PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute partners with Hangzhou MTR and Hangzhou Shenhao Technology to drive innovation in smart rail technology

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute has signed collaboration agreements with Hangzhou MTR Corporation Limited (Hangzhou MTR) and Hangzhou Shenhao Technology Co., Ltd (Hangzhou Shenhao Technology) to jointly develop intelligent operation and maintenance technologies for rail transit and to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) technology laboratory. These initiatives are set to inject new momentum into the development and digital transformation of National railway technologies.

The signing ceremony was held on 20 August in Hangzhou. Witnessed by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); and Mr NG Wai-hung, General Manager of Hangzhou MTR, the agreement was signed by Prof. Yi-Qing NI, Director of the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Director of the National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Center (Hong Kong Branch), Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Mr TSE Che-ming, Deputy General Manager of Hangzhou MTR.

The partnership between the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Hangzhou MTR will focus on the joint development of intelligent operation and maintenance technologies for rail transit, including vibration analysis of floating slabs, pantograph condition monitoring, green energy vibration power generation and Distributed Acoustic Sensing system applications. By leveraging their respective strengths, both parties aim to accelerate the transformation of research outcomes, enhance corporate innovation capabilities, and elevate the technological standards of rail transit operation and maintenance.

On the same day, another agreement was signed by Prof. Yi-Qing Ni and Mr LI Tao, Vice President of Hangzhou Shenhao Technology. The agreement was witnessed by Dr Lam Tai-fai; Prof. Christopher Chao; Mr CHEN Rushen, Chairman of Hangzhou Shenhao Technology; and Mr CAO Guangke, Director and CEO.

The Research Institute will collaborate with Hangzhou Shenhao Technology, Beijing Shenhao Computer Integration Co., Ltd and Wan Juan Rail Transit Intelligence Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd to jointly establish an AI technology laboratory. The partnership will focus on deep cooperation in vertical applications of AI large models, and intelligent operation and maintenance, as well as coordinated talent development. Key application areas will include smart rail transit operation and maintenance, and privatised government deployments, with the goal of comprehensively enhancing the competitiveness of domestic technologies.

During the visit, PolyU representatives toured both companies and engaged in in-depth exchanges on innovative technologies and development directions in the rail transit sector. PolyU aims to leverage this collaboration to integrate its accumulated research achievements in rail transit with Hangzhou’s industry ecosystem, transforming them into innovative technologies for national infrastructure and contributing to the development of new quality productive forces.

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