HKUST Pioneers Lunar Robot for Chang'E-8 mission

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been appointed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to lead the international "Hong Kong Operation Robot" project for the Chang'E-8 mission. The project will unite global aerospace scholars and experts to develop a multi-functional lunar surface operation robot. Equipped with a mobile charging station and capable of dexterous operations, the robot is designed to make significant contributions to the nation's lunar exploration missions.

The HKUST interdisciplinary team fully supports the national Chang'E-8 Lunar Exploration. From left: Prof. Gao Yang, Prof. Shi Ling, Prof. Sun Qingping, Prof. Walter Wang and Prof. Duan Molong.

To support this international endeavor, the HKSAR Government has established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center (HKSREC) under the InnoHK research clusters. HKSREC will spearhead the project, fostering cross-institutional and cross-regional collaboration. Under the leadership of HKUST, the "Hong Kong Operation Robot" will be developed in partnership with academic and research institutions in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas. This initiative aims to drive cutting-edge innovation across the entire aerospace technology lifecycle—from conceptualization, research and development, and production to testing, and system integration.

As part of the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, the Chang'E-8 probe is scheduled for launch around 2029. Its mission is to advance the establishment of the future International Lunar Research Station. The spacecraft will land at the lunar south pole with a suite of international surface robots, including the "Hong Kong Operation Robot", to conduct scientific research. This robot, designed by HKUST's interdisciplinary teams, will play a critical role in operating within the Moon's extreme environment, demonstrating unprecedented performance, precision, and capabilities.

Equipped with dual robotic arms—a global first in deep space exploration, the robot will be capable of deploying and installing instruments, collecting lunar surface samples, and more.

HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting remarked, "China's aerospace sector is advancing with extraordinary momentum and has achieved globally recognized milestones in deep space exploration. Capitalizing on its unique position of being 'backed by the motherland and connected to the world,' along with its robust scientific research capabilities, Hong Kong is actively advancing the development of aerospace science and technology and bolstering the space economy. Through participation in the Chang'E-8 mission through HKSREC and the project 'Monitoring Greenhouse Gas Emission Point Sources from the China Space Station,' funded under the Innovation and Technology Support Program Special Call on Aerospace Technology, HKUST is contributing to the international growth of China's aerospace program. By leveraging its research strengths in areas such as AI, robotics, materials science, and thermal engineering, HKUST is facilitating the translation and practical application of aerospace research outcomes. These efforts will not only elevate Hong Kong's global competitiveness in aerospace technology but also strengthen its role as an international hub for innovation and technology, while generating meaningful economic impact."

A group photo of five HKUST scholars who are leading the international "Hong Kong Operation Robot" project. From left to right: Prof. Walter WANG Zhe, Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Prof. DUAN Molong, Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Prof. SHI Ling, a Professor in both the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Prof. GAO Yang, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Prof. SUN Qingping, Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

The project is led by Prof. GAO Yang, an internationally renowned expert in space robotics, Director of the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre (HKSREC), Director of the HKUST Centre for AI Robotics in Space Sustainability (CAIRSS), Co-Director of the Space Science and Technology Institute, and Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Prof. Gao is designing the robot's "operational brain." Equipped with dual robotic arms—a global first in deep space exploration—the robot will be capable of deploying and installing instruments, collecting lunar surface samples, and more.

After the Chang'E-8 probe lands, the robot will transport other instruments or sensors to their designated locations. The Moon's South Pole presents a unique and challenging landscape, characterized by rugged terrain, impact craters of varying sizes and drastic elevation changes. Deep craters freeze in billion-year-old shade, while mountain ridges are bathed in perpetual sunlight. The robot must be capable of real-time perception of the lunar terrain, autonomous path planning and optimization, and operation under extreme temperature fluctuations without satellite navigation support. These conditions pose significant design challenges.

To address them, HKUST's research team is developing an AI-powered operational framework that enables the robot to function safely throughout the mission. This software-defined architecture integrates machine learning with ground stations and the robot itself, dynamically adjusting autonomy levels based on real-time conditions to achieve unprecedented situational awareness and adaptability. Whether through Earth-based AI-enhanced remote vision processing or fully autonomous onboard 3D mapping and visual-inertial navigation, the robot maintains an optimal balance between efficiency, speed, and unwavering safety.

Prof. Gao is designing the robot's "operational brain."

