News

PolyU and Tencent Cloud Join Forces for 'Tencent Cloud AI Voyage' to Drive Enterprise Globalization

We are thrilled to have successfully concluded the “Tencent Cloud AI Voyage” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). This event brought together visionary industry leaders and world-class researchers to explore the next frontier of AI and its industrial applications. Prof. Zheng Zijian, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, and Ms. Freda Xu, Vice President of Tencent Cloud CSIG Marketing, opened the event by highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a strategic springboard. Prof. Zheng aptly noted: “Hong Kong is a premium platform for Mainland enterprises to go global. Leveraging its strengths in artificial intelligence, applied research, and cross-regional networks, PolyU is uniquely positioned to support Chinese enterprises in their overseas expansion through scientific research, talent development, and industry collaboration.” Expert Insights on the AI Frontier:  •  Vertical AI: Prof. Zhang Chengqi challenged us to rethink the opportunities and hurdles of Large Language Models (LLMs) in specialized industries.  •  Autonomous Agents: Prof. Cheng Ran shared practical solutions for "self-evolving agents" navigating complex, real-world scenarios.  •  Business Innovation: Prof. Yao Dai explored how AI is redefining growth paradigms and marketing strategies in the digital age. The delegation also went to visit PolyU’s 3D Printing Lab and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory, witnessing firsthand how robotics and additive manufacturing are being commercialized in healthcare and industry. At PolyU, we remain committed to fostering stronger academia-industry collaboration, empowering Chinese enterprises to advance further and more steadily on the global stage through world-class research and innovation.    

PolyU Celebrates Impactful Research and Young Talent

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosts the Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year cum Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) Ceremony. This vibrant gathering brings together university leaders, researchers, students, and partners to celebrate impactful research and groundbreaking innovation. The Top 10 Stories initiative draws over 7,700 votes, with winning projects spanning AI, life sciences, sustainability, material science, and smart cities, showcasing PolyU’s contribution to Hong Kong’s high‑quality development. The YIRA honours 12 young awardees from the 2025 and 2026 cohorts, recognised for their originality and groundbreaking contributions to fields such as renewable energy, healthcare innovation, neuroscience, and medical technology. Prof. Jin‑Guang TENG, President of PolyU, delivers the welcome remarks, congratulating awardees for their rigorous spirit and their courage to break new ground. He highlights that these research achievements underscore a core pillar of PolyU’s identity: its unwavering commitment to mission-driven research that addresses pressing societal challenges. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), reiterates PolyU’s dedication to nurturing young scholars through a robust research ecosystem. He emphasises the university's efforts to foster a spirit of innovation and provide researchers with the support necessary to transform their aspirations into reality. In recognition of our sponsor and media partner of the Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories Award, Mr. Ian LEE, General Manager of Hotel ICON,  and Mr. Ivan TONG, Editor-in-Chief of Sing Tao Daily,  receive souvenirs from PolyU. The ceremony serves not only as a celebration of PolyU’s research excellence, innovation, and community spirit but also as a meaningful occasion to strengthen bonds across disciplines and inspire future collaborations.

PolyU research reveals snow droughts continue to threaten global food security and calls for climate-resilient agriculture practices to promote sustainable development

Global climate change is reshaping agricultural ecosystems. As warmer winters become more prevalent, snow droughts caused by insufficient snowfall are becoming more frequent. This leaves winter wheat, which relies on snow cover for insulation and water supply, vulnerable to low-temperature frost damage and water stress, posing a major threat to global food security. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has utilised innovative explainable machine learning to uncover the persistent and significant negative impact of snow droughts on winter wheat yields, highlighting that global food security is facing unprecedented challenges. This breakthrough study provides key scientific evidence for building climate-resilient agriculture, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development. Led by Prof. Shuo WANG, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, a core member of the Research Institute for Land and Space, and a member of the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities, the study was conducted in collaboration with scholars from the University of Hong Kong and the University of California, Irvine. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Food. Over the past 60 years, the frequency of snow droughts across the Northern Hemisphere’s winter wheat croplands has increased significantly. The proportion of croplands affected by snow drought surged from 46–54% in 1960–1970 to 70–99% in 2010–2020, reflecting the fact that snow droughts have evolved from a localised risk into a widespread phenomenon. The research team developed the XGB-SHAP model framework to accurately identify the direct impact of snow drought on crop yields. The framework combines Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to effectively exclude interference from other climate factors such as high temperature and rainfall, enabling a quantitative analysis of the direct impact of snow drought on winter wheat yields. This study also systematically analysed snow–crop–water interactions, providing a robust empirical basis for developing climate-resilient agricultural systems. Using the XGB-SHAP framework, the study found that approximately 45% of croplands in the Northern Hemisphere experienced significant adverse impacts from snow droughts, with Europe, Central Asia and the United States being the regions most severely affected. Meanwhile, in East Asia, the yield benefits of longer growing seasons due to warmer winters are gradually diminishing and the regional hydrothermal balance is becoming increasingly unstable. The study also identifies increased fertiliser use, intensified freezing stress and reduced precipitation as the three primary factors contributing to winter wheat’s increased sensitivity to snow drought. While enhanced soil nutrient levels can promote crop growth, they also make crops more dependent on the water supply and thermal insulation provided by snow cover. When snow drought occurs, these factors can amplify the risk of yield loss. Prof. Shuo Wang noted, “As global warming continues, climate risks are no longer limited to ‘acute stressors’ such as heatwaves, but also include gradually accumulating and far-reaching ‘chronic stressors’ such as snow droughts. As winter wheat is a major commodity in global agricultural trade, the effect of its yield variability can ripple through global trade networks, driving up food prices and potentially leading to regional food security crises.” Looking ahead, the research team recommends strengthening the climate resilience of agricultural systems by enhancing crop varieties, improving agricultural management and monitoring risks. Alongside intensifying efforts to develop crop varieties with both cold and drought tolerance, agricultural management models have to shift from traditional, input-intensive production to more precise and sustainable nutrient management systems. Furthermore, snow cover monitoring should be incorporated into agricultural risk assessment and early warning systems. Identifying snow drought risks at an early stage and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems will ensure that stable food production is maintained in the face of climate change, steering global agriculture towards a more sustainable future.

Five PolyU scholars awarded RGC Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to fostering international collaboration and advancing research excellence. Five PolyU scholars have been awarded the Research Grants Council (RGC) Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme, which supports their pursuit of immersive research at leading overseas institutions, enhancing insights into the latest global trends in scientific research and innovation. The awarded PolyU scholars bring wide-ranging expertise across Web3, digital finance, language sciences, physiotherapy, AI management, and microbiology. Their research efforts exemplify PolyU’s robust research capabilities and unwavering commitment to driving innovation with global impact. Each of them will be supported with a HK$368,000 grant for their overseas research trip. The five PolyU awardees are:

PolyU Professor Chen Qingyan elected Fellow of the Royal Society

Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has just been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science. Election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society is one of the highest scientific honours in the world. Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, and its fellowship includes some of the most renowned scientists and thinkers in modern history. A globally recognised thought leader, Prof. Chen is renowned for his pioneering work in indoor air quality (IAQ), aircraft cabin environments, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and is among the very few scholars from the institution to receive this distinguished honour. His significant contributions have earned him recognition among the world’s leading scientists in the “Building and Construction” field, according to Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists list. His models for simulating indoor environments have been instrumental in shaping public policy and driving innovation in ventilation systems. He has also developed design guidelines and strategies that have become industry benchmarks, prioritising occupant well-being and fostering healthier, more energy-efficient environments. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President said, “We are proud of Prof. Chen’s contributions to the scientific community. His work has played an important role in advancing human well-being and safety. His research has also helped inform safety standards for public transportation, including efforts to reduce infectious disease transmission on airplanes and cruise ships.” Prof. Chen expressed his gratitude for the honour, saying, “I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, which is truly one of the highest accolades a scientist can achieve. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to my research team and collaborators at PolyU, as well as my family, for their unwavering support over the years.” Throughout his career, Prof. Chen has received numerous awards and recognitions for his groundbreaking works, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology; the International Building Performance Simulation Association, the Scandinavian Federation of Heating, Ventilation and Sanitary Engineering Associations (SCANVAC); the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Qiangnao and PolyU launch “People-Oriented Technology Programme” to deploy cutting-edge intelligent bionic limbs for Hong Kong amputees

The kick-off ceremony of the “People-Oriented Technology Programme by Qiangnao Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University” (the Programme) was successfully held today at the Central Government Offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Jointly organised by Qiangnao Technology (Qiangnao) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China serving as the advisory body, the initiative marks a proactive response to the “Support People-Oriented Scientific Research” policy outlined in the 2025 Policy Address. The Programme introduces Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints for local configuration and use. Funded and supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), the trial programme allows eligible amputees in Hong Kong to apply for configuration and use of these high-tech prostheses free of charge, facilitating the practical transformation of cutting-edge medical technology to tangible benefits for those in need. The kick-off ceremony was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Kelvin CHOI, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; and Mr Ivan LEE, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, alongside Mr Bicheng HAN, Founder and CEO of Qiangnao; Ms Sienna XU, Representative of Qiangnao; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; and Prof. Yongping ZHENG, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU. The event was also attended by participants from the first phase of trial who have already been fitted with the intelligent prostheses, medical rehabilitation experts and representatives from social welfare organisations. The event aims to raise awareness of the Programme within Hong Kong's disability community so that more individuals in need can benefit. Applications are now officially open to eligible individuals. Prof. Sun Dong stated, “Today’s I&T initiatives respond to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which calls for the full implementation of the ‘AI+’ action plan to empower public well-being through AI. Hong Kong possesses strong research capabilities, with five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 and two medical schools in the global top 40. It has a solid foundation in life and health technology, AI, and robotics, and is well positioned to put into practice the principle of technology for the benefit of people. The launch of the programme also embodies the original intent of using technology for good and being people-oriented, bringing cutting-edge technologies into real-world applications, to the lives of citizens in need.” Mr Bicheng Han stated, “Over the next two years, with the support of the HKSAR Government, Qiangnao will work with PolyU and partners from all sectors of society to diligently implement the project and provide service support, so that more eligible amputees in Hong Kong can receive high-tech prostheses free of charge. We will also continue to enhance product experience and rehabilitation support services.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “Scientific research must ultimately benefit society. The vision for developing people-oriented technology, as outlined in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, aligns perfectly with PolyU’s motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. This Programme holds immense significance: Qiangnao brings world-leading core technologies in intelligent bionic prostheses, while PolyU provides local implementation, promotion, and scientific research support. The team will evaluate the effectiveness of the technology based on clinical application scenarios, collect user feedback for timely adjustments and optimisations, and continuously improve the overall user experience. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Fund, this initiative ensures that cutting-edge technology truly serves public livelihood and benefits society.” The initial phase of the Programme aims to fit 60 Hong Kong amputees with intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints, managed by the PolyU team. The intelligent bionic hands help upper-limb amputees restore grip strength and fine-motor capabilities. The intelligent bionic knee joints are equipped with multi-sensor and a smart hydraulic system, and can detect walking intentions in real time. They support climbing stairs and switching between fast and slow walking speeds, and feature emergency-stop and fall-prevention protections. It is anticipated that users will experience a significant boost in self-care abilities and confidence in returning to the workplace after fitting. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had been successfully fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories. The intelligent bionic hand contains sensors that detect myoelectric and neural signals from upper-limb muscles without any internal implantation, thereby controlling the hand’s movements. After training, wearers can perform delicate daily tasks such as writing and playing musical instruments. Users of intelligent bionic knee joints can walk on flat ground, climb stairs and participate in sports activities. Building upon existing roadmap, Qiangnao and PolyU will engage in deep cooperation, combining PolyU’s academic excellence, talent, and research and development capabilities with Qiangnao’s expertise in product commercialsation and advanced technology to co-establish the “Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interfaces”. The centre plans to explore areas such as custom prosthetics, rehabilitation training systems, and interdisciplinary interaction design. This will drive the integration of scientific research and clinical application, bringing solutions tailored to the needs of the local disability community. Against the backdrop of the HKSAR Government’s sustained investment in innovation and technology, emerging fields like Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are gradually being included in urban development policy. As cross-disciplinary collaboration and technical evolution accelerate, BCI is moving toward broader application scenarios. While helping people transcend physical and mental boundaries, it is also becoming a vital force in driving social inclusion and technological transformation. For over a decade, Qiangnao has focused on the research and development and implementation of non-invasive BCI core technologies. From intelligent bionic hands and knee joints to autism intervention and sleep assistance products, the company adheres to the philosophy of “Tech for Good”, ensuring innovation serves society. Looking ahead, Mr Bicheng Han expressed his hopes for deeper future collaboration with Hong Kong in medical rehabilitation and other sectors, leveraging technology to drive urban development and allowing frontier technology to truly serve the public. PolyU has spent years cultivating expertise in medical and rehabilitation technology, housing Hong Kong’s only internationally recognised education and training pathway for prosthetics and orthotics. Utilising its unique advantages in “medicine-engineering integration” and clinical translation, PolyU is helping top-tier intelligent prosthetic technologies successfully land, expand, and continuously optimise in Hong Kong. The PolyU team will leverage real-world clinical settings to validate technical efficacy and collect user feedback for adjustments, fully enhancing and optimising the application experience for users. Ms Sienna Xu introduced Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had successfully been fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories.

