STEM Education in Cultivating Hong Kong Robotic Talents through Intelligent Robot Design and Build

 

介紹

香港科技大學鄭家純機器人研究院(HKUST CKSRI)作為一個跨學科樞紐,致力透過感測技術、人工智能及機器學習的創新,推動機械人與自主系統的發展,並促進科研、業界協作、創業精神及社會影響力。

此項目為學生提供平台,將知識與技能融合於智能機械人的設計與建造中,助其探索機械人科學與工程領域的興趣及潛能。同時,項目旨在於青少年群體中推動機械人工程科技創新的文化,並提升公眾對創新科技教育及香港整體發展的關注。此舉對培育機械人領域的新一代人才至關重要,藉此強化香港的競爭力,長遠推動創新科技教育的普及與發展。

Introduction

HKUST CKSRI is a multidisciplinary hub advancing robotics and autonomous systems through innovation in sensors, AI, and machine learning, fostering research, industry collaboration, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.

This project provides a platform for students to integrate their knowledge and skills into the design and construction of intelligent robots, enabling them to explore their interests and potential in robotics science and engineering. Additionally, the project promotes a culture of technological innovation in robotics engineering among young people, while also raising public awareness of innovation, technology education, and Hong Kong's overall development. This initiative is crucial for strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness by cultivating new talents in robotics, ultimately promoting innovation and technology education.

 

 

項目目標

  • 啟發STEM領域興趣
    透過激發中學生及大學生對機械人工程、分析思維與編程技術的好奇心與熱忱,推動年輕一代投身相關領域。
  • 傳授知識與實踐經驗
    為學生奠定機械人工程、人工智能及自動化技術的理論基礎,並提供實戰機會,提升其技能與自信。
  • 銜接高科技事業發展
    裝備學生投身高科技產業所需的專業知識與技能,為全球科技領域的發展與革新注入新動力。
  • 培育本地創科人才
    孕育香港新一代創新者及科技領袖,推動本港發展成國際創新與科技樞紐,鞏固競爭優勢。

Project Objectives

  • Inspire Interest in STEM Fields:
    Engage secondary school and university students by sparking their curiosity and passion for robotic engineering, analytical thinking, and coding.
  • Provide Knowledge and Practical Experience:
    Equip students with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in robotic engineering, artificial intelligence, and automation, fostering their skills and confidence in these fields.
  • Prepare Students for High-Tech Careers:
    Empower students with the essential tools and expertise they need to pursue future careers in high-tech industries, contributing to the growth and innovation of the global technology sector.
  • Cultivate Local Innovation Talent:
    Nurture a new generation of innovators and technology leaders in Hong Kong, driving the city
    ’s development as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.

 

 

我們的項目

本項目將舉辦六個認知工作坊,向學生介紹多種機械人技術及技能。此外,設有一日制的「水下機械人(ROV)」工作坊、一日實務培訓連兩日飛艇機械人設計競賽,提供實踐機會。實戰工作坊讓學生團隊親身操作ROV,探索此類技術在海洋科技中的潛在應用。

飛艇機械人競賽要求學生運用所學知識設計並建造飛船,完成如貨物運輸等指定任務。這些實務工作坊與競賽有助培養學生在設計及建造過程中的解難能力與技術掌握,同時提升團隊協作及溝通技巧。

Our Projects

In this project, six awareness workshops will introduce students to various robotic technologies and skills. Additionally, a one-day workshop on Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs), one-day practical workshop with 2-days blimps competition will provide practical experience. The hands-on workshops allow student teams to operate ROVs and explore their potential applications in marine technology.

The blimp competition enables students to apply their knowledge to design and build a blimp, completing specific tasks such as transporting goods. These practical workshops and competitions help cultivate students' interest and skills in problem-solving during the design and construction process, while also enhancing their collaboration and communication abilities.

