The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Tianlu Flying-auto (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Tianlu) officially entered into a strategic Research-Academic-Industry Collaboration Agreement. This partnership was marked by the Signing and Unveiling Ceremony of the "Joint Laboratory on Low-Altitude Economy Technology and Demonstration" on 8 March 2026. The joint laboratory is designed to serve as a bridge between cutting-edge aeronautical research and the rapidly evolving global aviation market. By integrating PolyU’s academic rigor with Tianlu’s industrial expertise, the collaboration aims to position Hong Kong at the forefront of the "The 15th Five-Year Plan’s" strategic focus on new energy, advanced materials, aerospace, and the low-altitude economy.
The collaboration represents a significant milestone for PolyU in strengthening its global research impact through the Research Centre for Low-Altitude Economy (RCLAE). During the ceremony, which included a detailed tour of the Aviation Engineering Laboratory, university leaders including Deputy President and Provost Professor Wing-tak Wong and Vice President (Research and Innovation) Professor Christopher Chao emphasized the importance of high-level witness from both Hong Kong and Nanjing authorities. The presence of Nanjing Vice Mayor Mr Xu Feng and Tianlu’s leadership underscored the regional significance of this alliance, which seeks to transform theoretical breakthroughs into patented technologies and industry-leading standards.
A core objective of this partnership is the realization of research applications that address complex urban challenges. The Joint Laboratory will focus on the practical deployment of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircrafts, specifically targeting high-rise firefighting systems and smart urban logistics. By participating in Hong Kong’s "Regulatory Sandbox," the research team will move beyond indoor test to conduct real-world flight trials across Hong Kong’s unique terrain, including outlying islands and high-density urban corridors. This "laboratory-to-sky" approach ensures that PolyU’s research in autonomous flight, swarm control, and high-energy density battery systems achieves direct societal and economic utility.
Beyond technical development, the agreement establishes a robust framework for the commercialization of intellectual property and the cultivation of high-caliber talent. Over the next three years, the partnership will foster a new generation of engineers and researchers while launching a dedicated Innovation Fund to support student-led startups. By co-authoring international technical standards and securing airworthiness certifications, PolyU and Tianlu are not only advancing the boundaries of aerospace engineering but are also creating a scalable "Hong Kong Model" for low-altitude transport. This synergy ensures that PolyU’s scholarly output translates into tangible industrial leadership, driving the sustainable growth of the regional and international aviation sectors.
More about Tianlu Flying-auto Ltd:
Tianlu Flying-auto (Hong Kong) Ltd is a pioneer in the research, development, production, and operation of flying cars and intelligent eVTOL aircraft. The company is dedicated to redefining urban three-dimensional transportation through its Ground-air Integration Mobility solutions.
Adopting a modular split‑type design and leveraging mature electric vehicle supply chains, Tianlu delivers cost‑effective, scalable aerial mobility. Its product roadmap targets two key markets: cultural tourism & entertainment and urban mobility, with a strong focus on demonstration operations and commercial deployment.
| Research Units | Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy | Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering |
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