ASTRI and Pok Oi Sign Memorandum of Understanding To Explore Innovative Technologies Development for the Lam Tei Project Aims to Create Hong Kong’s Largest Smart Care Home

The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital (Pok Oi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on exploring the innovative technologies development for the Pok Oi Hospital Tuen Mun Lam Tei Nursing and Residential Care Home for the Elderly Project (Lam Tei Project). The facility, scheduled for completion in 2027, is envisioned to become Hong Kong’s largest “smart care home”, delivering enhanced efficiency and quality in elderly care services.

The MoU Signing Ceremony was officiated by Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government and Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government.

“One of the key strategies outlined in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint is to accelerate the transformation of research and development outcomes into practical applications, thereby promoting the smart city development and enhancing quality of life,” said Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government.

“The collaboration between ASTRI and Pok Oi on the Lam Tei Project perfectly embodies this vision, marking the beginning of a new era of ‘smart elderly care’ in Hong Kong by leveraging innovation and technology (I&T) to enhance comprehensive elderly home services,” Mr Lee added. “We look forward to seeing more innovative technologies integrated into daily life, benefiting industries and society as a whole.”

Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Pok Oi Hospital for its unwavering support of Government’s elderly care policy over the years. Striving for excellence, Pok Oi Hospital has been sparing no effort in enhancing the service standards of residential care homes for the elderly. The Lam Tei Project not only symbolises an expansion in elderly care facilities, but also scales new heights in the application of I&T to enhance the quality of care. I hope the Project will inspire the sector to develop service model better tailored to the needs of the elderly, thereby benefitting more elders in the community.”

Tailored-made advanced elderly care solutions

The MoU was signed by Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI and Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors, witnessed by officiating guests, Mr Ivan Lee and Mr Edward To, alongside Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI and Mr Herman Lee, Permanent Advisor of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors.

The partnership will encompass research into various I&T applications for the Lam Tei Project, including generative artificial intelligence, robotics technology and the Internet of Things, aim at developing pioneering elderly care services to enhance residents’ experience. Building energy management technology will also be considered to improve energy efficiency.

Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, emphasised the institute’s commitment to enhance quality of life through technologies. “With our robust capabilities and extensive experience in innovative research and development, we have secured over 1,100 patents and completed more than 1,500 technology transfer to industry,” he said.

“By integrating advanced technologies such as AI-driven healthcare solutions and centralised smart sensing platforms, we will provide bespoke elderly care solutions to fully support Pok Oi Hospital in establishing a high-performing, sustainable, and socially responsible smart residential care home for the elderly, whilst driving service innovation and improving the well-being of senior citizens,” he added.

Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors noted the Project’s significance as Hong Kong’s largest residential care home for the elderly operated by a single organisation. “With over 1,400 residential places, the Lam Tei Project represents a new venture requiring holistic planning on facilities management, resource allocation and staffing arrangements to uphold the reputation of Pok Oi’s professional and high-quality service.”

“We are pleased to collaborate with ASTRI to explore intelligent technology solutions that helps us to formulate future operational strategies at an early stage. The integration of I&T will also enhance operational efficiency whilst enabling frontline staff to focus more on our elderly residents, putting Pok Oi’s people-oriented mission into practice.” Ms Huang added.

Both parties expect to leverage Lam Tei as their flagship project, continuously expanding the “future elderly care” service model to become an industry benchmark and elevate Hong Kong’s elderly care services through I&T.

(Back row, left to right) Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare; and Mr Herman Lee, Permanent Adviser to the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors, witnessing the MoU signing by Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI (front row, left) and Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors (front row, right). The partnership launches research into innovation and technology applications for Pok Oi’s Lam Tei Project, aims at establishing Hong Kong’s largest “smart residential care home for the elderly”

Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, addressed the signing ceremony, highlighting ASTRI’s robust R&D capabilities and commitment to supporting Pok Oi Hospital through advanced AI-driven healthcare solutions and smart sensing technology to create a high-performing, sustainable, and socially responsible smart residential care home for the elderly.

Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with ASTRI to explore intelligent technology solutions that helps Pok Oi to plan ahead. She believes the integration of I&T not only enhance operational efficiency but also enable frontline staff to focus more on elderly residents, putting Pok Oi’s people-oriented mission into practice.

Representatives from ASTRI and the Pok Oi Hospital attended the MoU signing ceremony, supporting the introduction of innovative technology designed to enhance the efficiency and quality of elderly care services in residential care homes for the elderly.