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Liberaware and Hong Kong-based Alpha AI Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Partnership

Press Release

May 26, 2025

Liberaware and Hong Kong-based Alpha AI Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Partnership

– Combining Japanese drone technology with Hong Kong AI to address aging infrastructure –Chiba, Japan –


Liberaware Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Chiba City, CEO: Hongkyu Min, hereinafter “Liberaware”) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alpha AI Technology Limited (Headquarters: Hong Kong, CEO: Desmond Ho, hereinafter “Alpha AI”), a leading AI and drone startup in Hong Kong, on May 23, 2025. The MoU outlines a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at expanding Liberaware’s international operations and diversifying its revenue streams.


By combining Liberaware’s expertise in precision inspections in confined indoor spaces with Alpha AI’s AI-powered infrastructure inspection technologies in outdoor environments, the two companies will jointly develop an integrated solution that enhances both the safety and efficiency of infrastructure maintenance. This collaboration also aims to create new business opportunities in the Hong Kong market while building a cooperative framework for future expansion across Asia.




◆Background of the Partnership


Hong Kong is facing a serious social issue related to the aging of buildings. According to statistics from the Hong Kong SAR Government, approximately 9,100 of the city’s 50,000 buildings are over 50 years old—a number expected to increase to 14,000 by 2030. To address this issue, the government has implemented the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, which requires inspections of buildings older than 30 years. 


Additionally, in 2024, the Hong Kong Government began promoting the concept of a “Low-Altitude Economy,” which refers to new economic activities conducted in low-altitude urban airspace, such as drone-based transportation, surveillance, and infrastructure inspection. These initiatives aim to improve the efficiency and safety of urban operations.


Hong Kong is also home to world-class research in drone and AI technologies, particularly at institutions such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Government-supported accelerators like Cyberport and Science Park are actively facilitating the commercialization of academic research and promoting industry-academia collaboration.


Against this backdrop, Alpha AI has built strong partnerships with the Hong Kong government and offers drone-based exterior inspection services using proprietary AI technology. The company has been selected as a participant in Hong Kong’s “Low-Altitude Economy Sandbox”, utilising locally developed AI and 3D technology for building/infrastructure maintenance checks, sloping defect identification, and security patrols,and is recognized as a leading drone inspection company in the region.


◆Purpose of the Partnership

Liberaware has extensive expertise in the development, manufacturing, and sales of its confined-space inspection drone, “IBIS2,” as well as in digital twin technologies and other related solutions. In Japan, it has built a strong track record in complex environments, such as the interior of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and station ceilings, and was awarded the Infrastructure DX Grand Prize by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2023.


This partnership will integrate Liberaware’s proven indoor inspection technologies with Alpha AI’s outdoor infrastructure inspection solutions to create a comprehensive infrastructure maintenance service capable of managing both interior and exterior environments. The goal is to improve safety and maintenance efficiency for Hong Kong’s infrastructure.


◆Key Areas of Collaboration

The MoU outlines the following joint initiatives:


- Exploration of Business Opportunities in Japan and Hong Kong:  By leveraging both companies’ sales and technical networks, the partners will jointly explore participation in infrastructure maintenance projects led by the Hong Kong government, propose collaborative projects, and conduct joint proof-of-concept studies and field testing.


- Joint Development of Integrated Indoor-Outdoor Infrastructure Inspection Solutions Using IBIS2:  The two companies will promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive service that integrates Alpha AI’s inspection capabilities with Liberaware’s IBIS2 for confined indoor spaces.


- Human Resource Development and Technical Personnel Exchange Programs:  The companies will implement joint training programs and explore personnel exchange opportunities. They will also seek to recruit talent from Hong Kong’s world-class universities to apply Alpha AI’s AI analysis technologies to Liberaware’s indoor inspection data to generate new value.



(Photo: Alpha AI CEO Desmond Ho, second from left, explains the Japanese-made IBIS2 drone to Chief Executive John Lee at the launch event for the Low-Altitude Economy Sandbox in Hong Kong on March 21, 2025. IBIS2 was the only Japanese drone featured at the event.)



◆Future Outlook

Under the MoU, the two companies will jointly conduct drone-based inspection trials for both indoor and outdoor environments in Hong Kong. The data collected will be used to construct 3D models for visualizing the condition of infrastructure, incorporating AI-based automated damage detection and anomaly identification. These solutions will be offered as part of an integrated digital twin platform, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of infrastructure management.


