News

Prof. CAO Jiannong and Prof. Peter NG won Gold and Silver Medals at AEII

COMP faculty members achieved a standout performance at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII), capturing both a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal across highly competitive fields, including robotics, AI, and cultural technologies.  Award: Gold Medal PI: Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science; Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing; Founder & Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU Start-up) Dr LIANG Zhixuan, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Computing; Founder & CEO, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU Start-up) Project: PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance PolyPi-bot is an edge-AI robot for autonomous inspection and cleaning in confined spaces such as pipelines, ducts, and underground infrastructure. It combines real-time AI defect detection, a deformable structure, and full autonomy. Compressed AI models run directly on the robot, enabling real-time identification of cracks, corrosion, and debris without cloud connectivity. Its adaptive design allows it to traverse complex, curved, or collapsed pipelines with ease. The robot also supports modular cleaning tools for removing sediment and obstructions. With no human intervention required, PolyPi enhances safety in hazardous environments.   Award: Silver Award PI: Prof. NG Hiu Fung Peter, Assistant Professor, Department of Computing and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Project: MetaBridge: A 3D Gaussian Splatting and Blockchain Platform for Cultural Heritage Digital Assetization and Immersive Experience MetaBridge is an innovative platform that integrates 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and blockchain authentication to digitise, secure, and share cultural heritage. Using multi-sensor 3D reconstruction, MetaBridge generates highly realistic digital twins of relics and environments. Each asset is secured with blockchain-based certificates, ensuring authenticity, ownership, and traceability. The platform features Web-based editing and one-click deployment to VR, WebXR, or LED immersive systems, enabling creators and institutions to publish cultural experiences without technical barriers easily. MetaBridge supports flagship projects such as Ferryman Academy, where students and communities co-create VR heritage stories, and the Grand Canal Time-Travel Experience, an immersive cultural tourism showcase. By combining advanced rendering, secure asset management, and accessible dissemination, MetaBridge provides a sustainable model for heritage preservation, immersive education, cultural tourism, and creative industries, positioning Hong Kong as a global leader in cultural innovation and digital economy.   AEII is a prestigious annual exhibition cum competition devoted to innovations and inventions in Asia, organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association in partnership with Palexpo, the organiser of the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. This year, the event attracted about 140 projects from around Asia.

Dr Richard Lui’s Project Wins Silver at QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025

Our Senior Lecturer, Dr Richard LUI, has received the Silver Award in the “AI in Education” category at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025 for his project, “AI Literacy to Workplace Excellence: Transforming Education for Next-Generation Professionals.” The project’s Co-Principal Investigator is Dr Jessica Neuville, Associate Professor of Practice at the School of Optometry.   The project incorporates experiential learning activities designed to engage students from diverse disciplines in exploring real-world AI applications. GPTutor, a generative AI-powered learning platform developed by the project team, supports self-directed learning by enabling students to explore course content, ask questions, and receive instant, personalised feedback through tailored review questions. By developing immersive 3D simulations that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, the project equips students with essential workplace skills, preparing them to become career-ready professionals.   Selected as one of the top applications from a pool of 1,600 submissions, the project demonstrated exceptional innovation, impact, and scalability. It advanced through four rigorous evaluation rounds conducted by a panel of 1,300 international higher education and edtech experts, earning recognition for its transformative approach to AI literacy and skills development.

Dr Mohammed Aquil Mirza‘s Project Awarded Second Prize at National Competition

COMP’s Senior lecturer, Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza, and his team have been awarded the Second Prize at the OLVI-säätiö NeuroChallenge 2025, a national competition organised by the Finnish Neurocenter and Business Centre. The event, held from November 14 to 16, 2025, focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance brain health among 55-year-old working adults. Dr Mohammed’s team included international faculty and students, working collaboratively to address important health challenges. Their project utilised Sirius Ception technology to accurately detect early-stage symptoms of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor. The Second Prize recognises the innovative approach and significance of their work in medical diagnostics, with potential impact in both healthcare and wellness markets. This achievement reflects the team’s commitment to advancing early detection and improving outcomes for individuals at risk of movement disorders.

