Many countries are making use of cutting-edge gerontechnology to meet the demographic challenges. In Hong Kong, gerontechnology is still at the beginning stage and there are much room for growth. Do most people view technology as a real solution to maintain their independence and health? What can be done to encourage people to accept smart solutions which will bring quality lives? This session will study how older adults, family members, caregivers, health care professionals, and service providers could be involved in the decision-making process to ensure that autonomy and dignity are upheld. The panelists will bring out the most recent innovations, trends, and challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the development and use of gerontechnology.
Ms Chan was invited as a member of the Strategic Advisory Group for the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities in 2013. She is a former member of the Elderly Commission, and also sits on some committees and boards in the statutory bodies of Hong Kong. Her areas of expertise include long-term care, age-friendly cities and communities, elderly participation, lifelong learning, and innovation and technology for ageing.
Ms Chan joined HKCSS in 2006 and established the team of Innovation and Technology for Ageing in 2017 taking the lead in the development of several innovative services, including Gerontechnology Platform, Jockey Club "age at home" Gerontech Education and Rental Service, and Stair Climbing Service, etc. In 2019, she was awarded as Ageing Asia Global Ageing Influencer, in honouring the outstanding achievements of the most influential leader impacting ageing in the Asia Pacific.
Alvin believes that business is a vital force for creating social good. Since 2015, he and his team have developed HandyRehab, one of the world’s lightest wireless robotic gloves designed for rehabilitation. As the company’s flagship product, the sensor-based technology is key to hand function rehabilitation during the golden recovery period for stroke patients.
HandyRehab aside, Alvin’s team has successfully transformed Temi, a robot originally designed for personal use, into Temi Medic, a multifunctional robot that could support virtual visits at elderly homes and could serve as an assistant to site staff. The product has been extremely well-received in the Hong Kong market. It addresses the needs of elderly homes especially when normal visits were prohibited during the Covid-19 pandemic and social distance was encouraged.
Recently, Alvin has been selected as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree. In 2020, Alvin was recognised by Tatler as a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow for shaping Asia’s future, among a group of 400 trailblazing entrepreneurs and creatives who are driving positive impact and catalysing change in Asia.
Alvin was born and raised in Hong Kong and had later spent time in London and South Carolina. Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports and spending time in nature. He graduated from the International Business and Chinese Enterprise Programme of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
development and consultancy business portfolio. In HKPC, he currently manages a
broad collection of business functions on technology research and development as well
as consultancy services in smart living, automotive, 5G applications, gerontech, green
living technology, testing, food processing, Chinese medicine, FutureSkills training as
well as SME and Start Up support.
He is respectively a Member of Steering Committee of New Energy Transport Fund,
Assessment Committee of Green Tech Fund, and Awards Committee on the Hong
Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence, all in the Environmental Protection
Department.
Prior to joining HKPC, Dr. Cheung was living in Australia holding a senior research
position in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
of Australia. He obtained Bachelor of Engineering with 1st class honours and Bachelor
of Science degrees from Monash University in Australia. His doctorate degree on
Computer Imaging research was also from Monash University. Dr. Cheung joined
HKPC in 1996.
A self-made entrepreneur in the eHealth and HealthTech industry, Albert started out as a Healthcare Solutions Specialist at IBM China / Hong Kong. He successfully founded his first business venture Healthbasic.com and was acquired by Quality Healthcare in 2001.
Albert holds a bachelor degree in Computer Science and an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.