The Low-Altitude Economy Development Strategy Sub-forum of the 2024 Greater Bay Area Science Forum opens on Nov 18 in Guangzhou's Nansha district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Nearly 200 renowned scientists, researchers, experts and scholars from the world gathered at the Low-Altitude Economy Development Strategy Sub-forum of the 2024 Greater Bay Area Science Forum which opened in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Nov 18.
The scientists and experts engaged in in-depth discussions on the development of the low-altitude economy, including key technologies, supportive policies, and practical application scenarios.
The forum was jointly held by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), or HKUST(GZ), in collaboration with HKUST and the International Digital Economy Academy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (IDEA).
This event also showcased the technological innovations HKUST(GZ), Nansha, and Guangzhou have achieved in the low-altitude economy. It injected strong momentum into accelerating the takeoff of the low-altitude economy in the Greater Bay Area.
It has demonstrated the firm commitment of the Greater Bay Area to exploring new paths and promoting new developments in the low-altitude economy, providing critical support for the high-quality development of the regional economy.
Yang Jun, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, remarked in his speech that the sub-forum was a heavyweight forum introduced at this year's Greater Bay Area Science Forum.
He highlighted that, under the framework of the macro-policy guidance and through the collaborative efforts of the industrial, academic, and financial sectors, Guangdong is positioned to achieve breakthroughs in the low-altitude economy.
Shen Xiangyang, chairman of the HKUST Council and foreign member of the National Academy of Engineering of the United States, noted that IDEA began exploring the technical framework for the low-altitude economy four years ago.
Shen also introduced IDEA's recent phased achievements. In August this year, IDEA released the SILAS Pioneer Edition, the country's first low-altitude management and service operating system that digitizes urban-level low-altitude airspace and integrates urban CIM bases and intelligent computing power.
Professor Lionel M. Ni, president of HKUST(GZ), speaks during the Low-Altitude Economy Development Strategy Sub-forum of the 2024 Greater Bay Area Science Forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Professor Lionel M. Ni, president of HKUST(GZ), said in his speech that the low-altitude economy, as a trans-disciplinary field, aligns well with the educational philosophy of HKUST(GZ).
HKUST(GZ) established the Low-Altitude Systems and Economy Research Institute (LASERi) in April this year, aiming to contribute to the overall development of the low-altitude economy through the organic integration of disciplines such as materials, energy, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, big data, and science and technology policy.
The LASERi has attracted more than 80 educators and has supported 25 promising projects. Ni emphasized that, as a research institution, HKUST(GZ) must remain at the forefront of innovation, pursue close collaboration with industry partners, address fundamental technological challenges, and create the "HKUST(GZ) Model" to advance the development of the low-altitude economy.
Furthermore, in the special report session, academic representatives from HKUST and HKUST(GZ), along with representatives from organizations such as China Unicom Guangdong, the Guangdong Urban-Rural Planning and Design Institute, and Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology, presented comprehensive reports on varied topics such as scenarios and systems, sustainable development and energy, as well as aircraft technology.
A special exhibition area is set up to showcase high-quality projects and prototypes from HKUST(GZ) and LASERi. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
An exhibition area featuring high-quality projects of prototypes and product displays developed by HKUST(GZ), LASERi's projects, and project posters and video displays of HKUST(GZ)'s hubs and thrusts was also set up.
It aims to boost school-enterprise collaboration, explore sustainable development paths for the low-altitude economy and further build a scientific and technological innovation industry chain in the Greater Bay Area with global competitiveness.
