News

Prof. Hsu Li-Ta, Prof. Wen Weisong, and Dr Zhang Guohao Honored with the 2024 Most Cited Manuscript Award by the Institute of Navigation

The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is proud to announce that the paper “Hong Kong UrbanNav: An Open-Source Multisensory Dataset for Benchmarking Urban Navigation Algorithms”, co-authored by Prof. Hsu Li-Ta, Prof. Wen Weisong, and Dr Zhang Guohao, together with their collaborators, has been awarded the 2024 Most Cited Manuscript Award by the NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation (ION). The award was presented at ION GNSS+ 2025, held from September 8–12, 2025, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The recognition celebrates the paper as the most frequently cited publication in 2024, highlighting its strong influence on the global research community in positioning, navigation, and autonomous systems. The awarded paper, published in NAVIGATION (Vol. 70, No. 4), introduces Hong Kong UrbanNav, a publicly available multisensory dataset designed for benchmarking urban navigation algorithms. By enabling researchers worldwide to evaluate and compare navigation solutions under complex urban conditions, the dataset has accelerated innovation in autonomous driving, robotics, and smart city development. The award-winning team includes: Prof. Hsu Li-Ta Prof. Wen Weisong Dr Bai Xiwei Dr Huang Feng Dr Ng Hoi-Fung Dr Zhang Guohao Mr Zhong Yihan  Their collaborative achievement exemplifies the importance of open science and international cooperation in addressing key challenges in mobility and intelligent transportation. This international recognition not only honors the authors’ pioneering contributions but also underscores PolyU’s leadership in advancing navigation and positioning research for the future of intelligent transportation systems.

PolyU delegation participated the 8th COMAC International Science and Innovation Week

The 8th Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) International Science and Technology Innovation Week, themed “Sky Link: Sustainable Aviation for the Future,” was launched at the Beijing Civil Aircraft Technology Research Center of COMAC on 8 September 2025. This year, the focus was on new-energy aircraft, artificial intelligence, the low-altitude economy, and the transformation of the air transport system. It brought together over 500 experts and stakeholders from government, academia, industry, research institutes, and industry associations across nine countries and regions.   A delegation from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) participated in this event, including Professor Chih-Yung WEN, Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering and Director of the COMAC–PolyU Research Institute for Large Aircraft (RILA); Professor Siyang ZHONG, Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering; as well as representatives from the PolyU Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and RILA. PolyU delegation took part in the opening ceremony, the SciTech and Young Talent Forum, and thematic seminars such as the Low‑Altitude Economy seminar, engaging in in‑depth discussions with representatives from leading institutions, including Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Khalifa University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, exploring opportunities for future collaboration.   COMAC–PolyU Research Institute for Large Aircraft (RILA) Established in November 2024 as a joint initiative between COMAC and PolyU, RILA is dedicated to advancing the development, innovation, and deployment of large‑aircraft technologies in support of China’s strategic aviation objectives. Leveraging PolyU’s strengths in aeronautical engineering and digital technologies, alongside COMAC’s extensive expertise in aircraft design, manufacturing and operations, RILA addresses critical challenges across the full aircraft lifecycle. Currently, RILA is supporting research projects focusing on digital‑intelligent manufacturing, predictive maintenance, operations optimisation, and sustainable recycling solutions. Through joint efforts between PolyU and COMAC in research projects, patent applications, high-quality publications, and training for postgraduate students, RILA aims to enhance the competitiveness, reliability, and sustainability of China’s large aircraft sector, positioning Hong Kong as a significant contributor to both national and global aerospace innovation.

AAE Scholars ranked among World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists

Nine PolyU AAE scholars are ranked the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in 2025. This prestigious acknowledgment, compiled and announced annually by researchers at Stanford University, USA, is determined by citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in various authorship positions, and a composite indicator. Congratulations to our academic staff for their unwavering dedication to achieving research excellence! This recognition highlights their significant contributions and influence within their respective fields of expertise. Prof. CHEN Wen-Hua  Prof. WEN Chih Yung Prof. LIU Wei Prof. NG Kam Hung Prof. HSU Li Ta Prof. HUANG Hailong Prof. SHEN Xi Prof. WEN Weisong Dr ZHANG Guohao Data available at Elsevier: https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/8 Published: 19 September 2025|Version 8|DOI:10.17632/btchxktzyw.8

Mr Ang Jershon Ainsleigh Entote's Journey with The HKIE Scholarship in 2024-25

We are excited to share that Mr ANG Jershon Ainsleigh Entote, a recipient of the HKIE Scholarship, has shared a new video showcasing his involvement in HKIE activities over the past year. As a 2022/23 awardee, he has excelled in his studies and met all scholarship requirements throughout his four years of study. The HKIE Scholarship scheme recognises the academic achievements of outstanding full-time engineering undergraduate students and aims to develop them into future leaders in the field. We invite you to view Jershon's video, embedded below.     Congratulations to Jershon for his achievements and contributions to the engineering community! --- Read more about Jershon's achievement and the award presentation ceremony: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/aae/news-and-events/news/2023/13mar-aae-student-awarded-hkie-scholarships-202223/.

