Building a smart living environment for the public

InnoCell’s system innovations are integrated together via multi-level API implementation.

As a Smart System Provider, the role of the Chevalier (Network Solutions) is to create a smart living environment for the residents as well as effective facilities management for the property’s operator. 

Amongst its targets for this goal is InnoCell, located in Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks. The property provides a smart living and co-creation space for founders and employees of Parks’ companies, as well as visiting academics, scientists, and technology talents.

It also offers diversified communal and private living spaces, aiming to foster personalised experience and collaboration amongst its residents.

The scope of Chevalier’s services covered software to hardware implementation, including design and development of the mobile application, provision of hotel Property Management System, Admission System, Facial Recognition Access Control, CCTV, E-Payment Gateway, Home Automation, IoT integration, and ICT installation. 

Most of these systems do not work standalone, but are instead integrated together via multi-level API implementation to ensure that the project goals are achieved.

Starting from resident admission on the web, applicants will experience a seamless application and living-in process. The Admission System is programmed to be “intelligent” enough to score the applications according to predefined criteria. 

Further workflows, including e-payment settlement with the bank, room reservation in PMS, InnoCell Living APP account activation, self-served check-in, facial recognition access and lift control activation, home automation control and wifi activation, as well as E-wallet activation are also executed online in sequence. 

There is also minimal manual intervention involved, except approval steps by the HKSTP authority, enabling cost efficiency on the client side and convenience on the residents’ side.

Meanwhile, to ensure the convenience of residents, the InnoCell Living App was also designed. It has enriched functions for a smart living style. Daily usages include door lock opener, home automation control, housekeeping order, maintenance job request, IAQ and Smart Meter readings, and e-notification, amongst others.

It also highlights communal features such as booking a facility for a workgroup or social gathering and sending invitations to friends to attend the occasion, which can be done in the APP. 

After meeting the HKSTP team in early 2019, the company realised that their vision was not just to build a smart apartment, but also an end-to-end solution designed to enhance both residents’ experience and operational efficiency. This is enabled by numerous API integrations amongst systems, which is the most challenging part of the project.

After a half-year development and nursing period, Chevalier rolled out the system successfully in mid-2021. Residents enjoy living at InnoCell with keyless access, cashless payment, and more smart services in the InnoCell Living APP.

The capabilities of Chevalier for realising the enhancements made to a building and the solutions that can be incorporated into smart living were recognised by the Hong Kong Business Technology Excellence Awards, as they brought home the award in the Smart City - IT Services category.

The prestigious awards programme honours outstanding companies that have made exceptional contributions in the pursuit of technological innovation in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Business Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Hong Kong Business. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2023 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].