 

 

開幕典禮:2025年6月28日

開幕典禮定於2025年6月28日在香港科技大學舉行。這項備受矚目的活動將為後續項目揭開序幕,營造鼓舞人心且充滿活力的氛圍。

此次典禮將起到多重作用,首先概述該計劃的主要亮點和活動,讓參與者清楚地了解接下來幾天將要發生的事情。也將提供比賽規則的詳細介紹,確保所有參與者充分了解、做好充分準備並對賽事的期望和指導方針充滿信心。這將是一次將對創新、技術和協作有著共同熱情的人們聚集在一起的獨特機會。

透過結合資訊簡介與人脈拓展機會,開幕典禮將為一系列成功且令人難忘的活動奠定基礎,同時激勵參與者迎接未來令人興奮的重要活動與挑戰。

Opening Ceremony : June 28, 2025

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 28, 2025, at the prestigious Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This highly anticipated event will mark the official kickoff of the program, setting an inspiring and exciting tone for the journey ahead.

The ceremony will serve multiple purposes, starting with an overview of the program’s key highlights and activities, giving participants a clear picture of what to expect in the coming days. A detailed introduction to the competition rules will also be provided, ensuring that all participants are thoroughly informed, well-prepared, and confident about the expectations and guidelines for the event. It will be a unique chance to bring together individuals who share a common passion for innovation, technology, and collaboration.

With its blend of informative sessions and networking opportunities, the Opening Ceremony will lay the foundation for a successful, engaging, and memorable series of events, while energizing participants for the exciting challenges and milestones that lie ahead.

 

 

六場機械人認知工作坊:2025年7月至8月

此系列工作坊旨在為學生建立紮實的機械人技術基礎,涵蓋硬件開發與軟件編程技能。六場機械人認知工作坊將分別聚焦不同專題,拓闊參加者對領域的認知,主要對象為本地中學生及大學生。涵蓋主題包括:

  • 傳感器應用
  • 機械設計
  • 水下機械人
  • 人形機械人
  • 無人導航技術
  • 醫療與智慧城市應用

Six Awareness Workshops: July 2025 – Aug 2025

The awareness workshops are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in robotics, covering both hardware and software development skills. A total of six workshops will be conducted, each focusing on a diverse range of topics to broaden participants' understanding of the field. The target audience includes local secondary school students and undergraduate students. The topics to be covered in these workshops include:

  • Sensors
  • Mechanical Design
  • Underwater Robotics
  • Embodied Intelligence
  • Navigation Technology
  • Applications of Robotics

 

 

ROV水下機械人實踐工作坊:2025年7月

本計劃致力培育機械人技術人才,涵蓋陸域、海域及空域三大領域。遙控水底機械車(ROV)作為海洋機械人技術的核心組成,正體現計劃中「海域」應用層面。此技術現廣泛應用於海洋勘探、離岸能源開發及環境監測等產業。我們期望學生透過學習機械人技術如何解決現實難題,從而啟發投身機械人及相關領域的職業志向。

ROV操作能讓學員深入理解水底機械人的運作原理與實務應用。因此,工作坊結束後將舉行一日實戰訓練,參加者可於香港科技大學泳池分組操作真實ROV系統。接觸ROV技術能啟發學生參與海洋科學與工程相關項目,而透過協作操控ROV完成指定任務的過程,更需隊員間高效溝通,此等經驗將有助培育其未來職涯所需的關鍵技能。

OPERATION (UNDERWATER ROBOTICS): July 2025

The entire program aims to cultivate talent in robotics across land, sea, and aerial domains. ROVs are a critical component of marine robotics, representing the "sea" aspect of the program. ROVs are widely used in industries like marine exploration, offshore energy, and environmental monitoring. We would like the students to learn how robotics solves real-world problems, inspiring them to pursue careers in robotics and related fields. ROV operation can provide opportunities in comprehending the working principles and application of underwater robotics. So after finishing the workshop, we will conduct a one-day practical workshop to provide participants with hands-on experience in operating a real-world ROV at HKUST. The venue for this workshop will be the HKUST swimming pool and students will participate in the activity in groups. Exposure to ROV technology can inspire students to engage in projects related to marine science and engineering. Moreover, operating ROVs to perform certain tasks requires teammates to communicate effectively with each other, fostering essential skills for their professional careers in future.