The partners also plan to carry out inspections of public facilities and aim to have their solution adopted as a standard in the government’s mandatory inspection frameworks. In the short term, they will create success cases in Hong Kong and, in the medium to long term, expand their solutions to other regions in Asia, including Japan. Through talent development and technical collaboration, they aim to contribute to the creation of a sustainable, cross-regional infrastructure management model.


It is anticipated to contribute to long-term performance improvements for both companies through technical synergies and market expansion.


◆About Alpha AI Technology Limited

Alpha AI Technology Limited is a startup dedicated to transforming traditional industries through AI. Its mission is to deliver efficient, accurate, and reliable inspection solutions that contribute to safer, higher-quality urban environments. The company offers automated inspection services using drones equipped with AI-based analysis, and has been selected for Hong Kong’s Low-Altitude Economy pilot projects. Alpha AI collaborates with leading institutions such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and accelerators like Cyberport.


CEO and Co-Founder Desmond Ho studied urban planning at the University of Cambridge and was named “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia – Entrepreneur” in 2020. He is a recognized young leader in the technology sector and frequently speaks at major events in Hong Kong.



Company Name: Alpha AI Technology Limited

CEO: Desmond Ho

Address: WS03 (LK703), 7-8/F Smart-Space Proptech, No.5 Lok Yip Road, Fanling, NT, Hong Kong

Established: June 21, 2021


Business Overview:

- AI Drone Services: Automated building and infrastructure inspection using AI and computer vision


- Image Analysis Platform: Cloud-based services for analyzing image and video data for infrastructure maintenance


- Custom Solutions: Development of AI and drone solutions tailored to enterprise and government needs


Contact

  Phone: +852 9460 5454



◆About Liberaware Co., Ltd.

Liberaware’s mission is to create a safer society for all by developing ultra-compact drones specialized for inspections in “narrow, dark, and hazardous” indoor spaces. The company provides infrastructure inspection and maintenance solutions by collecting and analyzing image data captured by its proprietary drones. Its vision is to “make invisible risks visible” to ensure a safe and peaceful society.



Company Name: Liberaware Co., Ltd.

CEO: Hongkyu Min

Address: 3-3-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Established: August 22, 2016


Business Overview:


- Drone Business: Infrastructure and plant inspections, surveys, and sales/rental of drones, including IBIS


- Digital Twin Business: Processing and visualization of imagery and 3D data for infrastructure diagnostics


- Solution Development: Contract development of hardware/software solutions based on proprietary technology




Contact

Public Relations, Liberaware Co., Ltd.

Phone: 090-9019-9057 / 043-497-5740


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新聞發布 

2025年5月26日

日本Liberaware與香港Alpha AI簽署戰略合作備忘錄

  • 結合日本無人機技術與香港人工智能技術，應對老化基礎設施問題

日本千葉 - Liberaware有限公司（總部：日本千葉市中央區，首席執行官：閔洪圭，以下簡稱「Liberaware」）欣然宣布，於2025年5月23日與香港領先的人工智能及無人機初創企業Alpha AI Technology Limited（總部：香港，首席執行官：何進一，以下簡稱「Alpha AI」）簽署了戰略合作備忘錄（MoU）。該備忘錄概述了一項全面的戰略合作，旨在擴展Liberaware的國際業務並多元化其收入來源。

通過結合Liberaware在室內狹窄空間精密檢查的專業技術與Alpha AI在室外環境中基於人工智能的基礎設施檢查技術，兩家公司將共同開發一種整合解決方案，提升基礎設施維護的安全性和效率。此合作還旨在香港市場開拓新業務機會，並為未來在亞洲的擴展建立合作框架。


 



合作背景

香港正面臨建築物老化的嚴重社會問題。根據香港特別行政區政府的統計數據，全市50,000棟建築物中約有9,100棟超過50年樓齡，預計到2030年這一數字將增至14,000棟。為應對此問題，政府實施了強制驗樓計劃，規定樓齡超過30年的建築物需進行檢查。

此外，香港政府於2024年開始推廣「低空經濟」概念，指在城市低空空域開展的新經濟活動，如無人機運輸、監控及基礎設施檢查，旨在提升城市運營的效率與安全性。

香港擁有世界級的無人機及人工智能技術研究，特別是在香港科技大學等機構。政府支持的加速器如數碼港及科學園積極促進學術研究的商業化及產學合作。

在此背景下，Alpha AI與香港政府建立了穩固的合作關係，提供基於專有人工智能技術的無人機室外檢查服務。公司入選香港「低空經濟沙盒計劃」，利用本地開發的人工智能及3D技術進行建築/基礎設施維護檢查、斜坡缺陷識別及保安巡邏，被公認為該地區領先的無人機檢查公司。

 

