Hong Kong Electronics Fairs Highlight AI and Robotics as Key Growth Drivers

The 45th Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and the 28th electronicAsia concluded successfully, attracting approximately 60,000 buyers from 142 countries and regions. The concurrent four-day events at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre saw increased participation from Spain, Japan, Brazil and Australia compared to the previous year, reinforcing the fairs' position as crucial international sourcing platforms for the electronics industry.

Aligning with Hong Kong's policy direction to promote artificial intelligence as a core development industry, this year's Autumn Electronics Fair focused on three key areas: AI and Robotics Technology, Digital Entertainment, and the Silver Economy. The event featured multiple themed zones and professional forums that enabled industry players to showcase innovations and exchange ideas on technology applications. Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized that amid global trade uncertainties, the organization has been proactively helping companies with business transformation and exploring new markets.

An independent survey commissioned by the HKTDC revealed significant industry trends, with 51% of the 1,092 respondents expecting sales growth in the next 12 to 24 months. The survey identified particularly promising growth prospects in the Middle East (77%), Korea (70%), India (69%) and ASEAN countries (69%). Most notably, 44% of industry insiders reported exploring or integrating Generative AI technology, primarily in product design and development (60%), customer service and support (40%), and marketing and advertising (35%).

The fairs attracted more than 3,200 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, with the HKTDC organizing 120 buyer delegations from 61 countries including major global corporations. Robotics technologies took center stage with demonstrations across various scenarios. Leading mainland tech enterprises such as Deep Robotics and BrainCo from Hangzhou's Six Little Dragons showcased their innovations alongside Shenzhen's Eight Great Guardians of Embodied Intelligence including DIGIT, PaXini and LimX.

Several companies reported significant business achievements through the fairs. Shanghai Hi-dolphin Robot Technology secured an onsite order for 10 COFE+ Robot Coffee Kiosks worth US$450,000 from a Turkish client, while establishing 200 promising leads with buyers from Thailand, the United States and other regions. PaXini Technology co-founder Xiangru Nie noted that through the fair, the company had secured procurement intentions with robotics companies from Southeast Asian countries and attracted attention from high-end manufacturing sectors in Europe and the United States, with intended orders expected to exceed tens of millions of renminbi.

The newly established RoboPark activity zone hosted over 30 live robot demonstrations featuring companies like Unitree Robotics and Booster Robotics. SOTA Robotics successfully demonstrated its humanoid performing robot CURI Gen2 at RoboPark, establishing direct contact with potential investors from the United Kingdom, Pakistan and the Chinese Mainland. International participants also benefited significantly, with Canadian company Siborg Systems Inc connecting with potential buyers from at least eight different countries and regions including Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan and Russia.

Global buyers demonstrated strong interest, particularly from emerging markets. Hanafiah Yussof, Founder & CEO of Malaysian service robotics company Robopreneur Sdn. Bhd., met suppliers from the mainland, Europe and Japan and expected to spend around US$2 million annually. Neelesh Bhatia, CEO of Alraja Trading FZC LLC from the United Arab Emirates, projected a purchasing budget of US$300,000 for this cycle, with potential to reach US$1.5 million annually as partnerships develop.

The organizer hosted more than 100 engaging activities, forums and showcases including the 10th Symposium on Innovation and Technology, the Hong Kong Electronic Forum, and seminars on AI-powered monitoring and smart inspection in construction. These events featured prominent speakers sharing insights into industry trends and technology applications, fostering cross-sector exchange and collaboration. Exhibitors and buyers could continue business negotiations through the Click2Match smart business matching platform until October 23 under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model.