 

 

實踐工作坊:2025年11月

此一日制實踐工作坊為互動式實踐活動,旨在讓學生於協作創新的環境中應用理論知識。參加者將組成小組,設計、建造及編程能執行特定任務的自主飛艇。此沉浸式體驗讓學生整合過往工作坊所學技能,包括機械人技術、編程及解難思維,並轉化為具體項目成果。

工作坊主要目標是鼓勵參加者以團隊形式應對現實挑戰時,展現批判性與創意思維。各隊需為其自主飛艇解決多項技術與功能要求,例如維持飛行穩定性、實現導航定位及任務執行,同時克服突發障礙。此活動不僅鞏固技術知識,更能提升應變能力與創新思考技巧。

Practical Workshop: November 2025

The one-day practical workshop is an engaging, hands-on activity designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a collaborative and creative environment. During the workshop, participants will form small teams to design, build, and program autonomous blimps capable of performing specific tasks. This immersive experience allows students to combine the skills they’ve learned in previous sessions, including robotics, programming, and problem-solving, into a tangible and exciting project.

The key objective of the workshop is to encourage participants to think critically and creatively while working as a team to tackle real-world challenges. Teams will be tasked with addressing various technical and functional requirements for their autonomous blimps, such as achieving stability, navigation, and task performance, all while overcoming unforeseen obstacles. This activity not only reinforces their technical knowledge but also enhances their ability to adapt to new situations and think innovatively.

 

 

飛艇設計競賽:2025年11月

競賽設有兩項特色挑戰項目,旨在考驗參加者的創意、技術能力及解難技巧。

  1. 障礙賽道競速
    各隊伍需操控飛船穿越一系列障礙物,並於限定時間內完成賽道。成功關鍵在於精準操控與策略規劃,以高效方式克服障礙。
  2. 定點貨運任務
    參賽隊伍須操控飛船從指定位置提取物件,並準確運送至目標地點。此項目着重定位精準度、飛行穩定性及有效操控策略的執行能力。

每項比賽設兩個組別,按操控方式區分:

  • 遙控操作組
    參賽者使用遙控裝置手動操控飛艇
  • 自主編程組
    參賽者需為飛船編寫自動控制程式,依賴編程技術完成任務

Blimp Competition: November 2025

The Blimp Competition will feature two distinct challenges designed to test participants’ creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

  1. Blimp Race with Obstacles:
    In this challenge, teams must navigate their blimps through a series of obstacles and complete the course within a limited time. Success requires precise control and strategic planning to overcome the obstacles efficiently.
  2. Object Delivery Challenge:
    The second competition involves using the blimp to pick up objects from a designated point and deliver them accurately to a target destination. This task emphasizes precision, stability, and the ability to execute effective control strategies.

Each competition will have two levels: secondary and tertiary, distinguished by the control method:

  • Secondary Level: Participants will use remote controls to operate their blimps.
  • Tertiary Level: Participants will program their blimps for autonomous control, relying on their coding skills to complete the tasks.

 

 

嘉許典禮:2026年1月

此典禮旨在讓學生總結學習成果,嘉許參與者完成六場認知工作坊、ROV訓練、一日實務培訓及兩日競賽的投入精神,並啟發其持續參與機械人技術發展。大會邀得業界嘉賓及三名主講嘉賓,分享計劃成果、機械人技術前沿發展、本港及大灣區機械人產業趨勢與研發動向,同時預告將舉行的機械人技術活動、研討會及項目,為參加者提供行業洞見,鼓勵持續參與相關創新計劃。

典禮假香港科技大學舉行半日,設線上線下混合模式,預計總參與人數約450人(300人線上參與,150人親身出席)。此公開活動冀能引發社區對機械人技術的興趣,推動香港機械人產業發展,展示行業潛力並促進持續參與及創新氛圍。

Award Ceremony: Jan 2026

The award ceremony is designed for students to reflect on the lessons learned, celebrate the dedication to attending the six awareness sessions, ROV workshop, one-day of practical workshops and two-day competition event, and inspire their continued involvement in robotic technologies. Distinguished guests and three keynote speakers will share insights on the project s outcome, advancements in robotics technology, the ’ growth of the robotics industry, and research and development in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Additionally, they will highlight upcoming robotics events, seminars and projects, providing participants with valuable insights and encouraging them to stay engaged with future robotics initiatives. The ceremony will be a half-day event at the HKUST, featuring both online and offline participation. We expect around 450 attendees, with 300 joining virtually and 150 in person. This public event aims to ignite interest in robotics in the community and promote the robotics industry in Hong Kong, showcasing its potential and encouraging ongoing engagement and innovation.

 

 

Disclaimer

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material/event (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Innovation and Technology Commission or the General Support Programme Vetting Committee of the Innovation and Technology Fund.