The Future of Robotics Unleashed at 35th Anniversary Launch

Under the glow of HKUST’s 35th anniversary lights, the audience watched robot dogs deliver ceremonial 'miracle’ balls, humanoids greet attendees, and drones soar above the Jockey Club Atrium.

Amid such technological wizardry, the launch ceremony for the 35th anniversary was transformed into a living stage for the spirit of invention.

Each of these state-of-the-art machines told a story of discovery, mentorship, and entrepreneurship brought to life, a fitting icon for HKUST’s year-long celebrations.

A key highlight of the event was a robot dog equipped with advanced sensing technology developed by the Data-Enabled Scalable Research Lab (DESR Lab) led by Prof. WANG Yu-Hsing in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Now affiliated with the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (CKSRI), Prof. Wang and his team contributed a versatile sensing system that enables the robot to support a wide range of research and field applications through flexible sensor configurations.

Designed to operate safely in complex outdoor and industrial environments, the robot has already been deployed for building inspections at sewage plant facilities and for urban tree inventory. These real-world applications reflect HKUST’s commitment to applying frontier research for the public good.

The second robot dog, D1, is the world’s first fully modular embodied intelligent robot. It was developed and donated to the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute by Direct Drive Technology, a startup founded by ZHANG Di, an alumnus and HKUST Founder’s Club Fellow. 

Featuring docking‑free, unlimited forms, D1 can switch into biped, quadruped, bipedal-wheeled, and quadruped-wheeled, creating an agile and flexible motion system suited for challenging scenarios. It is ideal for building patrols, delivering supplies, and executing complex tasks. Its presence at the ceremony embodied HKUST’s unique ecosystem for engineering excellence and flourishing entrepreneurial drive.

The launch ceremony also introduced a new friend to the audience: VonNex, a humanoid robot controlled by the locomotive algorithm developed by students at the HKUST Von Neumann Institute. This AI robot can perceive its environment and make autonomous decisions.

Of particular interest to sports fans, it can shoot basketballs, spar, and catch fast-moving objects. 

The student team behind VonNex is working tirelessly toward a bold vision: a truly general-purpose AI agent that can enhance everyday human life.

Moving on to aerial technology, DJI founder Frank Wang, another distinguished alumnus, generously donated two advanced drones to support research at HKUST’s Low Altitude Economy Center. DJI innovations are famed for transforming aerial robotics worldwide.

This drone technology not only aligns with national development priorities; it also serves as a powerful bridge between alumni achievement and HKUST’s research excellence.

The 35th anniversary is ultimately a celebration of our people: the visionary faculty who dare to explore the unknown, students who turn curiosity into invention, and alumni who change industries while staying connected to their HKUST roots. 

Our greatest miracles are not technology itself, but the people who create it.