The renewed collaboration between OPPO and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) underscores their shared commitment to pioneering AI imaging innovations. With the expanded “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Research Centre,” both organizations are set to deepen their academic and industry partnership, focusing on advanced imaging solutions and nurturing research talent within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Centre: A New Phase in AI Imaging
Building on their initial partnership established in 2022, OPPO and PolyU have redefined their goals by upgrading the Joint Innovation Lab to the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Research Centre.” This move marks a milestone in their efforts to expand AI imaging technology applications.
Over the next five years, OPPO will invest RMB 30 million into the center, enabling advancements in imaging algorithms and funding co-trained PhD and postdoctoral researchers. Such investments reflect OPPO’s mission.
“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,” said Jason LIAO, President of OPPO Research Institute. “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.”
Expanding Impact Through Research and Technology
The center will provide a platform for exploring advanced AI-driven imaging techniques, including super-resolution imaging and HDR algorithms, enhancing the visual quality of OPPO’s telephoto features.
With the development of HDR imaging algorithms, users can expect enriched photography capabilities, allowing for high-quality shots in varying lighting. Notably, this collaboration has also facilitated explorations into image restoration using generative models, an area that shows promise for improving visual detail and interactive editing.
PolyU is also making strides to support this initiative, including establishing a new Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences.
“To address the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, PolyU will officially establish the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This is an important move to implement the University’s innovation development strategy, aiming to meet growing technological needs and support talent nurturing, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, remarked. “The Department of Computing, which houses the Joint Innovation Research Centre will also join the new faculty. 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.”
This enhanced academic structure is poised to foster impactful collaboration across PolyU’s research teams.
Fostering Talent and Future Innovation
Beyond technical advancements, the collaboration has focused on cultivating future AI imaging experts. Since the partnership began, numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers have contributed to OPPO’s progress in imaging technology. By expanding training opportunities, OPPO and PolyU are driving talent development in AI fields, further supporting the GBA’s growing tech ecosystem.
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The reinforced OPPO-PolyU partnership signifies a strong commitment to leveraging AI imaging technologies and academic collaboration. As OPPO and PolyU continue to strengthen their cooperative efforts, the innovation center will play a pivotal role in advancing imaging technology and nurturing talent in the GBA. This alliance between industry and academia sets a powerful precedent, blending scientific expertise with practical applications to shape the future of AI imaging.
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