Ms Sisi TANG, a PhD candidate from the School of Fashion and Textiles at PolyU, clinched a Gold Medal at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII) in 2025 for her smart health-monitoring vest project.

Developed by Ms TANG, the founder of PolyU startup Leopitorca Global Limited, BodyMate is an innovative functional vest designed for long-term, all-day use by older adults that integrates washable, textile-based sensors into comfortable daily wear. Unlike traditional wearables that require manual operation or frequent charging, it passively monitors vital signs such as heart rate, respiration, body temperature, posture and fall risk—all without disrupting daily routines.

The system supports real-time data transmission to caregivers or healthcare platforms. Ideal for ageing-in-place, chronic disease management and remote care, BodyMate addresses the growing demand for non-intrusive, elder-friendly health solutions. It combines smart textiles, AI algorithms and adaptive design to offer a seamless, scalable and human-centred approach to elderly care. The vest has been developed with support from leading Hong Kong innovation programmes and is ready for pilot deployment in smart communities and eldercare settings.

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. The event in 2025 attracted about
140 projects from around Asia. Project details are available here: <https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/docdrive/Press/20251211_AEII_Appendix_Eng.pdf>.