COMP Year 4 Students Win Second Prize at MAIC 2025 National Finals with Innovative Digital Memory Platform "MemoSpace"

A team of COMP Year 4 students has proudly won the Second Prize in the Qidi Track (啓迪賽道) at the 10th China Collegiate Computing Contest – Mobile Application Innovation Contest (MAIC), held in Hangzhou in November 2025. Jointly organised by Apple and Zhejiang University, the prestigious event is highly competitive, attracting nearly 40,000 contestants from over 1,000 universities across China. The team represented Hong Kong on the national stage after securing the 1st Prize at the MAIC Hong Kong Regional Final on 4 July 2025.   Team Members:  LI Kwan To (Leader), LI Chun Fung and LIAN Jiongning Supervisor: Prof. NG Hiu Fung Peter, COMP Assistant Professor Project: MemoSpace: A Digital Memory Platform   MemoSpace is an innovative system that explores how immersive technologies can support the preservation and re-experience of personal memories through spatial computing. The project connects guided data capture with immersive visualisation through two core components: "MemoLens" and "MemoSpace." MemoLens is an AR-based interface that uses real-time visual guidance to help first-time users capture high-quality video data for 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) scene reconstruction. The captured data is then experienced through the MemoSpace application on the Apple Vision Pro, which presents the reconstructed 3D scenes in an immersive environment. Featuring spatial video integration, portal-based navigation between scenes, and intuitive controls, the project successfully lowers the barrier to advanced 3D reconstruction, making content creation and memory preservation accessible to everyone.   Beyond their success in the competition, the team gained invaluable experience through a series of high-profile events leading up to the finals. Over the summer, they attended the MAIC 2025 Summer Training Camp in Hangzhou, an intensive program focused on product refinement. During the camp, they visited the Alibaba (Taobao) headquarters for industry sharing sessions and were selected as one of only five teams to participate in the final mock defence, providing them with high-level exposure and expert evaluation.   Furthermore, on 29 October, the team showcased their project at the Diocesan Girls’ School AI Technology Exhibition. During the event, they had the distinct honour of presenting MemoSpace to Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government. The positive feedback from Prof. Sun, along with valuable interactions with teachers, parents, and students, provided the team with crucial insights into user experience and product design, ultimately contributing to the final refinement of their award-winning system.

COMP Student’s Collaborative Research Wins Best Paper Award at ACIRA 2025

We are delighted to announce that a collaborative research paper, featuring a COMP undergraduate student, ZHEN Zhang Alex, and our Senior Lecturer, Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza, as co-authors, has received the prestigious Best Paper Award at the 2025 International Conference on Advanced Computing and Intelligent Robotics Applications (ACIRA 2025), held in Guangzhou, China, from 7- 9 November 2025.   The paper, titled "Texture-Based Classification Techniques for Sports Surface and Equipment Analysis Using Deep Learning," is the result of a cross-disciplinary effort involving students from COMP, Department of Applied Mathematics (AMA) and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), staff members from the Industrial Centre (IC).   Authors: ZHEN Zhang Alex (COMP Year 4 Student) LIO Kun Hon (CEE Student) CHAN Ka Wan (CEE Student) YIP Hiu Ying, (CEE Student) NG Hoi Yin (CEE Student) LUI Matthew (CEE Student) ZHANG Jiaming (AMA Student) SUN Wanxu (AMA Student) Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza (Senior Lecturer, COMP) Mr LEE Kam-pui (IC) Dr XIAO Mingxiang (IC) Mr CHAN Yu-Keung (IC)   Originating as a semester project in COMP1012 in 2024 and later extended in collaboration with the IC department, the study explores the application of advanced texture-based classification techniques using deep learning (DL) architectures for analysing sports surfaces and equipment. Recognising the critical role of surface textures and material properties in sports performance, safety, and maintenance, the team evaluated the effectiveness of various deep learning models—including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers—in accurately identifying and categorising surface materials and equipment textures.   This work provides a robust framework for automated quality control and predictive maintenance in sports facility management, demonstrating a practical application of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in automation to enhance safety and operational efficiency. The study also addresses practical considerations such as computational efficiency, model interpretability, and deployment challenges, paving the way for real-world implementation of AI-driven surface and equipment analysis in sports technology.

