Smart Airport Technovation Conference and Exhibition 2018 Explores Internet of Things for Enhanced Airport Experience and Operations

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today launched its annual Smart Airport Technovation Conference and Exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The opening ceremony was officiated by Jack So, Chairman of the AA, Nicholas Yang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of the AA, and Dr Raymond So, Under Secretary for Transport and Housing.

The fourth edition of the conference and exhibition, themed "Internet of Things" (IoT), has been expanded to two days to commemorate Hong Kong International Airport’s (HKIA) 20th anniversary. The event provides a platform for airport community members and industry experts to exchange ideas on the latest trends in innovative technology, and explore ways to utilise them to improve the passenger experience and optimise airport operations.

This year, more than 1,000 participants from the airport community, Government, and technology and innovation industry are joining the conference. Overseas delegates include representatives from London Heathrow Airport and Doha Hamad International Airport. The exhibition is also welcoming over 45 companies, the most ever for the event, to showcase their latest innovations. Technologies on display include the application of a digital twin to monitor real-time operations at HKIA and an unmanned smart warehouse empowered by robot vehicles.

Mr Yang said, “Embracing innovation and technology is critical to improving the passenger experience and operational efficiency for airports. Our airport has been consistently ranked top globally because the AA recognises the importance of the changes brought by digital transformation and proactively upgrades itself using cutting edge technologies through collaboration with local R&D institutions and technology start-ups. Technovation Conference not only echoes our work to make Hong Kong a smarter city, it also helps to build a more vibrant ecosystem for Hong Kong talents to shine and thrive further with our robust fundamentals in city management.”

Mr Lam said, “As one of the world’s major hub airports, HKIA has been using IoT technology to create a more pleasant traveller journey and streamline operations. On the operational side, we can analyse real-time data to help us to allocate resources more effectively and resolve problems before they arise. By coupling IoT with big data analysis, we will gain a deeper understanding of travellers’ needs, preferences and behaviours to offer them customised retail and catering selections.”

Other technologies and smart applications, including those showcased at previous Technovation Conference and Exhibition, have also been trialed or applied at HKIA in recent years. HKIA utilises robotics such as RFID Label Affixing Robot, to assist manual work, as well as adapting technologies like autonomous driverless tractors and building VR training center to facilitate operations.

During the conference the AA also announced the first Smart Airport Technovation Awards, held to stimulate innovation and recognise the airport community’s exemplary achievements in new technological explorations. Organisations entered a number of projects at stages ranging from proof-of-concept to full deployment. Winners were selected based on their level of innovation, impact on the passenger experience and airport operations, level of technology adopted and benefits to the Hong Kong aviation industry. Five organisations were presented with awards in the following categories: 

 

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