Aspiring to emulate Einstein

In secondary school, Ir Dr Zheng Pai showed immense talent and a strong interest in Physics, receiving a number of awards on innovation. “Becoming an engineer was not my original intention,” he recollected, “since I dreamed of becoming a theoretical physicist. I thought it would be cool to be like Einstein.” He eventually set his mind “on becoming an engineer with not only theoretical thinking and innovation capabilities, but also the aptitude for employing them to solve real-life problems with practical values and impacts.”

Innovating on smart collaborative manufacturing

After receiving his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Ir Dr Zheng was faced with many opportunities, but eventually chose to become an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in 2019. Looking back at this decision, he enthused, “I was so lucky and honoured to be given this offer by PolyU, which is a world-leading platform especially in the manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) domain.”

Having once been a young PhD candidate himself, Ir Dr Zheng (middle) has by now supervised several PhD students

He has already secured funding exceeding HK$25 million. “Global manufacturing industries,” he explained, “are increasingly shifting towards a human-machine symbiotic manufacturing paradigm with higher flexible automation capabilities, empowered by cutting-edge AI, robotics and digital technologies. One significant fact is that collaborative robots have been widely adopted in the manufacturing sector with a market size around US$14 billion in 2023—and expected to exceed US$82 billion by 2032.”

He went on to elaborate, “PolyU’s Research Group of AI for Industrial Digital Servitization (RAIDS) team, with strong support from industrial partners, are committed to developing a Mutual Cognitive Human-Robot Collaborative Manufacturing System (MC-HRCMS). This is a smart robotic solution developed mainly for high-end manufacturing tasks with flexible automation capabilities. This system is tailored, based on industrial collaborative projects that promote technology transfer and foster innovation in smart manufacturing.” One application example that he gave is human-robot interactive immersive hole-drilling and evaluation system, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of large aircraft onsite assembly.

Describing his future aspirations, he explained, “My RAIDS team and I hold the grand vision and mission to establish a human-machine symbiotic manufacturing environment, where human beings and agents can naturally interact, productively collaborate and even co-evolve as an ecosystem. To this end, we are dedicated to introducing and developing advanced AI, digital technologies, and smart robotic solutions in the long run.”

Ir Dr Zheng (3rd left) with the RAIDS team

Engaging in prolific research and outreach

Ir Dr Zheng is a member of numerous research, engineering, and manufacturing institutes and associations, has contributed extensively to many of their high-impact international journals, and has received significant research and industry awards. One such recent recognition, in 2024, is the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). “By actively engaging in these local and international professional communities,” he said, “I have learnt a lot and can reach out to many reputable scholars and industrial partners, dedicating myself in the Research and Development (R&D) of smart manufacturing and robotics systems towards a human-machine symbiotic manner.”

“The contribution that I am proudest of, and I consider the most important, is to send my voice as a Hong Kong researcher and engineer on international platforms,” he added, “such as acting as one of the only three local Associate Members/Fellows of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) in Europe.”

Of his prolific research results, he is proudest of those published in the internationally recognised CIRP Annals – Manufacturing Technology. “Quite difficult,” he explained, “it is for Chinese scholars get published by CIRP, let alone to succeed four times in a row. These works pave the way for a more natural, effective and efficient human-robot collaboration in manufacturing scenarios, by overcoming critical challenges of the holistic scene understanding, human (or robot or task) uncertainties and unstructured manufacturing task fulfilment.”

Speaking as the recipient of SME’s Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award

Being conferred the Wong Tit Shing Endowed Young Scholar in Smart Robotics

Staying passionate and inspiring lifetime learning

Ir Dr Zheng’s interests, outside of engineering, are reading, travelling, meeting different people and swimming. He elaborated, “The first helps me learn, the second broadens my insight, the third enriches my understanding of human nature, and the last keeps me energetic.” Of his career, he enthused, “I am fortunate to be a professor, since the work involved has offered me many opportunities. Indeed, I never treat academic or engineering life as a job, but as part of my life. I set to work with full passion and joy.”

United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - AI for Good Global Summit

To young people considering a career in engineering, he advised, “An engineer needs the motivation and capability to perceive, understand and act in the real world professionally. So plan ahead, think deep, and act rapidly, holding a long vision on ‘engineering impact’.”

In 2023, Times Higher Education interviewed Ir Dr Zheng twice because of his research team’s commendable performance in innovation and research. These interviews were related to inspiring lifetime learning and engaging students through research competitions.

Thankful and full of gratitude to many

Ir Dr Zheng is thankful for the loving support of his wife Wu Xian (吴嫻), daughter Zheng Xinyun (鄭新雲), and parents, who have sacrificed much for his career. He also expresses immense gratitude to his former supervisors, including Prof Chen Chun-hsien, Prof Khoo Li-pheng, Prof Jose Rios, Prof Wang Lihui, Prof Xie Shane, Prof Xu Xun, and Prof Zhao Gang; leaders and colleagues at PolyU, including Prof K C Chan, Ir Prof Christopher Chao, Prof Benny C F Cheung, Prof Xiaowen Fu, Prof George Q Huang, and Prof H C Man. All these individuals have been influential and nurturing in Ir Dr Zheng’s life and career.

Ir Dr Zheng (R) being presented by President with Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025 at the HKIE Grand 50th Annual Dinner