From AI to Sustainability: EdUHK’s Innovations Earn Global Recognition at SVIIF 2026

Innovation in higher education is increasingly measured not only by research excellence, but also by the ability to translate knowledge into real-world solutions. Demonstrating this commitment, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) recently achieved international recognition at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) 2026, where its researchers received 11 awards (i.e. three Special Awards, five Gold Medals and three Silver Medals) for eight innovative inventions spanning artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainability, educational technology and advanced communications.

 Held annually in Silicon Valley, the festival is one of the largest invention exhibitions in the United States and attracts innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world. This year's event brought together more than 500 inventors from 31 countries and regions, providing a global platform for showcasing breakthrough technologies and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

Among EdUHK's standout achievements was RoMetric: Intelligent Hand Function ROM Assessment System, which earned three Special Awards and a Gold Medal. Developed by Dr Fu Hong, Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, the system applies computer vision technology to automate hand-function assessments, reducing assessment time by up to 87 percent while improving efficiency in rehabilitation and healthcare settings.

EdUHK researchers also secured Gold Medals for four other pioneering projects. These included EmoCare, an AI-powered application that supports emotional well-being; an AI-steered wireless circuit design platform for future 6G and satellite communications; BioSentinel, an environmental DNA and RNA sampling system for ecological monitoring; and an innovative approach that transforms waterworks and sewage sludge into sustainable concrete materials. Together, these projects illustrate how interdisciplinary research can address diverse societal challenges, from mental health and environmental sustainability to next-generation connectivity.

The achievements reflect EdUHK's broader vision of advancing innovation through a human-centred approach. Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), noted that the University's researchers are transforming academic knowledge into practical solutions that improve lives and contribute to sustainable development. The international recognition received at SVIIF highlights the growing global relevance of research emerging from both EdUHK and Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem.

Beyond the competition itself, EdUHK was invited to participate in an engagement programme organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco. The programme connected researchers with venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and technology leaders, creating opportunities to explore partnerships and accelerate the real-world application of research outcomes. During the event, EdUHK researchers showcased innovations such as Loving Baby, a humanoid interactive robot designed to enhance language learning and engagement among students, demonstrating the University's strength at the intersection of technology and education.

As universities worldwide seek to maximise the societal impact of their research, EdUHK's success at SVIIF 2026 offers a compelling example of how innovation can be harnessed to address pressing global challenges. By combining technological advancement with educational expertise and social purpose, the University continues to expand its contribution to the international innovation landscape while strengthening Hong Kong's position as a hub for research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship.

List of awarded projects: https://www.eduhk.hk/en/press-releases/eduhk-advances-global-innovation-with-eight-award-winning-breakthroughs-at-sviif-2026