The Hong Kong Housing Authority (房委會) has submitted a proposal to the Legislative Council on 28 October 2026 outlining plans to extend artificial‑intelligence (AI) image‑analysis capabilities to public areas within public housing estates. The Authority intends to use the technology to detect specific behaviours such as smoking in designated non‑smoking zones and the prolonged occupation of corridors. The Authority has already deployed AI‑based monitoring in approximately 30 key points across several estates to track vehicle parking violations and littering. When the system issues an alert, frontline staff are dispatched immediately to advise, remind and, if necessary, take further action. The aim is to reduce violations and minimise disputes that can arise from enforcement. In addition to AI monitoring, the Housing Authority has been actively using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct inspections. UAVs have completed exterior‑wall surveys for 34 estates and elevator‑shaft surveys for nine estates, replacing traditional high‑altitude inspections and reducing the need for costly and time‑consuming scaffolding. The Authority plans to extend UAV use to all estates. The Authority also conducts annual UAV inspections of roughly 500 trees and 20 green‑roofed buildings. It is researching aerial robots equipped with mechanical arms that can pick up or clean debris that has fallen on building exteriors or roofs. The Authority is collaborating with suppliers on product development and early testing, with plans to trial the technology in estates once regulatory approvals are obtained. Since May 2026, the Authority has been testing AI‑powered water‑tank cleaning robots in three estates—Tung Chung Man Tung Estate, Cheung Sha Wan Hoi Ying Estate, and Kwai Tsing Lai Yiu Estate. The trial is ongoing, and the Authority hopes to roll out the technology across all public housing estates within the year.
Article source: Sing Tao Electronic Daily | Image credit: Sing Tao Electronic Daily