Background

Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre (FLAIR)

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the RWTH Aachen Campus from Germany join forces to establish the Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre (FLAIR), to support Hong Kong in developing into an international innovation & technology hub.

As the sole founder, HKPC will work together with RWTH Aachen Campus, the major collaborator of FLAIR, by bundling their strengths and repertoire of resources in technical expertise, networks, innovation and patents etc. to set up the FLAIR and support its operation.

Global Partnerships

Technical Solution Partners

Vision / Mission / Values

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

The BOD is responsible for setting strategic directions, policies and goals for FLAIR, and monitor the implementation by delegating authority to the FLAIR management team. In addition, the BOD shall oversee FLAIR’s regulatory compliance and make decision on IP licensing arrangement.

Dr Lawrence CHEUNG Chi-chong
Member of the Board, FLAIR 

Dr Lawrence Cheung has over 30 years of experience in managing research and development and consultancy business portfolio. In HKPC, he currently manages broad business functions on technology research and development as well as consultancy services in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, FutureSkills training, SME and Startup support, as well as Corporate Development. He leads the development and implementation of the Technology Game Plan for HKPC in the areas of microelectronics, life and health, robotics and artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and new energy. He assumed the position of Member of the Board, Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre (FLAIR) in 2019 and Chief Executive Officer of FLAIR in May 2025. 

He is respectively a Member of Assessment Committee of Green Tech Fund in the Environmental Protection Department; a Member of Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and Qualifications Framework (QF) in the Education Bureau, a Member of the Sub-group on Research Postgraduate Programmes for the Planning Exercise for the 2025-28 Triennium under the University Grants Committee, and, a Member of the Peer Review Expert Panel for of Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. 

He is also an Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Electronics and Technologies Association; Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association; Member of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association; Member of Innovation & Technology Development Committee in Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and Member of Industry & Technology Committee in Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. 

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 first 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.

Mr Edmond LAI Shiao-bun
Member of the Board, FLAIR

Mr Edmond Lai joined the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) in 2018 and has been leading the development of digital transformation, smart manufacturing, Mainland business, and emerging industries. He is an expert in the application of Industry 4.0 (i4.0) and smart technologies. Mr Lai is familiar with the trends of digital market and emerging industries, possessing extensive experience in local and overseas business expansion. He is determined to assist companies in developing new productive forces through the services of HKPC. He assumed the position of Member of the Board, Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre (FLAIR) in 2019 and was the Chief Executive Officer of FLAIR between December 2019 and April 2025.

Under Mr Lai's leadership, HKPC established the FLAIR under InnoHK Clusters in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University in Germany in 2019. Mr Lai also leads the team to develop new applications from emerging technologies and promote the development of related industries, such as life and health, artificial intelligence, robotics, drone applications, and more. In 2025, HKPC was appointed by the Hong Kong SAR Government as the technical cooperation partner for the "Regulatory Sandbox" project of the "Low Altitude Economy Working Group" to promote the development of the low altitude economy.

Prior to joining HKPC, Mr Lai worked for multinational corporation General Electric (GE) for over 20 years, leading various business units in the Greater China region, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, covering transportation, mining equipment, engineering plastics, power, renewable energy, aviation, finance, medical equipment, and other fields.

Mr Lai holds the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) and Master of Philosophy (Computer Science) degrees from the University of Hong Kong.

Directorate

Dr Lawrence CHEUNG Chi-chong
Chief Executive Officer

Dr Lawrence Cheung has over 30 years of experience in managing research and development and consultancy business portfolio. In HKPC, he currently manages broad business functions on technology research and development as well as consultancy services in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, FutureSkills training, SME and Startup support, as well as Corporate Development. He leads the development and implementation of the Technology Game Plan for HKPC in the areas of microelectronics, life and health, robotics and artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and new energy. He assumed the position of Member of the Board, Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre (FLAIR) in 2019 and Chief Executive Officer of FLAIR in May 2025. 

He is respectively a Member of Assessment Committee of Green Tech Fund in the Environmental Protection Department; a Member of Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and Qualifications Framework (QF) in the Education Bureau, a Member of the Sub-group on Research Postgraduate Programmes for the Planning Exercise for the 2025-28 Triennium under the University Grants Committee, and, a Member of the Peer Review Expert Panel for of Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. 

He is also an Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Electronics and Technologies Association; Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association; Member of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association; Member of Innovation & Technology Development Committee in Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and Member of Industry & Technology Committee in Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. 

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 first 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.

Benny Drescher
Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Benny Drescher’s professional expertise lies in Industry 4.0, mechatronic product development, robotics, machine learning and data analytic technologies. He has worked with research institutes, corporate and medium-sized companies from machinery, automotive and manufacturing industries in Germany, USA, Japan and China. 

Dr. Drescher serves as Director Technology at INC Invention Center Limited – supporting manufacturing companies in increasing shop floor efficiency by Industry 4.0 technologies. He is also Co-Founder and Managing Director of Technovation GmbH – a sensor and data analytics engineering firm for the manufacturing industry. In addition, Dr. Drescher co-founded Dronefence GmbH – a safety startup with patented technology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. 

He successfully implemented consulting, engineering and applied research projects with industrial clients at Fraunhofer IWU (Augsburg) and Technical University of Munich. His work resulted in more than 15 scientific publications and major contributions to two patents. 

Dr. Drescher holds a B.Sc./M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. (Dr.-Ing.) in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University of Munich.

Contact Us

Address: 5/F, HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 
Tel：(852) 2782 8499
Email：enquiry@hkflair.org
Business Hours：9:00am to 6:00pm (Monday to Friday)