IOT Data Hackathon 2025, Sparkling Innovation through Real-World Data, Technology and Cross-Sector Collaboration

HONG KONG, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Organised by GS1 Hong Kong, co-organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and supported by the Digital Policy Office, the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 successfully concluded its final competition on 22-23 March 2025.

Themed "Smart Business" and "Smart Living", the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 brought together enterprises, tech talent, and academic elites to tackle real-world business challenges through cross-sector collaboration and data-driven innovation. This year's Hackathon garnered even greater enthusiasm than last year, attracting over 90 teams from local tertiary institutions, start-ups, and business sectors. After a rigorous screening process, 24 outstanding teams advanced to the final round, competing head-to-head on 23 March, the Final Pitch Day. 

Key Highlights

1. Fostering a Cross-Sector Ecosystem, Cultivating Talent through Practical Experience
A standout feature of the IOT Data Hackathon was its success in driving cross-sector collaboration. Six leading corporations — including Airport Authority Hong Kong, AS Watson Industries, CUHK Medical Centre, HKT, Maxim's Caterers, and Swire Coca-Cola — provided real life business challenges and relevant datasets. Tech partners, Alibaba Cloud, AWS and Esri China (Hong Kong), offered technology platforms, tools and application support, enabling participating teams to develop commercially viable and innovative solutions by leveraging the provided datasets, open data and advanced technologies. 

2. Judges Applaud Data-Driven Innovation 
A panel of 12 distinguished judges highly praised the participants for their exceptional performance, highlighting their ability to combine data and technology while aligning with ESG trends. The judges emphasised the Hackathon's role in unlocking the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making. The panel looks forward to the continued promotion of such collaborative models, which not only accelerate the growth of Hong Kong's tech ecosystem, but also cultivate a new generation of talent to meet future opportunities and challenges.

3. Comprehensive Pre-hackathon Training with Top-tier Resource Support
To equip participants with practical skills, the organiser hosted 7 professional training workshops from Jan to Mar, covering hot topics such as IoT technology, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, data standards, cybersecurity, design thinking, data storytelling, pitching skills, and ESG strategies, etc. Additionally, GS1 HK invited 24 expert mentors from various fields to guide the participating teams, while Check Point Software Technologies provided one-on-one consultations to help teams integrate robust cybersecurity measures and data protection into their solutions.

The Data-driven Era: Cultivating Future Tech Talent

As artificial intelligence and data analytics become increasingly integral to businesses, mastering data application skills has become a critical asset for future talent. This Hackathon provided participants with an invaluable platform for practical experience and learning, stimulating creativity through competition and fostering a deeper connection between data-driven thinking and business needs. The participating teams demonstrated remarkable prowess in data integration and innovative thinking, and proposed diverse solutions to real corporate challenges. 

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 HK, emphasised: "IoT data is the cornerstone of a smart economy. By connecting young talent directly with industry pain points, this Hackathon fuels Hong Kong's digital transformation and drives momentum for the city's innovation journey." 

Award Ceremony: Winners to be Announced at the InnoEX 2025 

The award ceremony will take place on April 13, 2025, at InnoEX 2025, where the winning teams and their innovative solutions will be unveiled. All sectors are invited to witness this celebration of data, technology, and creativity! 

Award Ceremony Details:

For more information about the IOT Data Hackathon 2025, please visit www.gs1hk.org/iotdatahackathon.

About GS1 Hong Kong

Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) is the local chapter of GS1^®, a not-for-profit, global organisation that brings industry stakeholders together to develop standards-based solutions to address the challenges of data exchange. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1^® has more than 115 national chapters serving 150 economies globally.

GS1 HK aims to empower industry's digital transformation by enabling businesses to improve efficiency, safety, authenticity and sustainability through platforms, solutions and services based on our global standards. GS1 HK is dedicated to building a collaborative IoT ecosystem in Hong Kong to promote the development of ICT, serving as a bridge between ICT solution providers, users, government and other stakeholders, realising the community's vision to become a smart city.

GS1 HK currently supports over 8,000 corporate members from various sectors including retail & consumer packaged goods, healthcare, food & beverage and food services, apparel & footwear, transport & logistics, among others.

For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org

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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

IOT Data Hackathon 2025, Sparkling Innovation through Real-World Data, Technology and Cross-Sector Collaboration

Larger-size cylindrical batteries produced for use in micro mobility and to be expanded for electric vehicles

Product portfolio diversified with 46-series addition, enabling the company to take market leadership

SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung SDI today announced the company has embarked on production of 46-series cylindrical batteries with a diameter of 46 millimeters, known as the next generation of cylindrical batteries.

Samsung SDI has become the first Korean battery maker to start supplying 46-series batteries for overseas customers and plans to expand its customer base with this announcement.

The company said it recently commemorated the first shipment of 4695 battery modules at its Vietnam subsidiary.

4695 batteries, mearsuring 46 millimeters in diameter and 95 millimeters in height, are produced at Samsung SDI's plant in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province of South Korea, and assembled into modules at the Vietnam subsidiary. The modules will be initially supplied for an American customer for use in micro mobility applications.

Samsung SDI highlights the company has begun production of the next-generation products more than a year earlier than planned, owing to its differentiated manufacturing competitiveness, technological edge and quality management.

Samsung SDI's 46-series batteries feature high-nickel NCA (Nickel, Cobalt and Aluminum) cathode and proprietary SCN (Silicon Carbon Nanocomposite) anode.

With the cutting-edge chemistry, the company has heightened both energy density and lifespan of the cylindrical products, while preventing the batteries from swelling as part of strengthening safety.

Samsung SDI has also adopted a tabless design for the 46-series, where the electrodes are connected directly to the current collectors without the need for traditional tabs. This has improved the current flow path and reduced internal resistance by 90 percent, providing higher outage.

In addition, 46-series batteries are about six times larger in energy capacity than predecessor 21700 batteries with a diameter of 21 millimeters and a height of 79 millimeters, enabling customers to use fewer cells for the same capacity.

Samsung SDI unveiled its 46-series lineup, consisting of four sizes (4680, 4695, 46100 and 46120) at InterBattery 2025, the largest trade show held in Korea, earlier this month. It has announced the company will commence mass production within the first quarter of this year.

The company is currently in talks with major electric vehicle manufacturers for supplies of 46-series batteries. With the start of the 4695 production, the company expects to supply for EV makers in the near future.

According to market researcher SNE Research, the global market for 46-series cylindrical batteries is forecast to grow from 155GWh this year to 650GWh in 2030 by an annual growth rate of 33 percent.

"With the initial supply of 46-series batteries, the company has diversified its product portfolio," an official at Samsung SDI said. "The company will continue efforts to take the lead in the 46-series market with differentiated manufacturing technology and quality."

About Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI, headquartered in the Republic of Korea, is a world-leading battery and electronic material manufacturer redefining the worlds of electric vehicles, energy storage systems and IT devices. The company drives transformation and innovation to emerge as a leader across the fields of e-mobility, energy solutions, as well as semiconductors and displays. The company commits to sourcing 100% renewable electricity across its entire global operations by 2050. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung SDI News at https://www.samsungsdi.com/sdi-news/list.html.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Samsung SDI Begins Production of 46-Series Cylindrical Batteries and Initial Supply for U.S. Customer