Electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and emerging mobility models are no longer visions of the future—they are already reshaping Hong Kong’s urban landscape. The government’s Transport Strategy Blueprint, released in February 2026, underscores the role of technology in advancing smart mobility, autonomous driving, and digital transport management, while highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks to evolve alongside innovation.
Newton Ng, a CUHK alumnus with three decades of experience in the transport sector, has held roles at the MTR and franchised bus companies. This year, he joined Kwoon Chung Group, Hong Kong’s largest coach operator, as Business Development Director of KC Smart Mobility. His mandate: to translate mobility technologies into real-world operations. In this issue of CUbicZine, Newton Ng shares his insights on how Hong Kong can catch up in this new race—and how closer collaboration between academia and industry can unlock fresh opportunities.
Autonomous driving is defined across different levels based on capabilities and degree of automation. According to Newton, elements of smart mobility have already taken root in Hong Kong over the past decade. Real-time bus arrival information and cross-platform data sharing have quietly enhanced fleet management, scheduling and route optimisation. Level 2 systems (driver assistance) are now widely deployed, enabling continuous monitoring of following distance and lane position, while providing active reminders to support drivers.
As for Level 4 fully autonomous driving, more than 60 autonomous vehicles are currently operating across various pilot sites in Hong Kong. Newton noted that passenger-carrying minibuses are set to hit the roads later this year. Hong Kong is moving beyond the showcase phase and into the “1‑to‑N” stage, paving the way for large-scale deployment. Meanwhile, new mobility models such as ride-hailing, carpooling, and on-demand services have already become the norm both in Mainland and globally. Looking ahead, Hong Kong may draw on these models to reshape and redefine its transport services.
“Smart Mobility” Is No Buzzword: The Industry Eager for Change
The pace of transformation in transport has been striking, and Newton says the industry is genuinely excited. “The bus industry remains heavily reliant on manpower, and we hope autonomous driving can offer a potential solution to these pain points.” Take Kwoon Chung as an example. With a 60-year legacy, a fleet of over 1,000 buses and close to 500 limousines, the company faces the same challenges as the rest of the industry—driver shortages, an ageing workforce, and constrained growth. Labour accounts for roughly half of operating costs. The urgent need for change is clear.
A turning point came in 2024, when the Airport Authority launched Hong Kong’s first public transport project featuring autonomous vehicles with passengers on board. After securing the contract, Kwoon Chung went on to establish a smart mobility arm, expanding into autonomous buses, robo-taxis, and even eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) applications. “Bringing cutting-edge technologies into Hong Kong not only benefits ourselves, but also the wider industry,” Newton says. On the Mainland, autonomous mobility has already extended from the ground to the skies.
“What struck me most after the pandemic is the rapid acceleration of autonomous driving adoption on the Mainland. To be frank, Hong Kong is playing catch-up.” In recent years, the government has stepped up efforts to promote smart transport infrastructure, including the establishment of a Smart Traffic Fund. Yet regulation has often lags behind reality. For instance, autonomous minibuses are still required to carry onboard safety operators—and even if this requirement is lifted in the future, one-to-one remote monitoring would still be mandated. In some Mainland cities, by contrast, a single operator can oversee as many as ten vehicles.
“For the industry, this has never been about reducing headcount.” To move from “1 to N” and achieve scale, Newton argues that approval and regulatory processes need to be streamlined, alongside stronger commercial incentives to support adoption.
Hong Kong as an Experimental Gateway for Global Expansion
Another defining trend is the growing interest of Mainland autonomous driving companies in Hong Kong as a gateway to international markets. “As technology providers, they hope to enter the global market quickly. Hong Kong follows right-hand drive standards, and its traffic rules differ from those on the Mainland, making it an ideal springboard for going global,” Newton noted. Successfully implementing projects here can serve as powerful international case studies. Kwoon Chung has already forged partnerships with leading Mainland autonomous driving firms such as WeRide and EHang Intelligent. “When Mainland solutions enter Hong Kong, they rely heavily on local operators to assist with localisation, enabling the technology to be implemented here.” Newton explains.
Localisation, however, goes far beyond technical integration. It involves working through regulatory requirements, translating documentation, and adapting to local driving habits and road conditions. Hong Kong’s unique traffic environment, such as the widespread use of roundabouts without traffic signals, and a road culture where pedestrians and vehicles often share priority— adds further complexity.
Local R&D’s Next Move: Smarter Product Variants
Newton has long been involved in technology commercialisation. Projects he contributed to receive both the Best Public Service Application Award and Best Public Service Application (Transformation) Gold Award at the 2013 Hong Kong ICT Awards. Yet he is candid about the constraints of operating in a city where nearly 90% of daily journeys rely on public transport. In such an environment, operators prioritise “reliability” above all else. Hardware and system platforms must perform without failure, leaving limited room for bold experimentation. Innovation, as a result, often takes the form of add-on features layered onto existing systems. “It’s similar to investing in startups,” he notes. “The industry understands that not every initiative will succeed.”
Through frequent engagement with local universities and research institutes, Newton has observed a recurring gap. While many academics are keen to bring their innovations to market, they often lack expertise in commercialisation. He understood that academic and commercial mindsets differ, and the key lies in continuous two-way communication, as well as connecting open-minded investors with operators. “In some cases, technology creates demand,” he says. “It’s not always necessary to wait for demand before creating new solutions.”
Looking ahead to fully unmanned operations, beyond securing venues, funding, and landlord support, the integration of technology and operations is the true key. Newton’s own background reflects this interdisciplinary approach. A CUHK graduate, he earned a BBA and an MSc in Information and Technology Management. This has enabled him to navigate both the technical and commercial dimensions of the industry—acting as a valuable bridge between solution providers and end users. “Seeing seasoned professionals engage with the local research community, I’m inspired to play a similar role,” he says.
Ultimately, he believes smart mobility represents not just a technological leap, but a shift in mindset. As innovation accelerates, the defining question is whether people, institutions, and systems can keep up. If Hong Kong’s research community and industry can translate ideas into real-world applications more effectively, they may yet chart a distinctive path forward.
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