Gov’t, ASTRI partner for enhanced immigration service

Technology developed by ASTRI will be used to improve work efficiency.

The Immigration Department has signed a partnership with Hong Kong Applied Technology and Research Institute (ASTRI) for the utilisation of the latest technology to boost the work efficiency of immigration staff.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on 30 April by ASTRI CEO Denis Yip and Immigration director Benson Kwok.

Under the deal, Kwok said his department will take advantage of the technology developed by ASTRI to help immigration staff in boosting work efficiency. This is also the agency’s way to contribute to the government’s goal of speeding up the development of “Smart City,” he added.

Both parties will look into new solutions for adopting technology in the areas of Innovative Immigration Clearance Mode, Biometric Identification and Authentication, Artificial Intelligence Assisted Immigration Application, and Collaborative Robotics Technology.

According to Yip, some technologies that can automate immigration operations are multi-cameras matrix sensing fusion technology, facial recognition and frontalisation technology, fast-searching AI algorithms, and AI Out-of-focus De-blur engine.

He also said that ASTRI has developed a system that makes image verification possible through the glasses.

Also part of the agreement are exploration of biometric identification and authentication technology to enhance service standards and law enforcement capabilities, AI-assisted immigration application, and collaborative robotics technology to strengthen the security measures within immigration premises and simplify the clearance process.

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"We are ready to team up with other government departments to apply I&T in more scenarios for the greater good, promoting the development of home-grown innovative technologies and cementing Hong Kong's role as a technology transfer hub," ASTRI Chairman Ir Sunny Lee said.