Before handing over a newly-completed private residential unit to its owner, developers usually arrange for property management practitioners to inspect over 100 items in various aspects to ensure the unit meets their standards, and any defects identified are promptly rectified. To streamline this time-consuming and complex traditional inspection process, Dr Jimmy Li Chi-ho, Assistant Professor of the School of Science and Technology, formed a research team with his students and collaborated with Hong Yip Service Company Ltd (Hong Yip), a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, to develop an intelligent mixed reality (MR) building inspection system. The project secured a HK$2 million grant from the Research Grants Council. It not only enhances the inspection efficiency of property management practitioners, but also helps property management companies reduce training time and labour costs.
The system focuses on the five most common inspection aspects: wash basins, toilets, wall or floor tiles, aluminum windows and sliding doors, and glass shower doors. Using digital twin technology, it integrates and compares the physical environment with virtual drawings and wall structures. “When property management practitioners put on the MR glasses, they can gain real-time visualisation of the unit. The system highlights the inspection items in these five aspects and guides practitioners to identify potential defects through the 'visual,' 'touch,' and 'test' functions,” explains Dr Li. In building inspection training, instructors will assess property management practitioners' performance by cross-referencing their unit inspection reports against actual site conditions. It was found that the completion percentage for item checks has increased from the average of 75% to over 90%, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in improving accuracy and reducing the likelihood of oversight.
In addition to aiding with building inspection, the system transforms the traditional approach for building inspection training by featuring an interactive quiz function to assess property management practitioners' understanding of inspection standards. Previously, practitioners relied on physical handbooks and guidance from on-site engineers for related knowledge, sometimes leading to discrepancies in understanding. In view of this, the research team consolidated inspection standards for various aspects and simplified complex regulatory clauses into concise, easy-to-understand quizzes, enabling practitioners to self-train with the MR glasses, and significantly reducing both training time and manpower.
“When property management practitioners put on the MR glasses, they can gain real-time visualisation of the unit. The system highlights the inspection items in these five aspects and guides practitioners to identify potential defects through the 'visual,' 'touch,' and 'test' functions.”
Dr Li and the student team have showcased the project at various exhibitions and competitions, earning accolades such as a Gold Medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2025, a Platinum Award at the IFMA Inter-Institutional Competition on Best Facility Management Project Presentation 2024, and the Best Innovative Award at the IET Hong Kong — Young Professionals Exhibition & Competition 2024. Hailey Cheung Lok-yi (right photo, second left), a student from the research team, shares how the project broadened her horizons, “I used to think that the career prospects for studying Testing, Inspection, and Certification would be limited to working in laboratories. However, this project made me realise that many industries require relevant talents, and opportunities are not confined to a single workplace. It has truly inspired my future career development.”
This innovative system has been granted a short-term patent in Hong Kong and is already in use at residential buildings managed by Hong Yip, including Wetland Seasons Bay. Looking ahead, the University and Hong Yip plan to collaborate with public organisations to promote the system further. The University will also continue advancing intelligent technology for building inspection in partnership with the construction and property management sectors.
