Roborn

Roborn Technology emerged from the Hong Kong Cyberport incubation ecosystem in December 2017, co-founded by Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School Professor Larry Poon alongside his MBA students Mark Mak and Eden Lu. The company developed China’s first 5G motion-controlled humanoid robot in 2018, establishing itself as a pioneer in teleoperation robotics for healthcare, epidemic prevention, and elderly care applications.

Company Overview

The founding team combines complementary expertise: Mark Mak (CTO) holds an electrical engineering background with years of algorithm development experience, Eden Lu brings economics and finance knowledge, while Prof. Poon contributes business strategy insight. This interdisciplinary approach drives Roborn’s concept of “Techanization”—integrating 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud technologies into practical robotic solutions.

Roborn maintains its headquarters at Hong Kong’s Cyberport, with additional R&D operations in Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Jiangmen within the Greater Bay Area. The company has self-funded its development with investments exceeding eight figures (HKD), focusing on building proprietary motion control systems that enable intuitive human-robot interaction.

Core Products

ME Series Humanoid Robot

The ME Series represents Roborn’s flagship 1:1 scale humanoid robot platform, featuring real-time motion detection technology that allows operators to control the robot through natural body movements. The system captures human motions and replicates them instantaneously, enabling remote operation in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments. An integrated camera provides live video feedback to operators.

CARE Healthcare Robot

CARE is Roborn’s second-generation smart robot currently undergoing testing in collaboration with Hong Kong government hospitals. Designed for ICU ward applications, CARE performs complex mechanical tasks while enabling doctors to operate remotely. This reduces physician travel time between patient rooms and provides better patient assessment capabilities. The system aims to alleviate workload pressure on healthcare professionals while improving care coordination.

Freedom Remote Diagnostic Robot

Developed in partnership with HKT (Hong Kong Telecommunications), the Freedom robot assists physicians in telemedicine consultations. The robot can adjust its camera height and angle in response to real-time physician instructions, transmitting 4K high-definition images with minimal latency via 5G networks. This capability enables clearer remote patient observation compared to conventional video conferencing systems limited by 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity.

PEP 3000 Epidemic Prevention Robot

Professor Epidemic Prevention 3000 (PEP 3000) emerged as Roborn’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike fixed infrared thermometers requiring people to queue, PEP 3000 moves autonomously to different locations for temperature screening. The robot features infrared thermometry, the proprietary 5G AIR PEP system, and cruise control functions for contact tracing. When abnormal temperatures are detected, the system alerts medical staff and displays prevention guidance to affected individuals. PEP 3000 has been deployed at Hong Kong’s Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Correctional Services Department, and Transport Department facilities.

5G Bionic Elderly Care Robot

Addressing global aging population challenges, Roborn’s elderly care robot integrates remote teleoperation with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The system was featured on CCTV-1’s “Pillars of a Great Nation” program in May 2025, demonstrating how robotics can reshape traditional elderly care models. The robot enables caregivers to assist elderly individuals remotely while collecting health monitoring data.

Technology & Innovation

Roborn’s core technology centers on its motion control system, which enables precise replication of human movements by robotic platforms. The company has developed proprietary algorithms for real-time motion sensing and execution since before its formal founding, with Mark Mak beginning work on the underlying technology following the 2003 SARS outbreak and 2011 Fukushima disaster.

The technology stack integrates five key components:

• 5G Connectivity: Ultra-low latency communication for real-time teleoperation
• AI Processing: Autonomous decision-making and environmental awareness
• IoT Integration: Sensor networks for data collection and monitoring
• Cloud Computing: Centralized data management and analysis
• Motion Control: Proprietary algorithms for human-robot synchronization

Roborn holds multiple patents related to its robotics technologies and continues R&D investment in motion sensing, epidemic prevention, and healthcare applications.

Market Presence

The company has demonstrated its 5G robots through partnerships with telecommunications providers including China Mobile, ZTE Corporation, and HKT in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Belt and Road Initiative countries. Roborn participates in Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) promotion campaigns targeting ASEAN markets, conducting business matching with potential customers from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roborn’s epidemic prevention robots gained visibility through deployment at Hong Kong medical centers and government facilities. The Sau Wu outdoor disinfection robot was featured alongside government pandemic response measures announced by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in April 2020.

Key Milestones

• 2017: Company founded at Hong Kong Cyberport by Prof. Larry Poon, Mark Mak, and Eden Lu
• 2018: Developed China’s first 5G motion-controlled humanoid robot in collaboration with China Mobile and ZTE
• 2018: Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Equipment and Machinery Design Grand Award
• 2019: Hong Kong ICT Awards: ICT Startup Grand Award and Hardware & Devices Gold Award
• 2019: Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Technological Achievement Award
• 2020: Rapid development and deployment of 5G epidemic prevention robots during COVID-19
• 2020: Partnered with HKT to develop 5G remote diagnostic robot
• 2025: 5G elderly care robot featured on CCTV-1 “Pillars of a Great Nation”
• 2025: CARE robot enters testing at Hong Kong government hospitals

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of robots does Roborn develop?

Roborn specializes in 5G-enabled teleoperation robots for healthcare, telemedicine, elderly care, and epidemic prevention applications. The company’s core technology is motion control systems that allow human operators to remotely control humanoid robots through natural body movements, with real-time video feedback via 5G networks.

Is Roborn publicly traded?

No, Roborn remains a privately-held company. The founding team has self-funded development with investments exceeding eight figures in Hong Kong dollars. The company operates from Hong Kong Cyberport and has not announced plans for public listing.

Where are Roborn’s robots deployed?

Roborn’s robots have been deployed at Hong Kong government facilities including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Correctional Services Department, and Transport Department. The CARE robot is undergoing testing at Hong Kong government hospitals. The company has also conducted 5G demonstrations with telecommunications partners across mainland China and Belt and Road countries.