AAE Students Take Flight in China Universities Aircraft Design Competition

Seven Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering (AAE) students recently participated in the China Universities Aircraft Design Competition (CUADC), marking the department’s debut in this meaningful event. Organized by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, CUADC has engaged over 3,000 students from 120 mainland institutions annually since 2022. Held during 14–16 August 2025 at Deqing Moganshan General Airport in Zhejiang, the East and South Regional Selection Trials challenged teams to design unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and rescue missions. Key focus areas included autonomous control systems, target identification, and precision supply delivery. This hands-on experience allowed AAE students to apply theoretical knowledge, explore their interests, and engage with peers from across the mainland, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.   The team’s participation was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Hong Kong Airlines, reflecting the airline’s commitment to supporting future talent in aviation and engineering.   We commend our students for their initiative and encourage others to take part in similar competitions, which offer invaluable opportunities for learning, innovation, and professional growth.

Prof. Huang Hailong's Team Wins Awards at PolyU International Future Challenge and ICUI Conference

Prof. Huang Hailong's team achieved success in the Shanghai division of the PolyU International Future Challenge, securing both the Most Creative Award and Most Popular Award for their project, "Last Centimeter Drone Delivery in Urban Environments." In addition to this achievement, the team also excelled at the International Conference of Urban Informatics (ICUI), where their paper on the same topic earned the Third Place Best Conference Paper Award. The project's success has attracted attention from industry stakeholders, further validating its potential to redefine last-centimeter logistics in high-density urban areas. This innovative paper addresses the inefficiencies of traditional parcel delivery systems by enabling drones to autonomously navigate complex urban environments and deliver parcels directly to customers' balconies. This award reflects its contribution as a solution for future smart city drone delivery.    Congratulations to the Team Members: Mr Cao Hao, Mr Lan Bowen, Mr Meng Qingyang, Mr Shen Zhipeng, Mr Zhou Guanzhong and Prof. Hailong Huang

Event Recap: The 28th ATRS World Conference

Towards a greener, sustainable and resilient aviation The 28th ATRS World Conference was successfully organized by the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) during 1 – 4 July 2025. This event aimed to advance air transport research and education, addressing the increasing demand for a skilled workforce in the aviation and aerospace industry across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the Asia-Pacific region. The conference attracted more than 400 participants from various countries and regions—including but not limited to Australia, Canada, South Korea, the United States, and several European nations—this gathering showcased a rich mix of perspectives and expertise, highlighting the commitment to fostering collaboration among industry professionals.  Global researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts participated in the conference to exchange knowledge, insights, and innovative ideas. Experts and industrial leaders came together to address rising demands, intense competition, and new safety concerns in air transportation and future air mobility. Key activities included an online plenary session, keynote speeches from notable industry leaders, and specialized sessions on air cargo operations, aviation forecasting, and sustainable practices. The conference featured several key themes that addressed pressing issues in the aviation industry: Sustainable Aviation: Discussions addressed the urgent need for sustainable practices in aviation, with insights on the development and implementation of sustainable aviation fuels. Air Cargo and Global Trade: The plenary session on "Air Cargo in a Multi-Polar World" explored the evolving dynamics of global trade and the critical role of air cargo in logistics, focusing on how geopolitical shifts influence air cargo strategies. Regional Policies and Infrastructure: A special session highlighted the unique challenges and investment frameworks specific to the Middle East. Innovations in Airlines and Airport Operations: Academic sessions focused on advancements in aviation technology, including demand modeling and forecasting practices, showcasing innovative approaches to optimize air travel and enhance operational efficiency. This event served as a vital platform for networking and collaboration, reinforcing ATRS's mission to support innovative research and foster multi-national partnerships in the air transport sector.   More about Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) The Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) was launched as a special interest group of the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTR) during the 7th Triennial WCTR Conference at Sydney in 1995. The objectives of the society are as follows: To help organize and expand the air transport related sessions at the WCTR Conferences; to attract more people from airlines, airports, governments, research institutes and academia to the WCTR Society and its activities; To exchange research ideas and results via more frequent symposia, conferences or regional meetings than the WCTR Conference can provide via its main conferences every three years; To enhance research capability for truly multi-national and multi-disciplinary issues on air transportation. For example, good research on the globalization of airline industry requires expertise in various disciplines (economics, engineering, law, management, operations, planning and others) as well as good knowledge of the international, regional, and national institutions and regulations related to air transportation; To interact with various international and national institutions which deal with policy and/or infrastructure issues concerning international aviation. Examples include the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Trade Organization, the European Commission, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, etc. To eventually provide forums to facilitate the exchange of ideas for forming multi-national and/ or multi- disciplinary research teams to investigate topics of world- wide or continental interest.

