Towngas, 3 others ink deal to innovate smart gas applications

It aims to enhance Hong Kong’s meter reading efficiency and data security.

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas), China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), Shanghai StarFive Semiconductor (StarFive), and Xinsheng Technology (Xinsheng) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore innovative technologies in smart gas equipment applications.

This will include collaboration on the Internet of Things (IoT), Chinese-developed RISC-V chips, and information security technologies.

Under the MoU, Towngas will incorporate the ‘TGSE CHIP’  into its smart gas meters. Combined with Xinsheng’s 4G module and CMHK’s 4G network, it aims to enhance Hong Kong’s meter reading efficiency and data security.

Since its launch in November 2022, mainland sales of the TGSE CHIP have exceeded 3.85 million units by the end of 2024.

Ling Hao, chairman of CMHK, highlighted that the collaboration integrates IoT SIM cards, communication chips, and modules, the OneNET IoT device management platform, and information security technologies.

Further, as China’s leader in RISC-V technology, StarFive provides RISC-V hardware foundations for the TGSE CHIP and is working with partners to build smarter, more secure, and cost-effective smart gas solutions.

As for Xinsheng, the company said it focused on developing an advanced RISC-V architecture communication chip ‘CM8610’. The chip combines high performance, low power consumption, and strong connectivity, meeting gas meter requirements.