Undergraduates’ AI-Driven Smart Glasses for Deaf Community Shine at Cyberport University Partnership Programme 2025

Two outstanding undergraduates from BSc in Business Computing and Data Analytics (BCDA) and BSc in Computer Science (CS) of the Department of Computer Science have been recognised at the prestigious Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) 2025. Their team, Sign Language Make Easy (SLME), secured HK$100,000 in seed funding from the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) for their innovative AI-driven FinTech project to enhance communication for the deaf community.

Partnering with a peer from HKBU’s BBA programme and mentored by Mr. Wilson Leung, Business Consultant of KR-Net Limited, the team developed innovative AI-driven smart glasses that enable real-time, accessible communication for the deaf community, fostering greater social inclusion. By leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence, their innovative solution addresses critical barriers to daily interaction, promoting social inclusion and delivering meaningful impact.

Throughout the programme, the team participated in rigorous local training and a rewarding entrepreneurship bootcamp at Draper University in Silicon Valley, where they received world-class mentorship. At CUPP Demo Day, their visionary project, technical prowess, and dedication earned them a spot among the top 10 teams awarded funds for prototype development.

Professor Jianliang Xu, Head of the Department of Computer Science, praised the team’s achievement: “Our students’ creativity and commitment to addressing real-world challenges through technology are truly inspiring. Their success at CUPP demonstrates not only their strong entrepreneurial spirit but also their dedication to social good. We are committed to nurturing such talent to make a meaningful impact.”

Launched in 2015, CUPP is a flagship initiative by Cyberport in partnership with 12 local universities, designed to cultivate young FinTech talent in Hong Kong. Through mentorship, intensive bootcamps, and real-world pitching opportunities, the Programme empowers students to turn innovative ideas into viable ventures.