Water Supplies Department establishes Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (1 September) announced the establishment of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, which focuses on developing pipeline robotics technologies and promoting the research and development for local technologies of water mains inspection robots, named Intelligent Pipescope. These robots will be used to assess the internal conditions of pressurised water mains of the water supply network. The WSD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Shenzhen Bwell Technology Co Ltd to jointly develop the relevant technologies.
In his speech at the ceremony, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, stated that the WSD has committed to collaborating with various institutions to develop and apply advanced technologies in driving the development of smart water in Hong Kong. The WSD is actively exploring innovative methods to enhance the skills and efficiency of water mains inspections. The WSD expects that, through the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, the development of robots for operating in diverse pipeline conditions will be accelerated. This will enable highly accurate inspections, thereby reducing the risks of pipe bursts and leaks, and potentially extending to monitoring water quality.
The core objective of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory is to independently develop multifunctional advanced pipeline robotics technologies, including acoustic sensors, high-definition cameras, and positioning instruments. These robots will also utilise artificial intelligence to analyse relevant data in order to address the unique characteristics of Hong Kong's water supply network, which includes variations in materials, high water pressure, and numerous bends and branches. Taking into account the rapid development and mature applications of robotics technologies on the Mainland in recent years, the WSD considered that robotics technologies that suit Hong Kong's needs will be developed more effectively through close collaboration with a local university and a Mainland pipeline robotics developer. At the same time, the unique complexity of the water supply network in Hong Kong will serve as an ideal testing platform, facilitating the entry of Mainland pipeline robotics technologies into international markets and leveraging Hong Kong's unique position to connect with both the Mainland and the world.
The WSD has consistently strived to optimise water supply services through the efficient use of resources and technologies to meet the needs of Hong Kong's vast population. The establishment of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory represents a significant milestone in the development of smart water. It is anticipated that this initiative will promote more collaboration and application of smart detection technologies between the Mainland and Hong Kong, contributing to positioning both the nation and Hong Kong as global benchmarks in smart water.
Water Supplies Department establishes Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Water Supplies Department establishes Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Water Supplies Department establishes Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 20th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in Macao
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, led a delegation to attend the 20th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao hosted by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government in Macao today (January 15).
The annual Joint Meeting has long been a platform for senior medical and health officials as well as experts from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to exchange views and share experiences on present-day medical and public health issues, as well as to promote healthcare service development. The Joint Meeting is hosted by the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in rotation.
The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Ms O Lam, led senior health officials from the Mainland and the Macao SAR Government respectively to participate in the meeting. Members of the delegations of the three places today engaged in sharing and discussions over three major topics, namely nurturing interdisciplinary and composite talent in clinical management, disease prevention and control, and medical administration; strengthening primary healthcare services to safeguard community health, and the application of smart healthcare in the health sector.
Professor Lo said, "The Recommendations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, features the term 'reform' 23 times, unequivocally underscoring the nation's steadfast commitment to deepening reforms. Hong Kong has consistently been playing an active role in the course of the country's reform and opening up. Serving as a 'super connector' between the Mainland and the world, Hong Kong also functions as an indispensable 'super value-adder', facilitating the nation's effort in going global while attracting foreign investment to the Mainland market.
"The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has consistently emphasised in the Policy Addresses of the past three years the HKSAR Government's full commitment to developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, and to vigorously foster new quality productive forces. To achieve this significant objective, the HKSAR Government is actively advancing various initiatives, including the setting up of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation within this year, with a view to establishing the Centre as an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products as soon as possible; the official launch of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform last month, enabling pharmaceutical companies to conduct trials simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shenzhen; as well as the commissioning of the Real-World Study and Application Centre to promote the standardisation of clinical data across the GBA."
The Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee, and the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung, moderated a discussion and gave a presentation on the application of smart healthcare in the health sector respectively. Meanwhile, the acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Jackie Leung, and the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, delivered presentations on the topic of nurturing interdisciplinary and composite talent in clinical management, disease prevention and control, and medical administration; as well as on the topic of strengthening primary healthcare services to safeguard community health respectively.
Members of the HKSAR Government delegation included the Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, who concluded the discussion at the meeting.
Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong in the evening. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, is the Acting Secretary for Health.
Secretary for Health attends 20th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health attends 20th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
