The use of artificial intelligence (AI) robots will grow across industries, providing new business opportunities, according to speakers at the 2017 Tech Trends Symposium, held during the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair.

At a symposium session entitled "The New Era of Robotics Disruption," four experts discussed industry applications of AI robots and relevant business opportunities, and highlighted what they said was the importance of nurturing talent in research and development (R&D).

Norman C. Tien, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, said the 2016 victory of AI robot AlphGo over South Korean master Lee Sedol at the "Go" board game showed that the technology has come a long way.

"Companies are all developing strategies for the robots to learn and get smarter," he said.

Tien said that robotic technology has a range of applications, from civilian drones to medical sensors and self-driving systems.

"Applications are boundless, as robotic technology can be applied in almost anything," he said. "The trend would be developing the technology that changes people's lives seamlessly like the smartphone or social media did."

Speakers included Crystal Fok, Gordon Cheng, Chia-Peng Day, and Norman Tien.Speakers included Crystal Fok, Gordon Cheng, Chia-Peng Day, and Norman Tien.For instance, when vehicles are equipped with self-driving systems, people will no longer have to learn how to drive. Smart technology used to control the flow of vehicles. It will also eliminate traffic jams in future.

Dr. Crystal Fok, technical lead (Robotics), Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp, said that smart robots will be used in multiple industries in Hong Kong in the next five years, including for tasks characterized as the "3D": Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous, including industrial laundry and construction-site welding.

"The robot is a tool. With the technologies, robots can help tackle the problems," she said. Robots will not replace humans but upgrade workers to value-added jobs, she said.

Dr. Chia-Peng Day, general manager, Foxconn Automation Technology Development Committee, said that in the long run, robotic technology can be applied to factory automation systems, particularly in the "3D" sectors, adding that the technology involves a "chained system" rather than just a robot.

Enhancing Efficiency

According to Fok, Hong Kong's logistics industry has been a pioneer in robotic technology applications, particularly in developing smart warehouses where mobile robots pick, categorize, and pack stock autonomously. She said that with the development of AI systems, it will be possible for multiple robots to work in the same warehouse to enhance production efficiency.

However, she said that the use of smart warehouses is not limited to the logistics industry, but may be extended to other industries and is expected to be an area of high profit growth. Educational entertainment is another area where R&D in robotic technology had an early start and is yielding rewards.

Gordon Cheng, Professor and Chair, Institute for Cognitive Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Munich, told the conference that potential exists for robotic technology applications in such fields as edutainment, medicine, and industry. For the medical and industrial sectors, he expected the technology to become widely used as technological costs gradually decrease.

He said that the development of AI technologies should focus on enhancing the quality of life. Germany is developing different types of force cell sensors that may be applied to smart robots, and conducting experiments for medical applications to help disabled people live a full life.

Cheng also highlighted the possibility of replacing domestic helpers with smart robots, saying that Europe and the United States may be forerunners in employing the technology for this purpose given the high cost of domestic help.

Day said that China is promoting the development of robotic technology through large-scale investment and policy support, and is poised to become a leading adopter of the technology.

He also highlighted the need to nurture global talent for the field, underscoring the importance of educational investment. For Hong Kong, Fok also saw a need to nurture local R&D talent that responds to developing trends.

Tien emphasized that the city needs to build an ecosystem conducive to the development of innovation and technology. He said that the government has invested HK$18 billion ($12.1 billion) in fostering the development of innovation technology, and set up a HK$2 billion fund for investing in local tech start-ups.