[Hong Kong] Hong Kong is often said to lack innovation-and-technology talent, yet local scientist Mark Mak (麦骞誉) has developed more than 20 medical- and education-focused robots and holds over 100 patents—achievements that earned him a place among this year’s “Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Hong Kong.” In a recent interview on TVB’s lifestyle show Dolce Vita, Mak traced his journey from childhood dreams to a thriving tech career and shared his hopes for the city’s I&T development.
Planting the “Robot-Hero Dream”
Mak recalls that, growing up in a modest household, television cartoons were his main form of entertainment—especially series featuring giant robots. Those shows sparked a dream of “saving the world with robots.” Realizing he needed practical skills to pursue that goal, he chose to study electronic engineering at university, laying the groundwork for a future in robotics and eventually founding his own company.
Breaking Through Local Constraints—Insisting on R&D in Hong Kong
Mak faced numerous hurdles in his early start-up days: an immature innovation ecosystem, long investment cycles, and sky-high rents for workshop space. Friends even asked why he didn’t become a banker or lawyer instead. “Hong Kong is my home,” he says, “and I want the seeds of technology to sprout here.” Staying true to that conviction, his team has delivered multiple breakthroughs—most notably an ICU robot deployed during COVID-19 that lets clinicians adjust ventilators remotely and safely.
Signature Work: China’s First 5G Bionic Robot
Mak’s proudest achievement is China’s first 5G bionic robot, created in collaboration with a Beijing laboratory. Demonstrations have since been held across “Belt and Road” countries—such as Uganda and South Africa—where operators in Beijing controlled the robot live on site, showcasing Hong Kong’s technological prowess.
A Call for Young People to Join the I&T Arena
Looking ahead, Mak hopes to foster a “tech-ecosystem mindset” in Hong Kong, drawing more young people into innovation and technology. His next focus is deeper human-robot collaboration, gathering ideas from diverse fields to build even smarter machines. “If you persevere,” he tells the public, “Hong Kongers can absolutely shine on the global tech stage!”
【Source】TVB《Big City Shop》Interview Cut is uploaded to the official site。