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Having won the Gold Medals with Congratulations of Jury at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the smart search and rescue (SAR) mobile app HKSOS is also one of the Key Performance Indicators in the 2023 Policy Address. The Force accomplished the mission as scheduled and successfully launched HKSOS in January 2024. The launching ceremony was held at Pak Tam Chung Country Park in Sai Kung on January 20. More than 100 guests, including representatives of the Force, Fire Services Department (FSD), Government Flying Service, Civil Aid Service (CAS), the communications and technology industries, and other supporting organisations, were invited to attend the ceremony.
Launching ceremony
In his opening remarks, Commissioner Siu Chak-yee noted that the number of accidents in outdoor activities had been rising in recent years. HKSOS could solve problems in SAR operations. Officers from the Information Systems Wing (ISW) then introduced the major functions of HKSOS and conducted a live demonstration on the usage of the app to illustrate how the Force deployed its patented technology Signal Radar to accurately detect a distressed individual’s location without mobile signal coverage.
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FSD, CAS, Kowloon East, New Territories North Quick Reaction Force, and Key Points and Search Division were present to showcase SAR equipment and to distribute souvenirs for promoting outdoor safety. ISW also produced an animated promotional video to promote the app. Moreover, three outdoor activity experts, namely Chairman of Hong Kong China Paragliding Association Mr Chan Ka-yiu, Chairman of Hong Kong China Canoe Union Mr Lo Ho-yin, and Hong Kong’s elite trail runner Mr Tsang Siu-keung, were appointed HKSOS Ambassadors. They shared the challenges encountered when doing their specialised outdoor sports, indicating that HKSOS could help protect users’ safety.
First successful SAR case
In less than two weeks after the launch of HKSOS, the Force received the first case of rescue mission via HKSOS. After going up the mountain, the informant felt unwell and sought help via HKSOS. With the precise positioning feature of HKSOS, the officers identified a discrepancy between the whereabouts he described and his actual location. He was eventually saved within an hour.
Topping app charts, facilitating people in need
In less than three weeks since the launch of HKSOS, over 35 000 downloads have been recorded. It has topped the charts on apps downloading platforms for many days. To better support people with hearing and speech impairments, the Force presents SOS messages on the app in graphic and text with nine types of problems requiring help, such as fractures, severe bleeding and breathing difficulties, for the user’s selection, The geolocation of the informant will be transmitted to 999 Call Centre to facilitate people with hearing and speech impairments to seek emergency assistance. Earlier, ISW officers visited the Silence Jockey Club Fanling Integrated Service Centre to introduce HKSOS to hearing-impaired members of the Centre and assist them to install the app.
