The search for practical, outcome driven technology is rising across Southeast Asia. Cities are dealing with familiar pressures: buildings that need constant upkeep, rising energy use and the daily work of keeping people safe. Many teams on the ground look for solutions that make their jobs easier and deliver tangible benefits, whether that means fewer maintenance cycles, lower electricity bills, or safer inspection work. Especially in demand are tools that fit into existing routines without creating extra complexity.

Hong Kong teams are stepping into this space with technologies now being piloted and deployed in Singapore, including airDefender, Aurabeat and C3 Construction Robotics. Their entry was supported by HKSTP that helps Hong Kong innovators meet the right regional partners and test their ideas where they matter most: in live working environments. It is a practical model for cross border collaboration, giving companies the context and access they need to prove their solutions while offering Southeast Asian markets a steady stream of technology built to solve everyday challenges.

airDefender’s approach to long lasting surface protection

airDefender enters the Singapore market with a focus on one of the country’s most persistent building challenges: fast returning algae and mould. In a warm and humid climate, façades, glass and solar panels often need repeated cleaning, which creates higher labour costs and lost efficiency. Its nanostructure coating aims to slow this regrowth and keep surfaces cleaner for longer, offering a practical way to reduce maintenance cycles without changing existing workflows.

The company discovered its current formula through years of experimentation, eventually developing a water based coating designed to break down organic matter on contact. In early trials, it has shown the ability to increase solar panel output by six to seven per cent compared with untreated panels. According to founder Albert Wong, small improvements at this scale can translate into meaningful savings. “That number is big when you’re talking about a solar farm,” he said, noting that performance gains compound significantly when applied across large arrays.

Also read: How a 60-second pitch is turning Hong Kong into a global startup gateway

In Singapore, their structured pilot with The GEAR by Kajima is testing how the coating performs on façades, glass and solar panels. The GEAR were interested in trialling a solution that could reduce frequent cleaning and offer clear commercial returns in a climate where algae grows quickly. As Beth Henderson, Lead for Startup Programmes, explained, “We see potential for the technology’s ability to improve solar panel energy generation and reduce cleaning and maintenance costs.”

Cutting energy use through acoustic air filtration with Aurabeat

Aurabeat tackles a challenge faced by large buildings across Southeast Asia: as traditional air filters become clogged, ventilation systems consume more power to maintain airflow. Using acoustic vibration technology, Aurabeat’s filters allow air to pass more easily, reducing energy use without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. Each site undergoes a six-hour test installation to measure potential savings before commitment, with results showing an average thirty percent reduction in energy consumption.

The technology has been deployed at flagship commercial buildings sites including Marina Bay Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay, CDL Headquarters (Republic Plaza Tower 1 & 2), and City Square Mall, contributing to more than SGD 10 million in orders within a year. “Most clients come to us for sustainability and energy reduction, but we also provide equal or better indoor air quality,” says CEO Phil Yuen.

Its growth in Singapore is supported by First Choice, its local engineering and distribution partner. The partnership, facilitated by HKSTP, was driven by clear economics. “We see the facts of a ROI that is less than 2 years and no change in OPEX costs,” First Choice explains. “We believe and are confident that this is the product to meet the ESG requirements in Singapore.”

The partnership has found particularly strong traction among clients pursuing Singapore’s Green Mark Certification requirements, with demand concentrated in commercial offices, educational institutions, and hospitality sectors. First Choice notes that building operators using traditional filtration systems were experiencing higher energy consumption costs compared to Aurabeat’s technology. “By offering a lower OPEX cost and achieving a lower electricity bill, clients will be keen to explore,” they observe, adding that required indoor air quality standards are maintained or improved.

Also read: Hong Kong startups set their sights on SEA and beyond at GITEX Asia

Improving façade inspection safety with C3 Construction Robotics

Through partnerships with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Operva AI and Fong Consult Pte Ltd, C3 Construction Robotics trialed its autonomous RoBosun-Tapper on building façades in Singapore to make close-range inspections safer, eliminating the need to put workers at dangerous heights. The initiative represents part of Singapore’s broader drive for greater technology adoption in the construction sector, with robotic solutions offering the additional advantage of consistent performance without the human errors that can affect inspection accuracy and reliability.

