ASTRI Showcases Smart Technologies for Healthcare, Food, Living and Mobility at InnoEX 2026

The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is participating in the InnoEX 2026, which is taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 13 to 16 April. This participation marks ASTRI’s first public engagement following its strategic merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) on 1 April 2026, highlighting its enhanced research and development (R&D) capabilities. The merger brings together pioneering ICT technologies and advanced materials expertise, creating strong synergies that drive greater innovation and enable more impactful practical applications.

Under the theme “Leading Innovation • Breaking Boundaries”, ASTRI’s booth showcases 40 market-ready innovations across four key areas: Healthcare, Food Technology, Smart Living, and Mobility Technology. Highlights include advancements in construction and property management technology, artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy technology, electronics and batteries, green materials, nanotechnology and sustainability-led innovations – all contributing to the growth of smart cities.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, and Mr Daniel Cheung, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy of the HKSAR Government visit ASTRI’s booth at InnoEX in support of the Institute. Photo source: ASTRI

Driving Innovation for Economic Growth

Ir Prof Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, described the merger of ASTRI and NAMI as a significant milestone for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) sector, injecting fresh impetus into the city’s high-quality economic development. “ASTRI will continue to drive technology transfer and commercialisation through R&D collaborations and licensing, while further fostering partnerships among the I&T ecosystem. This will accelerate the journey from lab to market, benefiting industries and society at large. Together, we aim to build a smarter, greener and more resilient future, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global I&T hub.”

He also emphasised ASTRI’s commitment to collaborate with global partners leveraging Hong Kong’s unique “super-connector” role, showcasing the city’s R&D excellence on the world stage.

Board Chairman and senior executives of ASTRI officiate at opening ceremony, (from left) Mr Savio Ng Chief Commercial Officer, Ms Jenny Yiu, Chief Operating Officer; Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer; Ir Prof Sunny Lee, Board Chairman; Dr Ying Huang, Chief Technology Officer; and Dr Tracy Liu, Deputy Chief Technology Officer. Photo source: ASTRI

Enhanced Capabilities for Creating Total Solutions

Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, highlighted the institute’s expanded research capabilities following the merger. “By uniting advanced technologies with materials science, we are delivering more innovative and holistic solutions to enhance our clients’ efficiency and competitiveness. We are delighted to participate in this mega event, showcasing ASTRI’s post-merger capabilities to global stakeholders across government, industry, academia, research and investment, while exploring new avenues for collaboration.”

He added that the breadth and depth of technologies on display at this year’s InnoEx have set a new record, underscoring the synergies created by the merger. He cited examples such as ASTRI’s advanced 5G-enabled remote-control tower crane systems, its Edison Awards 2026-finalist precision positioning technology, and high-strength lightweight concrete designed for modular integrated construction (MiC) as innovations transforming the construction industry.

“This integrated solution reduces structural weight by 25%-40%, significantly lowering transportation and lifting costs while improving installation accuracy. Paired with energy-saving Nano-curtain coating and carbon-neutral biochar concrete, it further advances the sustainability of construction projects,” he explained.

ASTRI showcases 40 market-ready technologies at InnoEX. Picture shows Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI (left) and Ir Prof Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI at the fair. Photo source: ASTRI

Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology with Advanced Materials

In addition, ASTRI has developed a comprehensive fall prevention solution for the elderly, combining behavioural prediction, alert systems, and protective materials to enhance safety. “Leveraging behavioural sensing analytics and pressure detection technology, our system effectively predicts the likelihood of falls and issues early warnings. This is complemented by an impact-absorbing intelligent floor mat that disperses and converts the force of a fall into heat energy, reducing the risk of injury. Seniors can also wear the comfortable and form-fitting hip protectors to further minimise the risk of fractures.”

ASTRI has also blended advanced materials with innovative technologies to create breakthrough green energy solutions. These not only improve energy efficiency and storage but also enhance resilience to extreme weather and stabilise energy supply, driving the sustainable development of smart cities. Other key innovative solutions include:

Healthcare

• CHIMP: Continuous Health Information Monitoring Patch: Co-developed with the Hospital Authority and Tin Shui Wai Hospital, this wearable device collects real-time vital data from hospitalised patients, enhancing care efficiency and patient safety. It won the Gold Award in the Smart Living (Smart Healthcare) category at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025.

• Probiotics Revitalising System (PRS): Probiotic strains with demonstrated skin-health benefits are rendered dormant using our PRS technology, then revitalised upon topical application on skin to help promote a balanced microbiome.

Food Technology

• Intelligent Tactile Sensing for Fruit Ripeness Detection: Advanced sensing technology has been brought from the lab to farms and food processing facilities, ensuring fruits are harvested and delivered at peak ripeness and quality.

• 3D Printable Formulations for Texturised Food: It enables the 3D printing of nutritious care food with definite shape and layer fidelity, fabricating whole meat and fillets that can fulfill the protein needs of the elderly, alongside biting and chewable pleasure.

Smart Living

• Embodied Intellibot System: Powered by Vision-Language Models (VLMs), these robots can perceive environments, understand and execute human instructions. Suitable for home, industrial, and healthcare applications, they ensure safety and reliability.

• 55°C+ High-temperature Resistant Li-ion Batteries: Machine learning-optimised electrolyte solvents & additives cut 80% standby loss, extend cycle life by 25% under high temperature, ideal for outdoor energy storage in high-temperature environments.

