By Gloria Fong
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”) announced the completion of the installation of 5G infrastructure which will herald a new era of digitally-elevated and connected venue experience as well as enhancement of operational efficiency. Marking this new page is the introduction of a futuristic staff member to the HKCEC team – “Captain C”, a 5G smart robot which recently completed its apprenticeship successfully as a security captain at the “Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival.” The addition has only been made possible with the new 5G network infrastructure.
The HKCEC now boosts 100% 5G coverage spanning event spaces, restaurants to backstage areas. In addition to 
accommodating a large number of facility users to simultaneously access data-intensive applications and content, the 5G network infrastructure will empower exhibitors to integrate physical and online marketing and sales efforts such as more stable and better real-time live-streaming of events, application of new technologies (such as hologram and augmented reality) to enhance engagement with visitors, and streaming of high-definition videos to visitors’ mobile devices.
Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, said, “As an industry leader, HML is committed to using smart technology to offer better service to our customers, and we are delighted to be one of the first organisations in Hong Kong to provide high-speed indoor 5G connectivity. Our new 5G smart robot also helps us flexibly allocate resources and provide event organisers and visitors with safer, more reliable services.”
Captain C combines 5G network and artificial intelligence technologies. It is equipped with a 360-degree 4K high-definition surveillance camera, infrared detection camera, and a sensor system for detecting smoke and fire. Captain C can play very versatile roles including implementation of crowd management or pandemic prevention measures such as broadcast of social distancing reminders. When a person exhibits a high body temperature or does not wear a mask, Captain C will instantly transmit real-time images to the security control room so that appropriate follow-up actions can be taken.
HML kicked off the US$128 million (HK$1 billion) HKCEC Five-year Advancement Project in 2019 to upgrade and refurbish the HKCEC’s facilities and infrastructure over several stages. The introduction of Captain C is a benefit of the HKSAR Government’s “Subsidy Scheme for Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G” to improve operational efficiency.
Gloria Fong is Senior Manager – Corporate & Marketing Communications at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Pictured: The 5G smart robot “Captain C” was deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival from 20-23 August 2021 to enhance security and operational efficiency at the HKCEC.
