for Smart Wearable Technology, hosted at the Institute of Textiles and Clothing with the collaboration of colleagues on the PolyU campus.

The RI-IWEAR aspires to be the leading research institute in intelligent wearable systems via an impactful interdisciplinary research programme, global academic and industrial collaboration, knowledge and technology transfer and human resource enhancement. It will make significant contributions to knowledge advancement, the creation of new technologies, the cultivation of IWEAR professionals and the development of new technology industries in Hong Kong and beyond.

Prof. Xiaoming TAO

Director, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems