Tsang Ka Wing, a PhD student at the PolyU School of Design, is among ten awardees of the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025/26, receiving HKD80,000 in support of his STEM research project, Designing for Touch: Sensory Affordances of Companion Robot Dog Skin in Human–Robot Interaction.
Established by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, the For Our Future Scholarship supports Hong Kong youth in their study, career and entrepreneurship development while fostering opportunities within the Greater Bay Area. Now in its sixth edition, the scholarship attracted over 280 applications from 14 higher education institutions across Hong Kong.
Ka Wing’s research situates itself within the field of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on tactile interaction design. His interdisciplinary study bridges design research, robotics, psychology, and materials science, exploring how the tactile qualities of robot “skin” can enable more comforting and meaningful human-robot interactions. Focusing on companion robot dogs, the project examines how different material properties influence users’ touch preferences, engagement, and overall interaction experience. The research ultimately aims to inform the design of robotic companions to support care and wellbeing applications.
"Receiving this scholarship is incredibly encouraging, especially as the first awardee from a design background," Ka Wing said. "It highlights the vital role of design within STEM, bridging technology and human needs to create solutions that resonate. I am also deeply grateful for my supervisor’s unwavering support and the creative freedom to pursue this interdisciplinary research."
Tsang Ka Wing is currently pursuing his PhD at PolyU Design under the supervision of Prof. Tina Luximon, Associate Dean (Research) and Leader of the Asian Ergonomics Design Lab (AEDLAB).
Established by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, the For Our Future Scholarship supports Hong Kong youth in their study, career and entrepreneurship development while fostering opportunities within the Greater Bay Area. Now in its sixth edition, the scholarship attracted over 280 applications from 14 higher education institutions across Hong Kong.
Ka Wing’s research situates itself within the field of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on tactile interaction design. His interdisciplinary study bridges design research, robotics, psychology, and materials science, exploring how the tactile qualities of robot “skin” can enable more comforting and meaningful human-robot interactions. Focusing on companion robot dogs, the project examines how different material properties influence users’ touch preferences, engagement, and overall interaction experience. The research ultimately aims to inform the design of robotic companions to support care and wellbeing applications.
"Receiving this scholarship is incredibly encouraging, especially as the first awardee from a design background," Ka Wing said. "It highlights the vital role of design within STEM, bridging technology and human needs to create solutions that resonate. I am also deeply grateful for my supervisor’s unwavering support and the creative freedom to pursue this interdisciplinary research."
Tsang Ka Wing is currently pursuing his PhD at PolyU Design under the supervision of Prof. Tina Luximon, Associate Dean (Research) and Leader of the Asian Ergonomics Design Lab (AEDLAB).
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