Event Recap: Green Horizons Symposium

The "Green Horizons: Symposium on Sustainable Future in Aviation and Advanced Air Mobility" was successfully held on 30 June 2025, attracting more than 160 participants from around the globe. Sponsored by the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy (RCLAE) and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the event featured insightful keynote presentations from renowned experts, including: Prof. Daniel Delahaye (Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile, Toulouse) Prof. Mark Hansen (University of California, Berkeley) Prof. Hong Lo (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) Prof. Anming Zhang (University of British Columbia) The symposium showcased the latest advancements in Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), covering topics such as multi-airport operations, carbon taxation impacts, and safety in advanced air mobility. Participants engaged in lively discussions, fostering a collaborative environment to explore sustainable practices in aviation. The event concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and innovation in the field of advanced air mobility. We look forward to future activities that will continue to advance this vital field!

AAE Students Won the Most Popular Solution Award of the Inter-departmental Final Year Project 2024/25

We are delighted to announce that AAE students excelled at the Inter-departmental Final Year Project 2024/25. Their innovative work was recognized with the prestigious Most Popular Solution Award. The award-winning project, titled “Safe and Agile Flight of UAVs for Target Tracking” showcased the exceptional talents and dedication of our students. This project focuses on improving drones, also known as UAVs, to automatically follow fast-moving targets safely and efficiently. Under the supervision of Prof. Huang Hailong, the team has developed both hardware and software that will allow the drones to navigate complex environments, like avoiding obstacles while flying quickly. This could be especially useful for live-streaming sports events, where capturing fast action is crucial. The team members include: LAW Ching Yuen PU Yuxuan XIONG Huawei YIU Fai Hung ZENG Muxi Congratulations to our talented students for their outstanding achievement! We are proud of their dedication and commitment to advancing the field of aviation engineering.

AAE Student Wins the PolyU Research Student Conference Best Presentation Award 2025 and the IET Prize 2024

The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering is proud to announce that our undergraduate student, Mr SHU Yunxiang, has recently received notable recognitions. He was awarded the Best Presentation Award at the PolyU Research Student Conference 2025 for his project, “Optimising Last-Mile Delivery Network: Locker-Drone Logistics System Design under Uncertain Demand.” Under the guidance of Prof. Kam Hung NG, this project addresses the challenges of urban "last mile" logistics distribution by developing an optimisation model for the Locker-Drone Logistics System (LDLS). Mr SHU’s project introduces a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model called the Locker-Drone Logistics System Planning Problem (LDLSPP). This model integrates various strategic and operational decisions, such as locker layout design, drone deployment, inventory management, and drone scheduling, with the goal of minimising total logistics costs. An improved Benders Decomposition Algorithm combined with a Branch-and-Cut method is used to solve the problem efficiently. Additionally, Mr SHU has been selected as the awardee of the IET Prize 2024, presented by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Hong Kong. This award recognises students not only for their academic achievements but also for their leadership skills demonstrated through extracurricular activities. We are proud of Mr SHU’s hard work and contributions. Please join us in extending our congratulations to him on these achievements!   More about PolyU Research Student Conference Best Presentation Award 2025 The award aims to celebrate exceptional research students participating in PolyU Research Student Conference 2025, encouraging the pursuit of innovation for a sustainable future. Each recipient will receive a certificate and a cash prize of HKD 6,000.00 while the runner-up per session – HKD 3,200.00.  More about IET Prize The prize honors students with exceptional academic achievements who are also engaged in extracurricular activities, engineering organizations, and community service. This prize reflects IET’s commitment to inspiring, informing, and influencing the global engineering community while promoting technological innovation to address societal needs. Each recipient is awarded a certificate along with a cash prize of HK$3,000.