Prof. Wallace LAI Wai-lok, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, was interviewed on RTHK’s TV programme “Vibrant Hong Kong” to discuss the unique challenges of maintaining the city’s dense underground infrastructure.
Prof. Lai explained that, given Hong Kong’s hilly terrain and notably high water pressure, the government aims to reduce water leakage to below 10% by 2030 through innovative engineering. Central to this initiative are “Q-Leak”, a simulation centre for training and R&D, and the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory. While traditional detection relies on acoustic sensors, recent approaches leverage Ground Penetrating Radar and AI-powered algorithms to distinguish leak signatures from urban noise. Among the key innovations is the “Intelligent Pipescope”, a robotic endoscope designed to inspect pressurised water mains internally.
Prof. Lai noted that solving Hong Kong’s complex utility issues provides a blueprint for the Greater Bay Area and beyond. These geospatial technologies are also being adapted for archaeological purposes, helping uncover hidden heritage sites and bridging the gap between urban sustainability and historical preservation.
Online coverage:
RTHK - https://polyu.me/4cuhCzT (00:34 - 17:41)
| Research Units | Research Institute for Land and Space |
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