Façade inspections are a routine but high-risk part of building maintenance in Singapore, often requiring workers to be suspended at height to physically tap external façades using tapping rods to identify hollowness in the concrete. This technology was tested under a trial run in Singapore, if it is proved to match the needs of the Singapore construction market, it could potentially benefit approximately 70% of concrete or plaster buildings in Singapore through significant cost savings and productivity improvements. C3 Construction Robotics, the robot technology company originated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, developed and designed the RoBosun-Tapper to make close contact with the façade and replicate the hammer tapping needed to detect hollow or damaged areas. As founder Professor Darwin Lau explained, “During the pilot, the robot was operating on the façade of the building without any human intervention. That alone demonstrates the benefits for worker safety.”

BCA assessed that RoBosun-Tapper has the potential to enhance both safety and productivity for the 10% close-up inspections as required under BCA’s Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime. Singapore’s Commissioner of Building Control and Group Director for Building Resilience of BCA, Er. Thanabal Kaliannan noted, “Close-up inspection of building façades does come with some safety considerations as workers have to work from height. Once we knew C3 Construction Robotics had a potential solution, BCA was keen to bring relevant stakeholders together to test it.” 

Concurrently, Operva AI was also keen to partner with C3 Construction Robotics to trial the RoBosun-Tapper, and they collaborated with Competent Persons (CPs) from Fong Consult Pte Ltd in the local trial. Additionally, Fong Consult Pte Ltd assessed how the robot could fit into existing inspection frameworks. Their involvement included verifying the data captured and understanding how robotic tapping could support long-term adoption. Collectively, the parties trialed C3’s hammer tapping technology for building façade inspection, setting the foundation for further discussions on sandboxing and broader industry use. 

Chief Technology Officer of BCA, Mr. Jonathan Cheng said, “In Singapore, we are open to testing and validating new construction technologies (ConTech). We welcome collaborations and partnerships with HKSTP and like-minded industry partners to drive the deployment of innovative technologies within the Built Environment.” 

Also read: How Hong Kong drives foreign startup success, student engagement, and international collaboration

Supporting cross border collaboration in the built environment

Behind these three projects is a wider shift in how technology moves across the region. Many companies in Southeast Asia want to adopt new tools, but finding solutions that are both practical and ready for deployment can be difficult. Likewise, innovators often need access to real sites to understand local conditions and prove what their products can do. Bringing the two sides together requires a mix of timing, market knowledge and trusted industry networks.

HKSTP helped create this bridge by introducing Hong Kong companies to counterparts in Singapore and supporting the early steps needed to line up pilots. For the companies involved, this meant being able to meet the right teams, understand specific market requirements and demonstrate their solutions in live environments. For the industry, it shows how structured collaboration can shorten the path from idea to implementation, helping cities adopt technology that addresses everyday challenges in maintenance, energy use and safety.

HKSTP Catalysing Tomorrow’s Innovation

Taken together, these examples reflect a broader momentum building across Southeast Asia. The region’s cities are facing similar pressures, and they are increasingly open to technology that can deliver measurable improvements where it matters most: in daily operations. The progress made by airDefender, Aurabeat, and C3 Construction Robotics in Singapore suggests that practical, well tested solutions can find a clear path into the market when the right partners are involved. 

HKSTP is home to 2,600 tech companies from more than 25 countries and regions, employing over 25,000 professionals. They are not only lining up partnership, but also building a thriving innovation and technology ecosystem, an engine that turn good ideas to market-ready solutions that benefit the community.

HKSTP provides comprehensive support from funding, infrastructure, partnerships opportunities and mentorship to park companies to support them from startup to IPO.

“Go global” is another initiative of HKSTP to support startups to expand overseas. Since April 2024, over 200 park companies joined world-class international exhibitions in over 10 countries, including IBEW and GITEX Asia in Singapore, CES in Las Vegas, VIVATECH in Paris. This enablers is connecting startups with resources, markets and opportunities, helping innovators to scale internationally.

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The e27 team produced this article sponsored by HKSTP

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Featured Image Credit: HKSTP, THE GEAR by Kajima, Canva Images, K8 on Unsplash

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