PolyU launches AI-enhanced gamified auditory-cognitive training system in local communities, providing innovative homecare solutions for underprivileged older adults with hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss is very prevalent in older adults and is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Funded by the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited, the School of Nursing (SN) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 (the System) that addresses hearing loss and dementia risk with an integrated innovative solution. In partnership with the Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF), the System has been incorporated into a three-year, territory-wide service under CCAF’s CareAge Hearing Programme and is expected to benefit around 2,400 underprivileged older adults in Hong Kong. A launch ceremony for the System was held today at the PolyU campus. It was officiated by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS); Prof. Janelle YORKE, Head of SN; Ms Yuki NG, Philanthropy Manager of the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited; Dr CHAN Wah-fat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCAF; and Mr LEUNG Chun-hong, Chief Executive of CCAF. Project leader Prof. Ivy Yan ZHAO, Assistant Professor of SN and a member of the PolyU Research Institute for Smart Ageing, and other members of her research team also attended the event to celebrate the official launch of the System in local communities. Prof. David Shum said that the System exemplified PolyU and FHSS’s commitment to improving healthy ageing through interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Prof. Janelle Yorke also expressed her delight at the successful transfer of SN’s research outcomes to community application. She noted that the official launch of the System marked a shift towards smart management of hearing and cognitive health for older adults living at home, bringing new momentum to the enhancement of homecare services for the elderly. Dr Chan Wah-fat remarked that the collaboration between PolyU and CCAF had bridged a service gap in community healthcare. Mr Leung Chun-hong then introduced the CareAge Hearing Programme, which offers comprehensive hearing screening, specialist consultations, personalised care plans and hearing aids. It will also provide service recipients with free access to the System, aiming to further improve hearing care and address financial, informational and attitudinal barriers to care services facing older adults. Breaking away from the traditional clinical approach of treating the ear and brain separately, the System focuses on the synergy between ear and brain and provides older adults with hearing loss with 12-week auditory-cognitive dual-task training. Incorporating everyday scenarios, the training combines speech-in-noise listening, rapid speech comprehension and competing-speaker tasks with cognitive games which target attention, memory, executive function and visuospatial skills. These tasks are designed to strengthen ear-brain connection, thereby simultaneously enhancing older adults’ cognitive and daily listening abilities. The 2.0 version of the System has been upgraded with AI technologies, enabling personalised listening materials based on users’ preferences, hearing abilities and training progress. The AI-enhanced System is also equipped with intelligent functions such as speech recognition, automated spoken-response assessment, real-time feedback and interactive progress assessment, improving user engagement and training effectiveness. At the ceremony, Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System’s functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Data have shown that older adults who trained with the System demonstrated significant improvements in concentration, memory and mental clarity, as well as reduced hearing-related handicap. An elderly user shared that the training had not only deepened her understanding of her own hearing loss but also improved her quality of daily life. In particular, in noisy environments such as near roads, she is now better able to clearly perceive surrounding sounds and subtle changes, greatly enhancing her safety and alertness. Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System’s functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Under the CareAge Hearing Programme, the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 will be available free of charge for a three-year period to home-dwelling elderly persons aged 60 or above who meet financial eligibility criteria. The SN team will set up a support counter at CCAF’s CareAge Health Centre to provide older adults with installation assistance, user training, in-person technical support and a telephone hotline.

PolyU scholar elected as a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to supporting distinguished scholars in achieving breakthroughs that advances the frontiers of science and technology. Prof. WONG Wai-yeung Raymond, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Clarea Au Professor in Energy and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology, has been elected as a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society (FCCS). Prof. WONG is the only scholar from a Hong Kong institution among the 50 newly elected fellows for 2025. The FCCS, established by the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) in 2019, represents the highest and most prestigious membership level of CCS. It aims to inspire members to achieve new scientific and technological milestone while promoting the development of China’s chemical industry. This honour recognises Prof. WONG’s systematic and creative achievements in chemistry and related fields, as well as his outstanding contributions to the discipline’s advancement. Prof. WONG’s research focuses on advancing technologies for the conversion between light and electricity to facilitate the efficient use of energy, as well as developing new molecular materials for fabricating organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). With an exceptional track record in chemistry-related research, Prof. WONG has been named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics for 7 consecutive years and ranked as the World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists by Stanford University since 2019. He has published over 900 articles in high-impact international journals, with an h-index of 100. His leadership also extends to enhancing Hong Kong’s research infrastructure. He spearheaded the establishment of Hong Kong's first Fourier‑transform Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (FT‑EPR) spectrometer facility.

PolyU scholar elected Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) continue to gain recognition on the international research stage. Prof. Pai ZHENG, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and the Society. Founded in 1880, ASME is a not‑for‑profit professional organisation that fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of engineers in society. The ASME Fellow is a distinction awarded to ASME members for their exceptional engineering achievements. Prof. Zheng has long been dedicated to advancing mutual cognitive human-robot collaborative manufacturing systems  (MC-HRCMS). New knowledge and technologies have been created, including 1) Development of a multimodal-based natural human-robot interaction mechanism through the vision-language-tactile model; 2) Introduction of an efficient human-to-robot learning and policy generation strategy by advanced MR and DT technologies; and 3) A foundation model-based NoCode solution package for onsite robotic operations. These innovative features can collectively boost operational efficiency, enhance worker experience, and democratize advanced manufacturing capabilities, making the MC-HRCMS ideal for futuristic human-centric smart manufacturing. Moreover, his RAIDS team has co-founded the CobotAI Limited, which recently introduced a novel multimodal human-robot interaction and data acquisition solution, TeleX, for industrial embodied intelligence and robot learning. TeleX is a smart, open platform that helps robots learn directly from human actions. It acts like a “super recorder” for human–robot interaction, capturing how people move, see, and feel objects during complex tasks. It combines precise motion tracking, visual sensing, and touch‑ sensitive “robot hands” to synchronously collect multimodal human operation data in complex manipulation scenarios. TeleX has already been tested in various industrial scenarios on human–robot teamwork, imitation learning, teleoperation, and precision assembly. Industry partners such as COMAC, AVIC and COSMO use it to collect large amounts of real human operation data, helping robots learn how to effectively learn from human demonstrations and self-execute physical skills accurately. Prof. Zheng has published over 150 top-tier journal publications, received multiple best paper awards, secured 9 inventive patents, and earned accolades, including the NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund, the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, Baidu’s Top 50 AI+X Chinese Scholars, and the HKIE Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025.