Prof. Gao remarked, "I am honored to lead this national mission with outstanding teams from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas through HKUST and HKSREC. This reflects HKUST's recognized strengths in research and international project coordination, as well as our commitment to advancing the nation's aerospace endeavors. The HKSREC will build Hong Kong's foundational capabilities in aerospace technology while cultivating high-caliber talent. As an interdisciplinary field, aerospace technology will enable the HKSREC to not only elevate Hong Kong's expertise in aerospace research and engineering but also generate significant impact across industries such as AI, robotics, computer science, microelectronics, and communications."

Prof. Duan is responsible for developing the robot's ultra-dexterous control systems.

Prof. DUAN Molong, a robotics control expert and core member of the HKSREC, is responsible for developing the robot's manipulation systems. He also serves as Associate Director of Center for Smart Manufacturing and Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at HKUST. He outlined the project’s primary challenges: "The lunar environment—characterized by extreme temperature, radiation, pervasive dust, and computational and power limitations—presents significant challenges to traditional manipulation techniques." His team's dual-arm robotic system will enable precise sample acquisition and payload deployment, transforming the robot into a mobile manipulation and service platform poised to contribute to lunar science and infrastructure development.

Prof. Shi's team focuses on the seamless integration between the robot’s mobility and control systems.

Prof. SHI Ling, an expert in robot path planning and a core member of the HKSREC, emphasized the critical need for seamless integration between the robot's mobility and control systems. He holds joint appointments as Associate Director of HKUST-DJI Joint Innovation Laboratory and the Space Science and Technology Institute and is a Professor in both the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at HKUST. "True autonomous operation requires intelligent, task-oriented decision-making under strict constraints," he stated. His team is developing a hierarchical planning system to optimize task prioritization and path efficiency, enabling the robot to adapt to unforeseen obstacles and respond to emerging scientific needs in real-time, thereby maximizing operational efficiency during each lunar day.

Prof. Wang's team is developing a sophisticated thermal management system using advanced materials and controlled fluid loops.

Addressing the Moon's extreme temperature fluctuations—which swing from +120°C to -180°C—is Prof. Walter WANG Zhe, a thermal control system expert and a core member of the HKSREC. He also serves as Associate Director of the GREAT Smart Cities Institute and Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST. "My team is developing a sophisticated thermal management system using advanced materials and controlled fluid loops to maintain the robot's core components within a safe operating temperature range throughout the lunar day and night," he said.

Prof. Sun is contributing an innovative experimental payload to validate next-generation thermal management technologies in the space environment

Prof. SUN Qingping, Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at HKUST, is contributing an innovative experimental payload to validate next-generation thermal management technologies in the space environment. "Testing new materials and cooling strategies in the actual lunar environment is crucial for future, extended lunar missions," he explained. These experiments will provide critical data for developing thermal control systems for future lunar and deep space exploration.

The Hong Kong Operation Robot represents a significant leap forward in lunar exploration technology and underscores HKUST's world-class research capabilities. The HKUST-led collaborative effort, involving over 100 interdisciplinary researchers from around the world, is poised to solidify Hong Kong's pivotal role in the nation's aerospace missions. It showcases the powerful convergence of intelligent operation, precision control, adaptive planning, and resilient engineering, pushing the boundaries of human exploration on the Moon.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately one in every 100 children worldwide, yet many families face lengthy waits for professional assessment and intervention services, often missing the critical window for early support. To address this challenge, researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed "ASD Super Agent," Asia's first integrated AI platform for autism support. By integrating three core functions—early screening, personalized intervention, and continuous family follow-up—the HKUST team hopes this innovative research will help parents identify potential autism risks earlier, access evidence-based professional recommendations, and precisely seize the key timing for early intervention, providing families with immediate and comprehensive support.

HKUST research team has developed “ASD Super Agent”, Asia’s first integrated AI platform for autism support. Led by Prof. Kani CHEN (center), Professor of the Department of Mathematics and Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics at HKUST; CHEN Xingze (left), a postgraduate student from Individualized Interdisciplinary Program; and WANG Xianfei (right), a postgraduate student from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST. Photo source: HKUST

Led by Prof. Kani CHEN, Professor of the Department of Mathematics and Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics at HKUST, the research team visited special education institutions, child development centers, and psychiatric hospitals across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Beijing during the development of “ASD Super Agent”. The team also engaged with nearly 500 parents of children with autism. The researchers found that many families face lengthy assessment waiting times, high treatment costs, and fragmented information regarding intervention services. Consequently, the HKUST team developed “ASD Super Agent” specifically for parents and caregivers, transforming AI research into a practical autism support tool that offers one-stop assistance from risk assessment to home-based training recommendations.

