Avnet Opens EMUS Lab in Tseung Kwan O to Accelerate AI Hardware Commercialization

On September 17, 2026, global technology distributor and solution provider Avnet (NASDAQ: AVT) held the inauguration ceremony for the "Emerging Microelectronics and Ubiquitous Computing Systems Laboratory" (EMUS Lab) at the Data Technology Hub in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong University. The lab is positioned as a collaborative hub for academia, industry, and research, integrating academic research, engineering expertise, and global supply chain support, with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware from concept to mass production and scalability.

R&D Focus and Startup Support

The EMUS Lab focuses on the research and development of next-generation technologies, covering Edge AI, Physical AI, robotics, high-performance computing (HPC), and cutting-edge microelectronics. The team will have access to engineering consulting, GPU computing resources, prototyping, manufacturability assessments, and supply chain expertise; startups can also leverage the Avnet ecosystem, including element14, which specializes in proof of concept and prototyping, to obtain the necessary tools and technical support for early product development, shortening the path from prototype to mass production.

• Edge AI / Physical AI, robotics, HPC, cutting-edge microelectronics
• Engineering consulting, GPU, prototyping, manufacturability assessments, supply chain support
• element14 assists with PoC and prototyping stages

Bridging the Gap from Prototype to Mass Production

Avnet's Vice President of Asia Sales and Supplier Management, Chung Kiu-hai, stated, "Building an excellent AI model is just the first step; how to transform innovative technology into reliable, mass-producible products with scalability potential remains one of the biggest obstacles in the commercialization process. The establishment of the EMUS Lab aims to assist startups in bridging this gap by deeply integrating cutting-edge research, engineering expertise, mature supply chain support, and market expansion capabilities to help startups accelerate their journey from product prototype to market."

Professor Wong Yi, Associate Professor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Hong Kong and Director of the EMUS Lab, remarked, "The establishment of the EMUS Lab aims to break down the barriers between top-tier academic research and practical applications. By bringing together researchers, students, startups, and industry partners, we are building a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates excellent research, engineering strength, and market demand, thereby accelerating innovation in the fields of AI and microelectronics."

Before its official opening, the lab showcased its research capabilities with GPU infrastructure sponsored by Avnet: the results not only appeared in the Nature series of journals but were also presented at top international AI conferences such as ICLR and ICML. Industry analysts expect strong growth in Edge AI, Physical AI, and intelligent autonomous systems applications over the next decade; Deloitte's "2026 State of AI in Business Report" indicates that over half of the surveyed organizations are already using Physical AI, with adoption rates expected to rise significantly in the next two years. Hong Kong, with its research ecosystem, international connections, and proximity to the Greater Bay Area manufacturing network, holds a unique position in accelerating the commercialization of AI hardware technology.

Inauguration Ceremony and Application Scenarios

On the day of the inauguration, representatives from Avnet, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and the EMUS Lab attended the event, which included keynote speeches, the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), lab tours, and demonstrations of AI and microelectronics technologies. The lab aims to transform breakthrough concepts into manufacturable, scalable products that can be deployed globally, with applications covering healthcare, robotics, industrial automation, smart living, and smart cities, further solidifying Hong Kong's role as a hub for AI hardware innovation and technology commercialization.