The Smart Government Innovation Lab (the Lab) has announced that it is looking for start-ups, SMEs or other companies that can provide I&T solutions pertaining to Flow Management Systems.
Defining the Problem
It was noted that as traditional surveillance cameras used for population monitoring and people-counting may lead to privacy concerns and may be affected by sight-blocking and lighting conditions, the department is exploring alternative technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to serve the operational needs and enhance public services.
Application Areas
According to a press release describing the project’s service needs, the Lab stated that the proposed Application Areas will include City Management, Environment initiatives and projects, Law and Security and, of course, Population monitoring.
Expected Outcomes
The Lab is looking for an alternative solution to replace traditional surveillance cameras in different scenarios for people-counting and behavior-monitoring. However, this technology must ensure that those under surveillance have their privacy preserved.
The solution must be able to count the number of people in a designated location (such as a toilet or store) and the duration for which they are in the area.
In addition, the solution must be able to detect any abnormalities therein; such as overcrowding and or prolonged stay.
The system must be able to automatically alert staff if any of such abnormalities are detected, thereby enhancing the institutional security.
Tech to be Used
The press release stated that the solution must employ the following technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Video Analytics.
About the Smart Government Innovation Lab
In 2018, the HKSAR government established the Smart Government Innovation Lab to explore hi-tech products such as AI and relevant technologies, including machine learning, big data analytics, cognitive systems and intelligent agent, as well as blockchain and robotics from firms, especially local start-ups.
Previous and Ongoing Projects
OpenGov Asia has covered the various innovative solutions ventures supported and incubated at the Smart Government Innovation Lab have achieved.
For example, earlier in January 2020, one venture developed a LiDAR and Optical Sensing application for Smart City development.
The technology is described as a customizable LiDAR solution for 3D geometric structure acquisition that can be deployed in different public service applications including but not limited to digital archiving, object monitoring, smart city development, and management.
Areas of application include City Management, Climate and Weather, Development, environment initiatives, Housing and Infrastructure development, Law and Security, Population monitoring, Transport, as well as in Heritage Conservation.
The company uses AI as well as a slew of other emerging technologies including Cloud Computing, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, Virtual Reality and more.
Later in January 2020, OpenGov Asia reported that the Lab announced the completion of one of its ventures’ solutions.
The solution, called Ai-Knowie, is an intelligent enterprise and knowledge-based engine that compresses the time needed to access insights.
It is capable of ingesting a high volume of documents and data in various formats via its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.
It then automates repetitive business processes with Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and provides users with valuable insights into performance and other types of information.
The Lab is always on the lookout for innovation and technology (I&T) solutions that are conducive to enhancing public services or their operational effectiveness.
I&T suppliers are encouraged to regularly visit the Lab’s website to check on the current business and operational needs in public service delivery, and propose innovative solutions or product suggestions to address them.