VTC to take part in InnoCarnival 2021
showcasing I&T applied projects to improve lives

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is to participate in the InnoCarnival 2021 that runs from 23 October (today) till 31 October (next Sunday) to showcase a number of innovation and technology (I&T) applied projects co-developed by teachers and students of its member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). The projects on display offer creative solutions to real-life problems for a better tomorrow.

Themed “Innovate for a Bright Future”, the InnoCarnival 2021 is organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, with Paul CHAN Mo-po, HKSAR Financial Secretary, officiating at the opening ceremony.

Among VTC’s eight exhibits, the “Mobile AI Presentation Training Application” is developed by IVE graduates of the Higher Diploma in Software Engineering programme. Driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the system provides real-time analysis of presenters’ voice volume, posture, facial expression and speed. It also offers instant evaluation and feedback. Users can access the mobile app to train themselves up for better presentation skills. The system currently supports English and Cantonese. The team has won several awards like the Gold Award in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) STEM Excellence Award 2021 (Hong Kong), the Outstanding Project (Hong Kong Region) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA IT System Development Competition 2021 and the Innovation Award in the City I&T Grand Challenge.

Another exhibit is “Storyland – A Reading Mate Powered by AI", a mobile app developed by IVE graduates of the Higher Diploma in AI and Mobile Applications Development programme. Kids can read out the children’s story “Three Little Pigs” that is built in the app to learn Chinese vocabulary. To enhance interaction, the kids can teach cartoon characters in the app to learn vocabulary. The more the characters learn, the more the kids can help furnish their virtual home, and accompany them in growing up. Parents are welcome to visit the VTC Booth with their children to try out this app and experience the fun of digital learning.

For visitors who are looking for new catering experience, they can check out the projects of THEi and IVE Engineering Discipline. The “AR (Augmented Reality) Cafe with HoloLens 2” designed by THEi graduate blends the physical and virtual worlds in a cafe setting for better visual enjoyment. After putting on the AR head-mounted glasses, users will see a virtual simulation of the real-life cafe and they can switch to different backgrounds, say a beautiful garden. What’s more, users can activate the virtual menu with their voice and flip the food items to visualise and understand the serving size and appearance before making orders to avoid food waste.

Meanwhile, an IVE engineering team has designed the “STEMbot Coffee”, a coffee-making robotic arm, with the aid of mechanical engineering, robotic control, AI image recognition, robotic programming and mobile app development technologies. Users can order through the mobile app, choose a coffee variety and the latte art, and then the robot will automatically make the coffee in about five minutes, giving the users a taste of self-service catering.

Hand hygiene is important amid the pandemic. The smart tap device, “Hand Hygiene Enhancer” co-developed by IVE teachers and students of the Health and Life Sciences Discipline, offers a bespoke solution. The device is suitable for taps of varying sizes and the built-in voice system will remind users to follow seven handwashing steps, with an LED light to show the designated time for each step, helping users to wash their hands properly and promote personal hygiene.

Other I&T exhibits include the “Memory Forest - Kinect Version”, which is a brain training app that incorporates the concept of “electronic medicine” into games, the “SpeechAI Caregiver”, a virtual platform to help people with facial or voice disorder to have their voice and facial expression reproduced, and the “Modular Production System” that replicates the modern production line.

The InnoCarnival 2021 will be held in a hybrid mode. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Hong Kong Science Park to get to know how innovative technologies are enhancing our daily lives. VTC representatives will also participate in a series of online workshops and webinars. Online registration is welcome.

Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 13 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) , the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK) , the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) , the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) , the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI) , the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) , the International Culinary Institute (ICI) , the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) , Youth College , Pro-Act by VTC , the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.

Website:www.vtc.edu.hk

“InnoCarnival 2021”
Venue: Hong Kong Science Park
Exhibition Period: Saturday 23 October to Sunday 31 October
Website: https://innocarnival.hk/en