AI-empowered wearable rehabilitation device: PolyU develops closed-loop sensory wristband to enable personalised rehabilitation for stroke patients

Stroke ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in Hong Kong. Between 2001 and 2021 there was a distinct trend towards younger onset ages of stroke, which has exerted a profound impact on the public health system and the families of patients. To address the challenges of disability and slow rehabilitation progress associated with hemiparesis, a common sequela of stroke, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has applied intelligent closed-loop mobile technology to develop a new-generation wearable rehabilitation device, the “Remind-to-Move” (RTM) sensory wristband. Complemented by a mobile application, the device delivers instant feedback to users and automatically adjusts treatment regimens, thereby enabling more personalised home-based rehabilitation training. Led by Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of the Research Centre for Assistive Technology at PolyU, the RTM sensory wristband is specifically designed for patients with hemiparesis due to neurological conditions such as stroke or cerebral palsy. By emitting vibration signals, it reminds patients to perform exercises as instructed by their therapists. The latest version is enhanced with a “closed-loop system” that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience and kinematic technologies. By real-time comparison of the movement patterns of the hemiparetic limb with its non-affected counterpart, the system automatically adjusts training parameters such as frequency and intensity, thereby improving the patient’s mobility more effectively. Prof. Fong said, “When facing with limb dysfunction, stroke patients tend to unconsciously rely on their non-affected limbs to complete daily activities, gradually reducing the use of their hemiparetic side. This leads to ‘learned non-use’ of the affected limb and hinders its recovery. The RTM sensory wristband developed by PolyU directly addresses this critical issue. By sensing and analysing the user’s movement patterns, it emits timely signals to guide patients in actively using their hemiparetic limbs for home-based rehabilitation training. In the long run, it can effectively improve patients’ sensory awareness and mobility of the affected limb, facilitating their faster return to normal daily life.” Prof. Fong has led his team in the development of “RTM therapy” using wearable rehabilitation devices since 2009. The RTM wristband is the world’s first rehabilitation intervention specifically designed to promote use of the hemiparetic arm in adult stroke patients and children with cerebral palsy. Earlier iterations adopted an “open-loop system” with fixed, preset therapy and were proven to effectively reduce “learned non-use” of the hemiparetic upper limb. To achieve more personalised rehabilitation outcomes, the team has upgraded the new-generation wristband to a “closed-loop system”, which sends cues based on the user’s actual arm movements and provides real-time feedback. Research findings showed that both the open-loop and closed-loop RTM systems improved hand function and movement frequency. Notably, the close-loop system exhibited more prominent advantages—compared to participants in the open-loop group, those using the closed-loop system demonstrated higher movement frequency and more marked improvements in hand function. “By using AI-enabled technology to provide real-time feedback, the closed-loop system can tailor exercise training to personal needs,” Prof. Fong explained. “The data collected also help us analyse the interaction between exercise programmes and external assistive devices, which is conducive to designing more targeted treatment protocols to promote neuroplasticity. Our research provides a novel approach for the treatment of hemiparetic upper limb dysfunction and holds great significance for popularising tele- and home-based rehabilitation.” Looking ahead, the team aims to integrate the closed-loop RTM mechanism into a broader range of more wearable rehabilitation devices to further enhance therapeutic efficacy. The related study has been published in the journal Wearable Technologies. Prof. Fong’s research is supported by the Research Impact Fund from the Research Grants Council. Both the open-loop and closed-loop RTM devices have been patented in the United States and the Chinese Mainland, and the previous generation of the open-loop RTM devices has been adopted for over 10 years by 16 public hospitals in Hong Kong and international institutions such as the Kessler Rehabilitation Center in the United States, while its use has been extended to Singapore and the Chinese Mainland. The research team is currently recruiting stroke patients to participate in a clinical study of the new version of the RTM wristband. Participants will wear the wristband and engage in a four-week telerehabilitation programme under the guidance of a professional occupational therapist. The study aims to gain deeper insight into upper-limb activity patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.