HK hosts regional robotics contest

The ABU Robocon 2026, a robotics competition jointly organized by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), recently took place in Hong Kong. The event marked the Asia-Pacific region’s largest university-level robotics contest, featuring 16 university teams from 15 different countries and regions.

During the opening ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized the significance of the competition beyond merely determining the fastest or most stable robot. Chan framed the contest as a crucial step in the advancement of artificial intelligence. He stated that every attempt made during the competition contributed to the evolution of this technology.

Chan highlighted the real-world engineering challenges faced by the teams, such as tight deadlines, budget constraints, equipment failures at the last minute, and team disagreements. He emphasized that textbooks cannot adequately teach these practical aspects of engineering.

Regarding the future of artificial intelligence, Chan observed that its next frontier lies in "embodiment." Once an algorithm can perceive, hear, and understand its environment, it still requires a physical body to interact with the world. That body is the robot. Chan encouraged the competitors to continue imagining, getting their hands dirty, and learning as they develop these advanced robotic technologies.

Other notable attendees at the opening ceremony included RTHK Director of Broadcasting Angelina Kwan, HKSTP Chairman Cordelia Chung, and ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem.