HKCEC installs 5G infrastructure for digitally-elevated and connected venue experience

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) has installed 5G infrastructure to herald a new era of digitally-elevated and connected venue experience as well as enhancement of operational efficiency.

The new 5G network infrastructure enabled the introduction of ‘futuristic staff member Captain C ’ to the HKCEC team - a 5G smart robot deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival from 20th-23rd August 2021 to enhance security and operational efficiency at the HKCEC. 

‘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.

The HKCEC now boasts 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.   

HML Managing Director, Monica Lee-Müller notes “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.”

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.

For more information on Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre go to www.hkcec.com/

Image: The 5G smart robot ‘Captain C’ was deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival from 20th-23rd August 2021 to enhance security and operational efficiency at the HKCEC.