HKPC’s R&D Project Wins Recognition at R&D 100 Awards Again Showcasing Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Strength

(Hong Kong, 21 November 2025) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)’s self-developed intelligent inspection robot, the Autonomous Transformable Wheel-legged Inspection Robot “HazardBot”, has won the Silver Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Special Recognition category at the prestigious 2025 R&D 100 Awards, namely the “Oscars of Innovation”. This latest recognition marks another global accolade for HKPC, reaffirming its leadership in applied research and development and highlighting Hong Kong’s outstanding performance and competitiveness on the world technology stage.

HazardBot Designed for Nuclear Power Plant Safety Inspection Accelerates Industry Smart Upgrading 
HazardBot, funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund under the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong government, was jointly developed by HKPC and technology partners to address the specific needs of a major nuclear power plant in Guangdong. The robot is now undergoing on-site testing and ongoing optimisation. This nuclear plant plays a key role in supplying clean, stable electricity to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong—last year alone, it delivered over 310 billion kilowatt-hours to Hong Kong, accounting for a quarter of the city’s total power consumption. Operating and maintaining nuclear power plants is highly complex; traditional inspections require engineers to enter high-radiation areas, leading to manpower challenges, safety risks, and limited efficiency.

This award-winning solution is purpose-built for such high-risk environments, featuring dual wheels and a transformable design to navigate complex obstacles like stairs and railings inside nuclear plants. It performs autonomous inspections, reducing personnel exposure and ensuring safe, efficient plant operation. Equipped with advanced detection modules and Artificial Intelligence (AI), HazardBot automatically collects and analyses site images and instrument data, replacing manual readings and checks. Its autonomous navigation adapts to real-time routes, greatly enhancing inspection flexibility and accuracy. In future, this technology could be applied to local substations and power facilities in Hong Kong, supporting smart inspections in confined environments and advancing the intelligent upgrade of energy infrastructure citywide and in the region.

GrapheneGuard Medical Protective Fabric Selected as R&D 100 Awards Finalist, Driving Innovation in Materials 
In addition, the Polymer Composite Nanofiber Fabrics with Antimicrobial Function for High-Performance Medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Applications "GrapheneGuard," developed by HKPC in collaboration with The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel and supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund under the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong government, has advanced to the top 158 finalists of the R&D 100 Awards. The project, jointly developed by HKPC and a tech company, was based on a deep understanding of the daily needs of medical professionals. Traditional surgical gowns are often heavy and poorly ventilated, causing discomfort during long hours of wear and posing challenges for clinical work. By integrating graphene and nanofiber technology, GrapheneGuard overcomes these limitations, offering around 20 times higher breathability than conventional protective fabrics, along with long-lasting antibacterial and antiviral properties. The product meets relevant international safety standards, providing healthcare workers with a lightweight yet highly protective option.

While graphene is already used in some consumer products like clothing and pillows, its high-end application in medical-grade protective fabrics remains rare. As our flagship project promoting advanced materials, GrapheneGuard demonstrates how new materials can drive continuous upgrades in healthcare and other industries, further strengthening Hong Kong’s competitiveness in high-end manufacturing.

International Recognition Demonstrates HKPC’s Innovation Strength 
Mr Mohamed Butt, Executive Director of HKPC, said, “We are deeply honoured to receive the recognition at the R&D 100 Awards once again, which affirms our team’s capabilities in technological innovation and AI research and development. The award-winning project was developed in direct response to industry pain points, helping to address real-world challenges and drive industrial upgrading and smart transformation. HKPC will continue promoting the integration of technology and industrial innovation, accelerate the commercialisation of R&D outcomes, and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre and a global hub for AI development, making greater contributions during the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan period.”

Organised by the internationally renowned magazine R&D World, the R&D 100 Awards is one of the world’s most influential accolades for technological innovation, attracting top research institutions globally every year. The independent panel of expert judges conducts rigorous and professional assessments, making the competition extremely fierce. HKPC’s project has stood out among top-notch R&D institutions is strong proof of Hong Kong’s world-leading research capabilities . HKPC will continue working closely with industry partners to facilitate the application of innovative technologies, promoting Hong Kong’s smart and sustainable development.

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The Autonomous Transformable Wheel-legged Inspection Robot “HazardBot” jointly developed by HKPC and industry partners, received the Silver Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Special Recognition category at the 2025 R&D 100 Awards. Featuring a dual-wheel and transformable design, HazardBot can flexibly adapt to the complex environment inside nuclear power plants, overcoming obstacles such as stairs and railings to autonomously perform inspection tasks.

The antibacterial and antiviral nanofiber fabric “GrapheneGuard” jointly developed by HKPC and industry partners, successfully advanced to the top 158 finalists in the main competition of the R&D 100 Awards. Combining graphene and nanofiber technology, GrapheneGuard overcomes the limitations of traditional fabrics, offering about 20 times higher breathability than conventional protective materials, along with long-lasting antibacterial and antiviral properties.