In a recent episode of CNN’s Tech for Good, Class of 2025 UG graduates from the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) — Jimmy WU Chun Ming, Garmisch WONG Lai Yin, and Hardy FAN Tsz Ho — were spotlighted for their innovation, AeroRelief, a cutting-edge emergency delivery drone system designed to provide vital medical aid to people in remote areas.

AeroRelief is powered by an advanced AI-driven dispatch platform along with an SMS-based locating system, enabling it to analyze emergency calls, recommend essential equipment, and deliver supplies swiftly from the sky. This innovative solution addresses a pressing need, ensuring that essential life-sustaining supplies reach individuals before first responders arrive.

Jimmy, the team leader who is currently pursuing MPhil in Computer Science at HKUST, shared the unique feature of the project, “The critical part of AeroRelief lies in automating the process of delivering time-critical resources to victims in need.”

Garmisch, who manages the hardware development of the project and is currently pursuing PhD in ISD, emphasized their human-centric approach. He remarked, “The most challenging part is to design something that works for humans, not robots and machines. Our users must be able to access the materials inside within five seconds of seeing the box, because every second counts in an emergency.”

This award-winning project was initiated by Jimmy, Garmisch, Hardy and two other ISD classmates during their final year cornerstone project at ISD’s UG program, now known as BSc in Innovation, Design and Technology (IDT), under the supervision and guidance of Prof. LI Mo, Prof. TSUI Chi Ying, and Dr. Jac LEUNG.

IDT curriculum emphasizes technical skills, design thinking, and a human-centric mindset through learning-by-doing, equipping students to turn creative ideas into impactful solutions. By fostering an environment that encourages experimentation and practical problem-solving, IDT successfully cultivates innovators who are ready to tackle real-world challenges with an interdisciplinary approach.

Watch the program here: CNN Tech for Good – This drone could one day help save lives in remote areas

Learn more about BSc in Innovation, Design and Technology (JUPAS code: JS5711): https://isd.hkust.edu.hk/academics/bsc-in-innovation-design-and-technology-idt/