LSCM R&D Centre eNews

Apr 2016

New LSCM Technology Development

The LSCM R&D Centre is not only committed to foster the development of core competencies in logistics and supply chain related technologies, but also targeted to provide a Public Technology Platform to forge technology advancement in different areas, and also for the communal interest. The two projects introduced in this issue, namely, “A Cloud Platform for Communal Navigation and Information Services for the Visually Impaired” and “An Integrated Sensor Module and Ubiquitous Wireless Network for Smart Drainage System”, specifically serve this purpose.

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A Cloud Platform for Communal Navigation and Information Services for the Visually Impaired

In previous projects, the LSCM R&D Centre has developed the RFID reader based blind cane and navigation systems and conducted tests in the Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB). However, the RFID blind system with basic navigation application software developed is not enough for a widespread dissemination in the community. To step forward and to foster a sustainable city-wide adoption of this technology, the Centre plans to develop a blind community cloud platform to support multiple information sources and service providers comprised of stakeholders in different roles.

For an effective use of the cloud platform and navigation system, more organisations will be recruited for the installation of smart tiles and made navigation information available. In order words, the objective of this project is to provide a city-wide blind community cloud platform, containing integrated information and applications from different parties and stakeholders, to offer intelligent navigation aid and other services to the visually impaired.

A memorandum of understanding between the LSCM R&D Centre and Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited was signed during the LSCM Roadshow 2016 to officially commence this project. The Centre will research and develop the cloud-based technologies to enable these usages by the community, not only for the visually impaired but ultimately the operators of the platform, facility management offices, transportation companies and other related stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Centre will enhance the usage of RFID tile tag in MTR station. Through the trial testing of the system in two MTR stations, the project team will get experiences of using the system in public transportation environments and the necessary enhancement to the system, in order to prepare for a more widespread usage in the coming future.

The LSCM R&D Centre and Barrier Free Access (HK) Limited signed a MOU during the LSCM Roadshow 2016.

"The Smart Blind Cane" was awarded “Gold medal with congratulations of the jury” in Class C (computation, software engineering, electronics) at the 44th Geneva International Exhibition of Invention.

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An Integrated Sensor Module and Ubiquitous Wireless Network for Smart Drainage System

The sub-tropical climate in Hong Kong often causes heavy rainstorms, threatening residents’ living conditions from all aspects such as disconnecting transportation, losses of public and personal property, and even human lives. By adopting traditional approaches, it is difficult to maintain a highly efficient drainage and sewage system with the rapid development of urban construction. Monitoring the underground environment is the key point to prevent or even, to predict the possible accidents, and thus, an underground sensing network to provide real-time monitoring of drainage would be a possible solution.

Currently the Drainage Services Department has started using some existing commercial products for short-term experiments in the real-time monitoring of water level. However, these standalone products, offering limited sensor capability and flexibility, are expensive and difficult to scale up into a comprehensive sensor network or platform.

This project pertains to develop a sophisticated sensing system from underground to above ground to collect environmental information by various sensor modules, such as water level sensors, explosive gas sensors and hazardous gas sensors, with a software developed based on cloud computing and storage technique. The pilot-run is expected to be launched in 2017.

The project is based on the successful implementation of “RFID-Enabled Sensing Technologies for Real-time Environmental Monitoring and Risk Management” which deploys a mesh network for transferring sensor data including temperature, humidity and ultraviolet data, etc.

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IoT Cross-Boundary Fast-Clearance Security System

The LSCM R&D Centre supported the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) in the “Intermodal Transshipment Facilitation Scheme (ITFS)” since November 2012, which aims at enhancing the clearance efficiency of intermodal transshipment cargo across the boundary and facilitating trade through the application of advanced technology. The scheme has now extended to major clearance zones in Guangdong Province covering 22 clearance points and 264 routes.

C&ED further extended the facilitation under the ITFS by launching the Single E-lock Scheme together with the Mainland Customs in late March 2016. Under the Single E-lock Scheme, ITFS is interconnected with the Speedy Customs Clearance of the Customs administrations of Guangdong Province. The IoT Cross-Boundary Fast-Clearance Security System developed by the LSCM R&D Centre offers a more efficient way to facilitate the logistics flow through seamless clearance service. One single electronic lock and global positioning system (GPS) technology are applied to monitor and safeguard the security of the transshipment cargo by the two Customs authorities on the principle of “Across the Boundary with One Single E-lock under Separate Monitoring”. By using a Single E-lock, duplicate inspection on the same shipment by both Customs authorities will be reduced at the boundary, which helps to streamline the clearance process and expedite the flow of transshipment cargo.

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