From November 3 to 4, 2026, the Hangzhou Regional Competition of the PolyU International Future Challenge 2026 was held. A total of 18 teams from various innovation and entrepreneurship fields gathered to showcase their technological innovations and commercialisation potential through pre-competition training, project exhibitions, pitching presentations and Q&A sessions with judges. Teams from CNERC-Rail (HK Branch) and the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute (HZRI) achieved outstanding results, winning the Diamond Cup, Gold Award and Silver Award. Their achievements demonstrated PolyU’s strengths in technological innovation, research commercialisation and industry–academia collaboration.
The team led by Dr. Fan-Yi Meng won the Diamond Cup for the project “X-BALL All-Terrain Pipeline Inspection Robot” (IFC26_529). The project focuses on intelligent pipeline inspection and robotics, exploring the application of robotic technologies for pipeline inspection in complex environments. It provides an innovative technological solution to enhance the efficiency and intelligence of infrastructure inspection.
The team comprising Dr. You-Wu Wang, Dr. Yang Lu, Dr. Wen-Qiang Liu, Mr. He-Tao Huang, Mr. Hao-Yang Liu, Mr. Shao-Ying Su and Mr. Yan-Hui Peng won the Gold Award for the project “AI-Powered Intelligent Supervision System for the Entire Safe Operations Process” (IFC26_522). The project focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in workplace safety and operational management. By integrating intelligent sensing, risk identification and full-process safety supervision, the system aims to enhance intelligent safety management and provide innovative solutions for workplace safety and digital management across relevant industries.
The team led by Dr. E Deng won the Silver Award for the project “Meteorological Safety Assurance System for Low-Altitude Flight Operations” (IFC26_498). The project addresses the growing demand for meteorological safety assurance in the low-altitude economy. It explores the application of LiDAR-based wind field monitoring technologies in environmental sensing, meteorological monitoring and flight risk early warning for low-altitude operations, providing technical support for the safe development of the low-altitude economy.
These awards highlight the innovative achievements of teams from CNERC-Rail (HK Branch) and the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute in intelligent robotics, AI-powered safety supervision and the low-altitude economy. They further demonstrate PolyU’s continued commitment to advancing technological innovation, promoting the commercialisation of research outcomes and strengthening industry–academia collaboration, while laying a solid foundation for future technology deployment and industrial partnerships.
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