The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Engineering (HKUST Engineering) and the HKUST GREAT Smart Cities Institute (GSCI) successfully hosted a high-level delegation from CRRC Corporation Ltd. (中国中车集团), the world’s largest supplier of rail transit equipment, and its affiliate CRRC (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. The visit served as a strategic engagement platform to explore potential multi-disciplinary Industry-Academia collaboration in advanced smart rail technology and sustainable urban systems, with the goal of contributing to regional economic development across the Greater Bay Area and globally. 

Showcasing Core Capabilities 

During the visit, CRRC leadership engaged with senior HKUST faculty members such as Professors Tim K.T. Cheng, Hong K. Lo, Jie George Yuan, Xiaofang Zhou, Jiheng Zhang, Wenjing Ye, and Molong Duan. The faculty presented the School of Engineering's pioneering R&D capabilities, recent accolades, and established industrial collaborations, notably GSCI’s track record through the HKUST-MTR Joint Laboratory. 

The exploratory discussions indicated mutual interest in advancing next-generation rail transit and smart mobility solutions, for example, the potential formation of a Joint Research Laboratory. Other potential collaboration discussed also included the development of customized talent development and executive training programs that could equip CRRC’s workforce with advanced skills necessary for the future of intelligent rail systems. 

Beyond this city-wide simulation, the system also features a powerful, specialized model solely for disruptions. Rather than simply reacting to problems, this model uses vast amounts of data to simulate and predict how passengers would react, providing the operator crucial foresight. This allows them to anticipate and manage disruptions before they escalate, ensuring best possible experience for passengers.

AI Integration for Future-Ready Rail  

The visit also included a specialized tour of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research & Development Center (HKGAI). This tour emphasized the critical role of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping CRRC's long-term technology roadmap.  

The strategic engagement confirmed a shared vision between HKUST Engineering, GSCI and CRRC for innovation in intelligent rail systems. GSCI remains dedicated to pursuing multi-disciplinary partnerships that align its research strengths with the global needs of industry leaders.