Prof. Chen said, “Many families struggle to access timely assessment and sustained support for children with autism. Delays in diagnosis can mean missed opportunities during the most effective period for intervention. By leveraging HKUST's strengths in artificial intelligence, data science and interdisciplinary research, we hope ASD Super Agent can bridge this gap, empowering parents and caregivers with practical, evidence-based support and helping more children receive timely intervention.”

Early Screening Through Everyday Home Videos

Parents can use a smartphone or smart device to record short videos of a child’s daily activities, complete standardized questionnaires, and provide basic developmental information. “ASD Super Agent” then generates a risk assessment and analytical report that families can use as a reference when seeking professional evaluation. Photo source: HKUST

One of the platform's key features is AI-assisted early autism risk screening in natural, everyday settings. Parents can use a smartphone or smart device to record short videos of a child’s daily activities, complete standardized questionnaires, and provide basic developmental information. “ASD Super Agent” then generates a risk assessment and analytical report that families can use as a reference when seeking professional evaluation.

In preliminary testing, the system achieved an area under the curve (AUC) score of 0.92 (where values closer to 1 indicate stronger discriminative precision), demonstrating strong screening performance. As the platform remains under testing and development, further clinical studies and real-world validation will be conducted before deployment. To safeguard users’ privacy, the platform follows a strict data-minimization approach by prioritizing on-device posture feature-extraction and processing only essential information required for analysis.

Personalized Intervention Powered by the "20+1" Framework

Through “ASD Super Agent,” the HKUST team aims to empower parents to identify potential autism risks earlier and obtain evidence-based professional guidance, thereby enabling them to act at the most critical juncture for early intervention and delivering timely, comprehensive support to families. Photo source: HKUST

Beyond screening, “ASD Super Agent” provides tailored intervention recommendations based on each child's specific developmental needs. Parents can describe their child's specific challenges such as emotional regulation difficulties, limited eye contact, communications challenges, or repetitive behaviors and receive customized support suggestions.

The platform's distinctive "20+1" framework combines the strengths of established evidence-based intervention approaches with professional expertise from practitioners. The "20" refers to more than 20 internationally recognized autism intervention models embedded within the system, while the "+1" enables therapists, special education providers and organizations to incorporate their own proven intervention methods and practical experience into the platform's knowledge base.

By bringing together research-based methodologies and frontline professional expertise, “ASD Super Agent” can provide recommendations that are both scientifically grounded and responsive to the individual needs of children and their families.

The intervention approaches incorporated in the platform include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), TEACCH Structured Teaching, and the Localized BSR Model, among others.

Each recommendation can also be accompanied by relevant academic literature and background references, supporting more informed discussions between families and healthcare or educational professionals and helping children access timely intervention during the crucial developmental window.

Supporting Families While Advancing Autism Research

Parents can describe their child's specific challenges, such as emotional regulation difficulties, limited eye contact, communication challenges, or repetitive behaviors, and receive customized support suggestions. Photo source: HKUST

Recognizing that autism support is an ongoing journey, “ASD Super Agent” is designed to provide continuous follow-up rather than one-time guidance. By integrating text records, video assessments and developmental information provided by families and professionals, the platform builds a dynamic developmental profile for each child. It can help break long-term goals into manageable daily actions, track progress over time, and support informed discussions between families and professionals.

The platform currently supports voice interactions in Cantonese, Putonghua and English, making it accessible to a broad range of users.

Beyond family support, the research team has established a multimodal autism database containing video, posture and behavioral data that now exceeds 1.1 million records. This valuable resource provides a foundation for AI model development and autism research. Through continued data collection and analysis, the team aims to improve risk assessment accuracy, enhance the precision of intervention recommendations, and deepen understanding of autism development and support strategies.

Looking ahead, the researchers will continue to refine the platform's user experience, expand clinical validation studies, and further strengthen system performance. Their goal is to make high-quality autism support more accessible, inclusive and readily available to families in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.