Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. (OPPO) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have renewed their strategic collaboration, taking their joint commitment to AI imaging technology to the next level. At a recent ceremony on 1 November at PolyU, both organisations formalised this partnership, originally established in 2022, by launching the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Research Centre”. The centre is set to enhance AI imaging innovation and deepen integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Substantial funding to drive research and develop talent
With this renewal, OPPO has pledged an investment of at least RMB 30 million (approximately US$4.2 million) over the next five years. The funding will support expanded research efforts, co-training more PhD and postdoctoral researchers, and driving advancements in AI-powered imaging algorithms. Jason Liao, President of the OPPO Research Institute, shared his excitement for this expanded partnership, stating, “In the three years of collaboration between OPPO and PolyU, we have witnessed significant technological breakthroughs and notable achievements in talent cultivation through the Joint Lab. Adhering to our mission of ‘Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World,’ OPPO is dedicated to deepening the integration of academia-industry cooperation in the field of AI through this renewal, bringing more innovative intelligent imaging experiences to global users.”
At the ceremony, the agreement was signed by Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Zheng Qin, Head of Industry-Academia Affairs at OPPO. Also present were Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, and Jason Liao.
As part of PolyU’s strategy for innovation, the university will establish a new Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This faculty will include the Department of Computing, which hosts the new Joint Innovation Research Centre, to boost collaborative efforts and foster impactful outcomes. Professor Teng noted, “The new structure will effectively promote in-depth exchanges and collaboration among research teams, and create more impactful outcomes. We believe that this in-depth cooperation with OPPO will enable us to fully seize opportunities and actively promote technological innovation and knowledge transfer.”
Advancements in AI imaging technology
Since the PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab was launched in 2022, it has achieved notable breakthroughs in the field of AI imaging. Among its key developments are advanced imaging algorithms that have enhanced the quality of OPPO’s telephoto photography through AI super-resolution technology. This technology, now deployed in several OPPO devices, improves clarity, particularly for long-distance shots. The lab has also developed HDR imaging algorithms, enabling users to capture high-quality photos across various lighting conditions, enhancing their overall photography experience.
Further achievements include explorations into cutting-edge imaging technologies such as image restoration and detail enhancement using generative models, as well as interactive image and video editing. These advancements have improved the quality and stability of image generation, providing users with more possibilities for post-processing.
The lab’s achievements extend to talent development, nurturing numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers who now play vital roles in OPPO’s AI imaging initiatives. This growing team is a strong force behind OPPO’s continuous innovation in imaging technology.
Looking to the future of AI imaging
With this renewed partnership, OPPO and PolyU aim to push AI imaging technology further, supporting technological innovation and talent development across the GBA region. Both organisations will continue to explore new applications of AI imaging technology, strengthening their academia-industry partnership. This aligns with OPPO’s commitment to technological progress and PolyU’s mission to tackle the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.
The collaboration sets a solid foundation for future advancements in AI imaging, encouraging deeper academia-industry ties and fostering innovative solutions that benefit users worldwide.