Workers cleaning water tanks at three public-housing estates can now operate a robot remotely instead of being lowered into the confined spaces. Developed by the Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics, the Housing Bureau began testing the machine in May at Mun Tung Estate, Hoi Ying Estate and Lai Yiu Estate.
Operators use a remote control while watching live images from a camera placed at the tank opening. The amphibious robot can enter a tank even when it is full of water, and its system can use artificial intelligence to analyse dirt.
A Housing Bureau test video showed that the old method required at least three to four workers, while operating the robot required no more than two. Housing Secretary Winnie Ho tried the controls during an inspection at Lai Yiu Estate earlier this month and described the machine as “easy to use”.
The Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics plans to continue improving the robot and is aiming for mass production during 2026. Ho said she hoped it could eventually be used across public-housing estates and in other buildings with similar tank-cleaning needs.