Mobility Technology

• Generative Pretrained Model for Multi-Modal Traffic Data: Revolutionising urban traffic management system with artificial intelligence.

• Self-Levelling Backfill Materials: Traditional road damage and collapses caused by inadequate soil compaction are mitigated with this self-levelling, self-compacting backfill material. It can be continuously pumped into trenches, improving construction efficiency and road quality.

Ir Prof Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, members of ASTRI’s Board of Directors and senior executives of ASTRI attend the opening ceremony to show their support and encouragement to the R&D team. Photo source: ASTRI

About ASTRI

Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city’s largest government-funded R&D center. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 global patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong’s high-value economic development.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — For a factory worker in Haiti, the war in distant Iran means he now has to walk two hours to work and the same distance home each day, because he can no longer afford public transportation.

On a recent morning, Alexandre Joseph, 35, fretted about his family’s future in a loud voice, attracting the attention of passersby in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.

“The government raised the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene, hitting my family. I now am unable to feed my two children on the salary I have,” he said.

The conflict in Iran has caused oil prices in Haiti to surge, disrupting critical supply chains, doubling transportation costs and forcing millions of undernourished people to cut back on already scarce meals.

Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit the hardest by rising oil prices that experts warn will deepen a spiraling humanitarian crisis.

On April 2, Haiti’s government announced a 37% increase in the cost of diesel and a 29% increase in the cost of gasoline.

“The consequences are huge,” said Erwan Rumen, deputy country director for the United Nations World Food Program in Haiti. “It’s one of the most fragile countries in the world.”

Almost half of Haiti's nearly 12 million inhabitants already face high levels of acute food insecurity. In recent months, Rumen noted, about 200,000 people dropped from the emergency phase to the acute one, a significant milestone.

“What is a bit frightening is to see that so many efforts could be basically wiped out by things that are completely out of our control,” he said. “This part of the population is extremely fragile. They’re on the verge of collapsing completely.”

Gang violence has exacerbated hunger, with armed men controlling key roads and disrupting the transportation of goods. An increase in food prices will only worsen hunger in a country where gangs easily recruit children whose families need food and money.

Emmline Toussaint, main coordinator of Mary’s Meals' BND school-feeding program in Haiti, said that gas stations in some regions are selling fuel 25% to 30% higher than even what the government stipulated because of gang violence and difficulties with trucks trying to access certain areas.

She said the U.S.-based nonprofit is forced to use boats and take longer and multiple roads to feed the 196,000 children they serve across Haiti to avoid armed groups.

“The humanitarian crisis that we’re facing right now is at its worst,” she said. “So far, we are doing our best not to step back. Now, more than ever, the kids need us. … Most of them, it’s the only meal they receive.”

Fedline Jean-Pierre, a soft-spoken mother of a 7-year-old boy, sat under the shade of a tattered beach umbrella as she mulled increasing the prices of carrots, tomatoes and other produce she sells at an outdoor market in Port-au-Prince.

“People are not buying now because they don’t have money,” she said, noting she likely won’t have a choice but to increase prices to survive. “I have a child to feed.”

The 35-year-old mother said she and her son have lived for two years in a cramped and unsanitary shelter, among the record 1.4 million Haitians displaced by gang violence in recent years.

“The government doesn’t do anything for me,” she said. “Gas is up now, meaning everything will go up.”

Street vendor Maxime Poulard buys charcoal from suppliers to resell at a higher price. Occasionally he sells two bags of charcoal a day, but he thinks he soon will only be able to afford to buy half a bag to resell.

“Traveling is expensive; eating is expensive; everything is expensive,” he said. “I’m not sure if I will be able to hold on much more.”

Nearly 40% of Haitians are surviving on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank. Meanwhile, Haiti’s economy contracted for the seventh consecutive year, with inflation reaching 32% at the end of fiscal year 2025.

Joseph, the factory worker, said he plans to sell soft drinks at night out of his home to try and earn more money, but even then, that won't be enough: “We’re also going to reduce the way we normally eat.”

On April 6, Haitians dragged burning tires and other debris to block streets and protest the increase in fuel prices in Port-au-Prince, of which an estimated 90% is controlled by gangs.

Local media reported gunfire as some Haitians forced the drivers of small colorful buses known as tap-taps to disembark their passengers.

Marc Jean-Louis, a 29-year-old tap-tap driver, said passengers are increasingly bartering fares, but he can't afford to offer discounts.

“All the money is going toward gas,” he said as he called on the government to reduced prices “so that everyone can breathe.”

Haitians fear more violence as the country’s poverty and hunger deepens.

Rumen, with the U.N.’s World Food Program, said they’ve been unable to reach 60,000 people in Haiti’s central region who are awaiting aid. A powerful gang recently attacked the area, killing more than 70 people, according to the U.N.

“We're going to have more needs and less resources,” he warned.

Allen Joseph, program manager for Mercy Corps in Haiti, said rising oil prices are crushing the country’s fragile economy: “The families already spending most of their income on food will face impossible tradeoffs.”

He warned the increase will affect access to basic services, including potable water.

“This is not an abstract inflation,” he warned. “It will directly impact survival.”

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Workers ride in a cargo truck transporting cement in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A gas station advertises prices in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Gas station employees prepare to fill a tank with gas in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)