InnoCarnival to be staged

The Innovation & Technology Commission will hold InnoCarnival 2022 from October 22 to 30 at the Science Park to showcase exhibits of local innovation and technology (I&T) achievements, along with a series of webinars and online workshops.

Themed Innovation & Technology Empower our Dreams, the event is one of the celebration activities for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

It aims to show the public the importance of I&T in people's daily lives and inspire the younger generation to pursue knowledge and cultivate an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Thirty-seven booths featuring a range of I&T products and interactive games will be set up at the Science Park, while around 145 online workshops and about 40 webinars will also be held.

A press preview was staged today to exhibit some of the research and development (R&D) projects. One of them is the E-transporter developed by the Automotive Platforms & Application Systems R&D Centre, which is an intelligent autonomous electric transporter with high levels of independence and self-determination that can be used indoors and outdoors.

Another exhibit invented by students of Carmel Pak U Secondary School is a set of edible disposables made of fruit skins. The grilled kombucha straws and cups are safe for consumption and biodegradable.

During the event, the commission will also hold the "City I&T Grand Challenge: The Showcase" where prototypes of the winning solutions from the competition will be revealed to the public for the first time.

After the launch of the competition in December 2020, a total of 25 winners in the university or tertiary institute as well as open groups received subsidies from the commission and have transformed their I&T solutions into prototypes for trials at over 50 organisations and social communities since July this year.

The prototypes will be displayed at the showcase through real-life scenarios, including an elderly home and a restaurant.

Furthermore, as the country recruits payload specialists in the Hong Kong SAR for the first time, space-themed exhibitions will be organised during the event.

Commissioner for Innovation & Technology Rebecca Pun said the Government has been giving tremendous support in developing I&T and promoting startups, strengthening the collaboration among the industry, academia and research institutes, as well as promoting an I&T culture.

It hopes to enhance public awareness and understanding of the importance of I&T in people's daily lives and the future development of Hong Kong, she added.

All of the activities, with some requiring preregistration, are free of charge. Details can be found here.