The RTHK television programme Hong Kong Stories: Starting with AI aired its latest episode, "AI‑Powered Sports Performance," tonight (31 August) at 9:30 pm on RTHK TV 31. The episode introduced the research work of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and several PolyU research projects.
This episode focused on how artificial intelligence has become a powerful backbone for athletes. Three RISports members appeared on the show to share their research findings:
Prof. Chih‑yung Wen – Chair Professor at the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, PolyU, and Associate Director of RISports. Prof. Wen introduced the interdisciplinary research work of the Institute.
Dr Billy So – Clinical Associate at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU, and a registered physiotherapist. In the programme, Dr So, together with a PolyU swimmer, used AI image analysis to repeatedly refine every swimming movement, and employed AI‑assisted aquatic therapy. The segment demonstrated how technology can overcome the difficulty of providing precise feedback to swimmers during training.
Dr Jason Cheung – Principal Research Fellow at RISports and a member of its Management Committee. Dr Cheung, who is also a sneaker enthusiast and founder of a sports technology company, used AI to analyse running gaits, helping both athletes and the general public address sports‑related injury issues. His goal is to create "a pair of shoes that truly understand the wearer."
Since its establishment in 2022, RISports has been dedicated to bringing together experts from PolyU and various disciplines worldwide to provide advanced scientific and engineering solutions for sports. This episode showcased how Institute members are empowering sports science with AI – transforming technology from mere cold data into a powerful ally behind every athlete.
Hong Kong Stories: Starting with AI airs every Monday at 9:30 pm on RTHK TV 31. Interested viewers can watch the programme replay at:
https://www.rthk.hk/tv/dtt31/programme/hkstories68
