APEX Group
Augmenting People via Empowering X (perception, mobility, cognition, social and emotional needs)
About Us
Augmenting People by Empowering X (APEX) Group at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) is dedicated to designing and developing intelligent interactive computing technologies to empower people in overcoming physical, cognitive, as well as emotional and social challenges. APEX group members (APEXers) leverage methods from computer science, AI, engineering, interaction design, human factor, psychology, and more to invent such empowering technologies in two primary research directions are
- Proactive Healthy Aging Interactive Technologies: Multi-sensory immersive interaction techniques for physical exercise, cognitive training, and emotional wellbeing for older adults.
- Intelligent Empowering Technologies for New AI-Era Learning Paradigms: Intelligent interactive systems to enhance critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills in the AI era.
Founded and led by Prof. Mingming Fan, APEX group has published over 100 scientific papers in leading international journals and conferences primarily in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including more than 80 A-ranked publications according to China Computer Federation (CCF) recommendations (generally recognized top-tier venues). The group has received ten international paper awards, including five Best Paper or Honorable Mention Awards from CHI (a premier HCI conference), a UbiComp Best Paper Honorable Mention Award, an ACM Multimedia Best Paper Honorable Mention Award among others. APEX group's research is generously supported by both government and industrial grants.
Prof. Fan has graduated four PhD students and over twenty MPhil students. Currently, APEX group consists of over 20 PhD and MPhil students, who are actively inventing, deploying, and testing empowering technologies.
Team
Prof. Mingming Fan, Director
Associate Professor, Computational Media and Arts Thrust and Internet of Things Thrust, HKUST (GZ)
He leads Augmenting People via Empowering X (APEX) Group to conduct Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research by exploring the design principles, interaction techniques and applications of Accessibile Computing, Human-AI Interaction and VR/AR/MR, in particular for addressing aging, accessibility, and education/learning challenges.
Recent News
- Sept, 2025: Two papers accepted at IMWUT 2025. Congrats to Fan, Peixuan, and their co-authors!
- Sept, 2025: One paper accepted at ASSETS 2025. Congrats to Shumeng, and co-authors!
- Aug, 2025: Prof. Fan was invited to give a talk at the ROP project kickoff meeting and received the Best Presentation Award. [link]
- Aug, 2025: One art paper accepted at Siggraph Asia 2025 Art track. Congrats to Shumeng!
- July, 2025: One paper accepted at IMWUT 2025. Congrats to Ruohao, and co-authors!
Research Directions
Proactive Healthy Aging Interactive Technologies
Targeting proactive health management and longevity goals for older adults, we invent multi-sensory immersive intelligent interaction techniques to empower them to better perform physical exercises and cognitive wellness training at home or within their communities. Concurrently, we also invent novel intelligent interaction technologies to help older adults manage emotional wellbeing and address social isolation.
Intelligent Empowering Technologies for New AI-Era Learning Paradigms
Against the backdrop of Artificial Intelligence's impact on education and workplaces, we invent intelligent interactive technologies aimed at enhancing people's transferable skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and team collaboration.
Research Focus Areas
Perception
Mobility
Cognition
Social
Emotional Needs
Education
Awards
Our research excellence recognized by top international conferences
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
ACM MM 2024
Invented a VR-Mediated Cognitive Defusion for Managing Negative Thoughts
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
CHI 2024
Invented a novel electrotactile wearable on fingertip edges to help Blind and Low Vision (BLV) People comprehend charts
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
CHI 2024
Designed an AI- and AR-powered app to assist BLV People to use digital-screen parcel lockers
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
CHI 2024
Promoting traditional Chinese cultural heritage by assisting traditional Chinese opera (Xiqu) performers
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
CHI 2023
Invented a novel voice-accompanying hand-to-face gesture interaction technique
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
Chinese CHI 2023
Invented an AR-based approach to help with the learning of Chinese traditional opera (Xiqu) makeup
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
Chinese CHI 2022
A systematic review of communication in immersive social Virtual Reality (VR)
Best Artifact Award
ASSETS 2020
Invented a novel eyelid gesture interaction for people with motor impairments to use touchscreen without touch
Best Paper Award
CHI 2019
Investigated how livestreamers utilize streaming to promote traditional Chinese heritage
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
UbiComp 2015
Invented a novel active acoustic sensing IoT technique for monitoring content level in a container
Portfolio
Our latest research projects and innovative solutions
- All
- VR/AR
- Accessibility
- AI/AR
- Culture
- Gesture
