HKUST student team "Elevenators" achieved remarkable success at the IoT Data Hackathon 2026, organized by GS1 Hong Kong. Competing in the Student Stream, the team secured two major honors: the First Runner-up position and the Best Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Award.

To address the complexities of urban drone flight, Team Elevenators developed ORBITRON, a semi-decentralized traffic management system specifically tailored for Hong Kong’s unique landscape. The innovative solution utilizes a 4D airspace grid powered by artificial intelligence (AI) flight planning and blockchain technology. It also integrates VCG-based auctions for fair airspace access and layered collision avoidance to ensure a safe, green, and secure low-altitude economy.

The ORBITRON system is designed to deliver safer skies while utilizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) incentives to drive greener and quieter operations. Furthermore, the system builds public trust through built-in privacy protections and provides regulators with critical data needed for confident policy expansion. Ultimately, these insights aim to guide future government decisions regarding drone highways and 5G infrastructure, potentially unlocking significant economic growth for Hong Kong.

The HKUST Entrepreneurship Center remains dedicated to supporting student innovators like Team Elevenators throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. By providing essential mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities, the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center helps students transition promising prototypes into successful real-world businesses, continuously fostering the future of innovation.