HKXRA x PolyU MScMT Best Project Awards cum XR Dialogue Successfully Held at PolyU

We collaborated with the Hong Kong Extended Reality Association (HKXRA), proudly co-hosted the “HKXRA x PolyU MScMT Best Project Awards cum XR Dialogue” on 17 November 2025. The event celebrated outstanding student innovation in extended reality (XR) and fostered dialogue on the future of immersive technologies.   A highlight of the event was the panel discussion, “Powering the Future of Cultural Tourism Through XR,” featuring distinguished speakers: Mr Lawrence CHEUNG, Director, BD & Services, HTC (GBA/HK), Mr Terry DAO, Chairman, HKXRA, Prof. Peter NG, Assistant Professor and MScMT Programme Leader, PolyU COMP, and Mr Jonathan WONG, Curator and Exhibition Manager, HKDI Gallery. The panel explored how XR technologies are transforming cultural tourism and creating new opportunities for engagement and storytelling.   The MScMT Best Project Awards recognised exceptional student projects in XR, with a total prize pool of HK$100,000 generously supported by HKXRA. The winners are as follows:   Champion (HK$50,000) Project Title: Immersive Hangzhou River Experience: A VR Journey Through 3D Scanning and Digital Interaction Awardees: CUI Yilin, LI Junde, LIAO Caijun, ZENG Xiangyue Supervisor: Prof. Peter NG (Assistant Professor and MScMT Programme Leader, PolyU COMP) Project Summary: This project uses large-scale 3D scanning to create a high-fidelity digital twin of an urban environment, allowing for immersive historical exploration and new applications in virtual tourism.   1st Runner Up (HK$30,000) Project Title: Clinical Conversation Training System Awardees: CHEN Jiahan, LIANG Haopeng, LIAO Binyu, SHI Yufei Supervisor: Prof LIU Yan Fiona (Associate Professor, PolyU COMP) Project Summary: A virtual reality training platform for medical interns that uses conversational AI to simulate high-stakes patient interactions. This scalable solution creates a safe environment for developing the critical communication and empathy skills required for clinical practice.   2nd Runner Up (HK$20,000) Project Title: A Creative System of Chinese Shadow Puppetry in the Metaverse of Intangible Cultural Heritage Awardees: BAO Tianyi, JIANG Shaobo, SHI Zhikang, ZHAN Zhuoyuan Supervisors: Dr Jeff TANG (Lecturer, PolyU COMP) , Prof Anthony KONG (Assistant Professor, PolyU School of Design) Project Summary: This virtual reality system digitizes the intangible heritage of shadow puppetry by utilizing motion controls within a metaverse platform to enable new forms of cultural transmission and creative expression.  

Prof. Zhang Lei and Prof. Cheng Ran Recognised in “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” List by Clarivate Analytics

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed academic staff have been recognised in the prestigious “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” list by Clarivate Analytics. This international accolade highlights their significant contributions and broad influence in the fields of engineering and computer science.   Prof. ZHANG Lei, Chair Professor of Computer Vision and Image Analysis Prof. Zhang has been named a Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) in Engineering multiple times since 2015, underscoring his lasting impact and influence in the discipline. His research has been cited over 73,000 times in the Web of Science, with an impressive H-index of 121. Prof. Zhang’s research interests encompass image and video processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, and biometrics. In addition to his research achievements, Prof. Zhang is an IEEE Fellow and serves as the Director of the Joint Innovation Research Centre, further solidifying his role as a leader in the field.   Prof. CHENG Ran, Associate Professor and Presidential Young Scholar Prof. Cheng has been recognised in the Computer Science category, receiving this honour since 2023. His research focuses on advancing Computational Intelligence to tackle modeling and optimization challenges in complex systems. Prof. Cheng is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine Outstanding Paper Award (2021), and the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Outstanding Early Career Award (2025).   Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers list recognises academics who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their respective fields of research. This year, 6,868 scholars from 60 countries and regions have been named. The selected scholars have authored multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year over the past 11 years. Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000.   For the full list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025, please click here. 

