HKU Triumphs at Asia-Pacific Robot Contest with Kung Fu Theme
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The University of Hong Kong claimed victory at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest 2026, themed "Kung Fu Quest," defeating 16 university teams from 15 countries and regions. The city's Chinese University finished as runner-up in the competition organized by Radio Television Hong Kong and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted that artificial intelligence is advancing faster than predicted, with its frontier now moving from screens to the physical world.
Key Points
- HKU defeated 16 university squads from 15 countries and regions, including teams from mainland China, Japan, India, Egypt and Cambodia
- The competition required each team's two robots to complete three stages: forging Chinese weapons, collecting kung fu scrolls and aligning scrolls on a tiered frame
- Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said AI has advanced faster than most observers predicted, with its next frontier moving from the screen to the physical world
- Paul Chan noted the Greater Bay Area's 87 million people offer a seamless ecosystem where components can often be sourced within a half-hour drive
- HKSTP chairwoman Cordelia Chung emphasized that while robotics technology is evolving at unprecedented speed, young innovators' passion remains unchanged
Why It Matters
The contest highlights Hong Kong's growing prominence as a regional technology hub, with local universities demonstrating competitive excellence in AI and robotics. Paul Chan's remarks underscore the Greater Bay Area's strategic advantage in supporting robotics companies through integrated supply chains and manufacturing capabilities .
The contest highlights Hong Kong's growing prominence as a regional technology hub, with local universities demonstrating competitive excellence in AI and robotics. Paul Chan's remarks underscore the Greater Bay Area's strategic advantage in supporting robotics companies through integrated supply chains and manufacturing capabilities .