ASTRI’s Edison Awards Sweep Cements Hong Kong's Innovation Status

FORT MYERS, FL – April 17, 2026 – The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has claimed a dominant position on the global innovation stage, securing five prestigious accolades at the 2026 Edison Awards. The haul, which includes two Gold and three Silver awards, makes ASTRI the most decorated Hong Kong organization at this year's event, widely regarded as the "Oscars of Innovation."

The achievement serves as a powerful validation of the government-funded institute's research and development prowess and its strategic focus on fusing information and communications technology (ICT) with advanced materials science. The award-winning innovations, ranging from life-saving wearables to sophisticated anti-counterfeiting systems, were celebrated at a gala ceremony held in Fort Myers, Florida, following a two-day Innovators' Showcase where they attracted significant international interest.

Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, accepted the honors on behalf of the institute. "We are honoured to receive this distinguished recognition from the Edison Awards, which affirms ASTRI's world-class innovation capabilities and our successes in translating applied research into commercially viable solutions," he stated. "These achievements are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our research teams, as well as our collaborative partnerships with industry leaders."

A Global Benchmark for Hong Kong Tech

For an institution tasked with bolstering Hong Kong's position as an international I&T hub, success at the Edison Awards is more than just a collection of trophies. Established in 1987, the awards recognize global excellence in new product development, design, and innovation, with past honorees including luminaries like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, and corporate giants such as General Electric and NVIDIA. The rigorous judging process, conducted by a panel of over 3,000 leading executives and academics, evaluates entries on their concept, value, and societal impact.

ASTRI's five wins amidst intense international competition underscore the effectiveness of its mission. As Hong Kong's largest government-funded R&D center, it operates with a mandate to drive market-driven advancements and bridge the gap between lab research and commercial application. This success signals that Hong Kong's investment in a robust I&T ecosystem is yielding world-class results that are not only technologically advanced but also commercially relevant and poised to address tangible global needs.

"As Hong Kong's largest government-funded research and development centre, ASTRI remains committed to advancing the city's position as an international I&T hub," Dr Suen added, reinforcing the institute's strategic role. "We will continue to accelerate the commercialisation of breakthrough technologies, foster strategic partnerships across sectors, and drive the wider adoption of innovative solutions that create measurable value for industries and society."

From Lab to Life: Five Innovations Changing the Game

The breadth of ASTRI’s winning technologies highlights its interdisciplinary strength, providing tangible solutions for public safety, consumer health, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial efficiency.

Securing a Gold Award in public safety is the NIR Secure Anti-counterfeit Solution. Co-developed with Zhuhai Print-Rite New Materials Corporation Ltd., this technology embeds invisible near-infrared (NIR) absorbing materials directly into product packaging. This creates a covert security feature that is instantly verifiable with a smartphone equipped with a special reader, offering a powerful tool against the multi-billion-dollar counterfeit goods market without altering a product's aesthetic design. It provides brands in luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and electronics a scalable and robust defense system.

The second Gold Award went to the dxp® All-Directional Impact Management System DXP Helmet Pad, a critical advancement in personal safety. Developed with Dacy Pro Limited, this innovative pad can be retrofitted into a wide range of helmets to provide superior protection against rotational impacts—a primary cause of concussions and traumatic brain injuries that conventional helmets often fail to mitigate. By managing impacts from all directions without sacrificing comfort, it has the potential to revolutionize safety standards in sports and industrial settings.

In elderly care, ASTRI earned a Silver Award for NuHip, the world's first shower-friendly hip protector. Falls are a leading cause of fatal injury among older adults, and hip fractures can be devastating. NuHip addresses this with a one-size-fits-all design that is soft, skin-friendly, and certified to reduce impact forces by over 75%, significantly lowering fracture risk. Its wearability, even in the shower where fall risk is highest, tackles the critical challenge of user compliance, promoting safer, more independent living.

A Silver Award also recognized Oscillaware Fiber, a breakthrough in sustainable textiles. This eco-friendly elastic fiber, produced via a melt spinning process, offers adaptive muscle support that is over three times more effective than traditional fibers during intense activity. For athletes and consumers, this means reduced injury risk, enhanced performance, and superior comfort. For the apparel industry, it represents a leap forward in creating high-performance, functional textiles with a smaller environmental footprint.

Finally, the Smart Optics Precision Positioning System won Silver for its impact on construction safety and efficiency. Already deployed in Hong Kong public housing projects, this system gives tower crane operators real-time, high-precision positioning and route monitoring for hoisting components. By integrating advanced optical communication and neuromorphic sensing, it delivers fast, dynamic tracking that minimizes human error, accelerates construction timelines, and dramatically improves site safety in complex building environments.