Prof. WU Yujie Honoured with China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Award at 2025 World Young Scientist Summit

We are proud to announce that Prof. WU Yujie, our Assistant Professor and Presidential Young Scholar, has been honoured with the prestigious Brain-inspired Intelligence Award, a category of the inaugural “China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Awards.” The award ceremony was held during the 2025 World Young Scientist Summit on 24 October 2025 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.   Six outstanding young scientists under the age of 40 were recognised at the first "China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Awards," jointly organised by the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS) and the State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence at Zhejiang University. The awards celebrate significant contributions to the fields of brain-inspired intelligence and brain-computer interfaces.   Prof. Wu’s research focuses on brain-inspired artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience, and machine learning, with the primary aim of bridging neuroscience and AI to advance general intelligence. At the summit, Prof. Wu was awarded for his series of studies on brain cognition modeling and brain-inspired intelligence algorithms.   Click here to know more about the award.

COMP UG Students Win Best Student Paper Award at IEEE ICNSC 2025 Conference

We are proud to announce that a team of undergraduate students from the COMP 4436 course (Artificial Intelligence of Things) has been awarded the Best Student Paper Award at the 22nd IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing, and Control (ICNSC), held from October 1–3, 2025 in Oulu, Finland.   The winning paper, titled “Energy-Efficient and High-Accuracy AIoT Visual Sensing Using K-Vote, Transfer-Spiking Net, and Reconstructive Classifier,” was developed as part of the students’ semester project. The student team comprises: CHANDRA Kent Max, COMP Year 4 Student WANG Youkang Albert, COMP Year 4 Student PAZO RECIO Lucas, AP Year 4 Student CHAR Cheuk Tung George, COMP Year 4 Student Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza, COMP Senior Lecturer   Abstract of the Paper: The increasing deployment of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) applications necessitates efficient and accurate visual sensing models, yet a comprehensive comparison of machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and spiking neural networks (SNN) within this domain remains limited, creating a gap in understanding their relative effectiveness for resource constrained environments. This study aims to evaluate and compare representative models across five paradigms: supervised ML, unsupervised ML, supervised DL, unsupervised DL, and SNN; by implementing novel approaches such as K-Vote, Reconstructive Classifier, and Transfer Spiking Net, on simple binary image classification datasets. Employing performance metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and runtime efficiency, our results demonstrate that the Transfer Spiking Net achieves an accuracy of 99.2%, approaching the state-of-the-art, with comprehensive visualizations and analysis revealing the strengths and limitations of each method. The contributions of this work include a systematic performance comparison, the proposal of innovative neural network models, and the release of open-source code to support future research in AIoT visual sensing applications.  

PhD Student SHEN Leming received the Distinguished Artifact Reviewer Award Multiple Times in Top-Tier International Conferences (ACM CCS 2025, ACM SenSys 2024, and ACM MobiSys 2024)

We are delighted to share that our PhD student, Mr SHEN Leming, has been honoured with the Distinguished Artifact Reviewer Award at the 2025 ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS 2025). This prestigious recognition highlights his contributions to ensuring the reproducibility, reliability, and scientific rigor of research artifacts in the computer security community.   Mr SHEN conducts research at the intersection of Large Language Models (LLMs), AIoT applications, and mobile and edge computing. He has published multiple first-authored and co-authored papers at top conferences such as ACM MobiCom, MobiSys, SenSys, and IEEE INFOCOM. His recent work explores LLM-driven automation for AIoT systems, with projects such as AutoIOT (MobiCom 2025), GPIoT (SenSys 2025), and FedConv (MobiSys 2024).   This is not Mr Shen’s first recognition for his outstanding service to the academic community. Previously, he received the Distinguished Artifact Evaluation Reviewer Awards from ACM MobiSys 2024 and ACM SenSys 2024, reflecting his continued dedication to advancing transparency and reproducibility across leading systems and networking conferences.   Mr Shen has served on Artifact Evaluation Committees for top conferences such as ACM MobiCom, MobiSys, SenSys, CCS, IEEE S&P and NDSS. His sustained commitment to both high-quality research and community service exemplifies the excellence and integrity valued in the scientific community.