Full Article in Chinese

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronic Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
• Co-Founder and CEO, AI GUIDED

Many people pursue a Ph.D. after starting their careers to advance professionally. For Dr Florence CHAN, who left her job at the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to return to her alma mater, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), for a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, this was once her goal too. However, during her second year of doctoral studies, she witnessed a visually impaired person struggling to navigate a mall with a white cane. This made her wonder: "If cars can drive themselves, why can’t people?" Determined to improve mobility for the visually impaired, she began developing assistive navigation technology. With support from CityUHK’s "HK Tech 300" innovation and entrepreneurship program, she co-founded AI GUIDED, a startup specializing in smart tactile navigation belts—embarking on an unconventional entrepreneurial journey.

"Getting married, pursuing a Ph.D., having a baby, and starting a business almost at the same stage—my younger sister asked me, ‘Big sis, why do you always choose the hardest path?’" Florence recalls that even her choice to study engineering in university was seen by her family, who valued professions like medicine and law, as "unconventional." Growing up in a working-class family, she often helped repair household appliances. Excelling in science and art, she was drawn to CityUHK’s unique integrated program in mechanical and electronic engineering.

Her decision proved wise. In her first year, she was nominated for a highly competitive overseas exchange scholarship (only four spots available) and secured full funding to conduct microelectronics research at a university in Scotland. There, she co-authored her first academic paper and later received CityUHK’s "Outstanding Student Award." Inspired by research, she joined HKPC after graduation. "Most colleagues held Ph.D. degrees, and when a CityUHK biomedical engineering professor proposed an innovative research project, I became a research assistant first before formally enrolling as a Ph.D. student." Transitioning from engineering to biomedical studies, her first challenge was culturing cells. "Another pregnant student and I often encouraged each other in the lab."

Unlike most university startups that develop technology first and then seek market fit, Florence took the opposite approach. Witnessing a blind person struggling with a cane in a mall while she was dining sparked her idea: "If navigation tech exists for cars, why not for people?" Seeing this glaring "nail," she couldn’t find a suitable "hammer" to address it—so she decided to forge one herself. She began developing a navigation device for the visually impaired, using AI vision to construct real-time 3D maps, compute optimal paths, detect obstacles, and guide users via vibration cues—avoiding auditory distractions.

"We chose a belt design based on feedback from the visually impaired. Compared to glasses or chest straps, a stylish, lightweight belt draws less attention." To ensure user-centric design, Florence actively incorporated feedback from visually impaired testers throughout development. "Helping them was our mission, and CityUHK’s strong support, especially through ‘HK Tech 300’, made it possible. Professor Jianping Wang, Dean of the College of Computing at CityUHK, endorsed our project as an advisor and provided research team support—empowering our startup to create social impact."

AI GUIDED’s smart navigation belt has since won multiple accolades, including the CES 2024 Innovation Award in Las Vegas, the Hong Kong ICT Award 2023 (Smart People - Gold Award), and the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund JUMPSTARTER 2023 Social Impact Award. Partnering with organizations to distribute trial units, Florence attributes her startup’s first-step success to timing, opportunity, and robust backing from Hong Kong Science Park and CityUHK. Looking ahead, she aims to refine the product for lighter wearability, enabling elderly users to adopt it easily. The next phase involves retail expansion to reach more visually impaired individuals, dismantling mobility barriers."Entrepreneurship is far from easy. I advise aspiring founders to gain work experience, build savings and networks first—then venture into startups to boost success odds."

（Published at 10 July 2025）