A team of five, including four undergraduates from the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD), has triumphed at the 8th Annual Cathay Hackathon, earning First Runner Up and the Best Presentation Award in the Student Track.

Evan CHAN Kei Ching, Saanvi Ravi KATYAYAN, Candbot CHAN Chuen Wai, Yash Mangesh RELEKAR from ISD, along with fellow HKUST student Harsh Chirag SHAH, presented an AI-powered mobile photo bot with smart queueing, crowd-aware navigation, and instant Polaroid-style prints synced to the Cathay app after an intensive 24-hour challenge.

Inspired by “Niki”, one of Cathay Pacific's first Douglas DC-3 aircraft, the team created a Polaroid-taking robot named “Niki Jr.” that passengers can book through the Cathay Pacific app. This innovative robot not only captures instant physical photos but also engages interactively with travelers, enhancing their experience. By integrating robotics, AI, and human-machine interaction, Niki Jr. provides enjoyable moments during wait times while showcasing Cathay’s commitment to blending its rich heritage with modern travel innovation.

These accolades exemplify the students' ability to integrate design skills and expertise across various engineering disciplines, cultivated through their BSc in Innovation, Design and Technology program.

The team will advance to the next stage through Cathay Innovate, where they will have the opportunity to access an innovation fund of up to HK$500,000 to bring their groundbreaking ideas to life.

Congratulations to the team, and wishing them continued success in the next stage!