When Xiang Muze, a Year Four student at PolyU’s Department of Computing, learned that his grandmother had suffered an accident while home alone, he was struck with a lingering regret and a burning question: “Many elderly people aren’t uncared for; it’s that no one knows at critical moments. How can technology give seniors precious extra time and save families from regret?” This personal experience ignited his determination to find a solution for China’s rapidly ageing population—a journey that has since earned him national recognition.

Together with his teammates, Muze developed the “Cloud Nursing Wise Home: BioRadar-based Smart Elderly Eco Service Platform”, which recently won First Prize at the 19th “Challenge Cup” National College Students’ Extracurricular Academic Science and Technology Contest. Their innovation addresses the urgent need for safe, reliable, and dignified elderly care, especially for those living alone or with chronic conditions.

A simulation of the “Cloud Nursing Wise Home: BioRadar-based Smart Elderly Eco Service Platform”.

A non-invasive, privacy-focused monitoring system

Unlike traditional wearable devices or intrusive camera-based systems, “Cloud Nursing Wise Home” leverages millimetre-wave BioRadar, AI-driven behaviour recognition, and multimodal sensor fusion. This non-invasive approach allows seniors to maintain their daily routines without the discomfort of wearing devices or the anxiety of being watched. The system discreetly monitors for risks such as falls, prolonged inactivity, or nighttime wandering, and automatically alerts family members or caregivers when intervention is needed. The platform features an “8+1” core application model, covering health management, safety monitoring, emergency calls, emotional support, rehabilitation care, daily assistance, mobility aid, entertainment activities, and an innovative scenario for integrating new technologies.

Piloted in community centres and home care settings in Wuhan, Muze’s hometown, the system has already made a tangible difference. He recalls a case where a woman’s mother, who resisted wearables and cameras, benefited from the contactless monitoring system. Her daughter could track her activity via a mobile app, and when the system detected an abnormal nighttime absence from bed, the family could intervene in time. “This isn’t cold technology,” the daughter told him. “It’s like someone quietly watching over her.”

Support and inspiration from PolyU’s thriving innovation ecosystem

Muze credits PolyU’s rigorous training in AI, embedded systems, and data analysis for equipping him with the skills to turn his vision into reality. Achievements such as winning First Prize in the Cloud Track of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024, Second Prize in the Information Technology category of the 10th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and an exchange at Cambridge University further strengthened his technical foundation. Support from PolyU’s Shenzhen Research Institute, Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, and Industrial Centre provided essential resources and mentorship, while the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China’s Innovation Scholarship offered both financial backing and encouragement.

Xiang Muze showcased his innovation at the 19th “Challenge Cup” National College Students’ Extracurricular Academic Science and Technology Contest, and eventually won First Prize.

For Muze, this project is not the result of solitary effort, but the product of PolyU’s comprehensive engineering education and vibrant innovation ecosystem. He is especially delighted that the PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute will help bridge talent, innovation, and industry between Hong Kong and his hometown, enabling deeper collaboration and impact. With this strong foundation, Muze looks forward to making an even greater difference in elderly care through continued innovation and partnership.