合作目的

Liberaware在開發、製造及銷售其狹窄空間檢查無人機「IBIS2」以及數碼雙生技術等方面擁有豐富專業知識。在日本，其在複雜環境（如福島第一核電站內部及車站天花板）的檢查實績斐然，並於2023年獲得日本國土交通省頒發的基礎設施數碼轉型大獎。

此合作將整合Liberaware的室內檢查技術與Alpha AI的室外基礎設施檢查解決方案，打造涵蓋室內外環境的全面基礎設施維護服務，旨在提升香港基礎設施的安全性及維護效率。


主要合作領域

備忘錄概述了以下聯合計劃：

  1. 探索日本及香港的商業機會： 

    • 利用雙方的銷售及技術網絡，共同參與香港政府主導的基礎設施維護項目，提出合作項目，並進行聯合概念驗證研究及現場測試。

  2. 使用IBIS2開發室內外整合基礎設施檢查解決方案： 

    • 兩家公司將推動開發及實施整合Alpha AI檢查能力與Liberaware IBIS2的全面服務，適用於狹窄室內空間。

  3. 人力資源發展及技術人員交流計劃： 

    • 實施聯合培訓計劃並探索人員交流機會。

    • 從香港世界級大學招聘人才，將Alpha AI的人工智能分析技術應用於Liberaware的室內檢查數據，創造新價值。




（照片：Alpha AI首席執行官何進一（左二）於2025年3月21日香港低空經濟沙盒計劃啟動活動中向行政長官李家超介紹日本製造的IBIS2無人機。IBIS2是活動中唯一展示的日本無人機。）



未來展望

根據備忘錄，兩家公司將在香港聯合進行室內外環境的無人機檢查試驗。收集的數據將用於構建3D模型，以視覺化基礎設施狀況，結合基於人工智能的自動損壞檢測及異常識別。這些解決方案將作為整合數碼雙生平台的一部分，提供更高效及精準的基礎設施管理。

合作夥伴計劃檢查公共設施，目標是將其解決方案納入政府強制檢查框架的標準。短期內，他們將在香港創建成功案例；中長期內，將解決方案擴展至亞洲其他地區，包括日本。通過人才培養及技術合作，雙方旨在建立可持續的跨區域基礎設施管理模式。

預計通過技術協同及市場擴展，為兩家公司帶來長期業績提升。


關於Alpha AI Technology Limited

Alpha AI Technology Limited是一家致力於通過人工智能轉型傳統行業的初創企業。其使命是提供高效、精準及可靠的檢查解決方案，打造更安全、更高質量的城市環境。公司使用配備人工智能分析的無人機提供自動檢查服務，並入選香港低空經濟試驗項目。Alpha AI與香港科技大學等領先機構及數碼港等加速器合作。

首席執行官兼聯合創始人何進一於劍橋大學修讀城市規劃，2020年獲選為《福布斯亞洲30歲以下創業家》。他被公認為科技界的年輕領袖，經常在香港主要活動中發表演說。

  • 公司名稱：Alpha AI Technology Limited

  • 首席執行官：何進一

  • 地址：香港新界粉嶺樂業路5號Smart-Space Proptech 7-8樓WS03 (LK703)

  • 成立日期：2021年6月21日

  • 業務概覽： 

    • 人工智能無人機服務：利用人工智能及計算機視覺進行自動建築及基礎設施檢查

    • 圖像分析平台：基於雲端的圖像及視頻數據分析服務，適用於基礎設施維護

    • 定制解決方案：為企業及政府開發定制的人工智能及無人機解決方案

  • 網站：https://www.alphaiauto.com


 

關於Liberaware有限公司

Liberaware的使命是通過開發專為「狹窄、黑暗及危險」室內空間檢查的超小型無人機，創造更安全的社會。公司通過收集及分析其專有無人機捕獲的圖像數據，提供基礎設施檢查及維護解決方案。其願景是「讓隱形風險可見」，確保安全及和平的社會。

  • 公司名稱：Liberaware有限公司

  • 首席執行官：閔洪圭

  • 地址：日本千葉縣千葉市中央區中央3-3-1

  • 成立日期：2016年8月22日

  • 業務概覽： 

    • 無人機業務：基礎設施及工廠檢查、測量，以及IBIS無人機的銷售/租賃

    • 數碼雙生業務：處理及視覺化圖像及3D數據，進行基礎設施診斷

    • 解決方案開發：基於專有技術的硬軟件解決方案合同開發

  • 網站：https://liberaware.co.jp

聯繫方式

Liberaware有限公司公共關係部

 

 
 
 

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