As a leading Asia financial hub, Hong Kong may be less known for its robotics industry. But the city has pledged more than two billion US dollars to foster innovation and technology in its latest budget. As Huang Fei reports, previous investments in the high-tech sector are already bearing fruit. 

Robots, reborn. Mark Mak and his team are turning their Superhero dreams into reality. They invented China's first 5G motion-control humanoid in 2018, which can be used in rescue missions and dangerous factory operations, among many other scenarios.

MARK MAK Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Roborn Technology Limited "Growing up, I watched Japanese animations and developed a passion for Robots. I wanted to make humanoids that help people. We have worked with telecom companies on the Chinese mainland, and our products have been introduced across the country. We have also introduced them to many other nations through the Belt and Road Initiative."

Much of Hong Kong's tech future is born out of the city's Science Park or Cyberport. They provide companies with starting capital, access to investors, and swanky office space like this.

HUANG FEI Hong Kong "This looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. But the robots here are all practical solutions with an impact on everyday life. This one for example is used in physio therapy."

MARK MAK Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Roborn Technology Limited "We are teaching the robot to perform delicate tasks, so that a therapist can complete a 40-minute treatment through remote control. This will massively reduce the pressure on frontline staff in our nursing homes. It's still in development stage, but we hope to take it to market in the future."

To make high-tech visions a commercial reality, Hong Kong is looking across its northern border.

ALFRED SIT WING-HANG HK Secretary for Innovation and Technology "Hong Kong is very strong in fundamental research, and we have the financial expertise to help companies scale up. But commercializing our research is where we fall short. We need customer base, and factories with high-end production capabilities. Cities in the Greater Bay Area like Dongguan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are much stronger in those aspects. That's why we need to work together to turn our scientific research into marketable products."

Roborn has saved costs by sourcing components from Guangdong's Jiangmen city. Mark's newer prototypes have received many inquiries and he hopes to answer them in person – once borders are open. He's confident the next-generation humanoids will have plenty of room to make a difference.

Huang Fei, CGTN, Hong Kong.