HKSTP Sparks Co-innovation between Hong Kong Police Force and Altai Technologies to Enhance Emergency Rescue Services

(Hong Kong, 31 May 2023) – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and partner company Altai Technologies Limited (Altai) to advance emergency rescue capabilities with ground-breaking “Signal Radar” solution. It is achieved by understanding the challenges and through solution scouting from HKSTP ecosystem with over 1,400 park companies.

The “Signal Radar” solution uses local innovative technology to help rescue teams locate and save lives in the most remote and challenging terrains. It is co-developed by the HKPF with Altai, which allows rescuers to detect SOS signals generated by the “HKSOS” application*.

Without relying on mobile network coverage, “Signal Radar” can detect signals at a much longer distance than other wireless technologies in the same category. Moreover, “Signal Radar” can detect SOS signals in complex terrain. Even under densely covered forest canopy or on the sea, it can still pass accurate GPS coordinates of people in need to rescue teams.

Hong Kong consists of over 60 islands, with 40% of land area designed as country parks. Many of the locations have a mountainous terrain, posing great challenges to rescuers. According to the HKPF, in past four years, the number of search and rescue missions in Hong Kong has increased by 370%. As “Signal Radar” is specifically designed to cope with the limitation of rescue, it is believed the solution can enhance rescue ability and grasp life-saving golden window.

“Signal Radar” is the first time Altai applied and adopted its patented technology to a search and rescue application. The innovative solution has received international recognition for its ground-breaking capabilities by winning Gold Medal award with the Congratulations of the Jury in “Security, Search & Alarm” category at the 48th International Exhibition of inventions of Geneva in April 2023. The unique solution is also expected to be highly sought after far beyond Hong Kong in regions and countries that face similar challenging rescue conditions and scenarios. 

MOHAMMED Swalikh, Senior Superintendent of Police from the Digital Policing Services Bureau of the HKPF, said: “It is a strategic direction of the HKPF to embrace the use of new technologies in policing, and to promote innovation and technology both internally and externally through collaboration and partnership with the industry and academia. Being the largest department of the government, the HKPF is also the first department that has signed an MoU with HKSTP in order to foster innovation and technology.”

Ken Leung, Vice President of Business Development of Altai Technologies, said: “With the support from HKSTP, we are honoured to have this opportunity to develop this meaningful and innovative solution to save lives with the HKPF. We look forward to seeing this locally developed solution to be rolled out in the search and rescue operation and make a positive impact to the society, locally and globally.”

Eric Or, Head of Partnerships of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, said: “The collaboration between the HKPF and Altai is not just about adopting a technology, but the HKPF took part to co-create solution for their specific applications. This is important to accelerate bringing innovative solutions to the market. We hope the collaboration can establish a precedent, to drive more innovation and technology cooperation between the corporations and Government department with start-ups.”

The HKPF and HKSTP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2022, to collaborate on the application of innovative solutions over five areas, including Search and Rescue Operations, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) and Augmented Reality (AR). The award-winning “Signal Radar” solution co-developed by the HKPF and Altai is the first culmination of the MoU. HKSTP has already connected more than 40 tech ventures to the HKPF to continue drive innovation and promote the commercialisation and implementation of technology in the innovation and technology sector.

The HKPF is the first government department to sign an MoU with HKSTP to drive technology adoption and nurture I&T talents. HKSTP will continue to drive innovation by solution scouting to match market-proven solutions across the globe with over 300 corporate partners from all sectors, with mentoring and consultation to ensure the innovation is tailored to drive business success.

*“HKSOS” application is developed by the HKPF and is set for launch at end of 2023.

Photo 1: Eric Or, Head of Partnerships of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (right), MOHAMMED Swalikh, Senior Superintendent of Police from the Digital Policing Services Bureau of the HKPF (middle) and Ken Leung, Vice President of Business Development of Altai Technologies (right) showcase “Signal Radar” and Gold Medal award with the Congratulations of the Jury from the 48th International Exhibition of inventions of Geneva.