Residents can expect less damage from landslides and floods thanks to a new monitoring system developed by a start-up that uses data collected by Hong Kong’s own satellites.
Established in 2023 with the support of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Stellerus Technology uses artificial intelligence to analyse satellite data and make predictions about the environment and potential disasters.
Prior to the company’s founding, such services used data derived from ground-based sensing systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, which have a very limited range. However, the launch of HKUST’s own satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launchpad in Gansu province in August 2023 has made critical environmental and geographic data readily available.
With the acquisition of this new data source, Stellerus’s proprietary system can report on a wide variety of incidents including landslides and floods, as well as analysing climate risks.
The company has worked with clients, such as the State Grid Corporation of China to analyse climate hazard risks. In addition, the company is developing a simulation platform – also known as “digital twin” – that can be used to predict and assess risks.
Outside of Hong Kong, Stellerus sees strong demand for environmental monitoring services across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and is exploring setting up R&D centres in GBA cities. Indonesia is also a focus for its intelligent climate monitoring services with several projects under discussion.
While the start-up’s technology is held in high regard across the sector, it lacks public profile and market awareness among business and government players, according to Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Jeffrey Xu.
This led Stellerus to enter the 2024 HKTDC Start-Up Express programme in which it was named one of the 10 winners for its ClimaTech solutions.
“Start-Up Express gave us an opportunity to introduce our technology to other start-ups and the judging panel. Through the competition, we came to know more about the start-up ecosystem in Hong Kong,” he said.
Under HKTDC’s guidance, Stellerus also took part in events, such as the Hong Kong-Jiangsu High-Quality Development Forum and the Belt and Road Summit, to understand R&D and market access policies for satellite technology, and explore business opportunities with potential clients.
In 2025, Indonesia and Central Asia will form the focus of the start-up’s outreach by participating in HKTDC’s Think Business Think Hong Kong campaign in Jakarta and making use of HKTDC’s branch network.
Looking ahead, Stellerus is working on improving its AI technology for processing and analysing satellite data. It is working with HKUST to develop a greenhouse gas observation payload to install on board the China Space Station, which will provide data that could help reduce the worst effects of climate change.
