In the lecture, Professor Zhao explained the principles of the Internet of Things (IoT), discussed several approaches that might lead to implementation of IoT, and analysed their pros and cons. IoT is a networking infrastructure for cyber-physical systems. It integrates sensing, computation and control within one infrastructure. With IoT, physical objects should be seamlessly integrated into an Internet-like system so that the physical objects and cyber-agents can interact with each other to achieve mission-critical objectives.

 

IoT has tremendous application potential and hence has become popular in recent years. There are several approaches that might lead to implementation of IoT, but Professor Zhao has proposed a system called “Winternet” and has set up the “Winternet Demonstration Network” with several academic institutions on the mainland and in the US. Under this network, the first version of “Winternet” protocols has been developed, trial applications are being tested and international connections are planned.

 

CityU President Professor Way Kuo welcomed Professor Zhao and said, “Professor Zhao is an early developer of the technology we use today. He is an essential element of modern technology.”

 

Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, Acting Vice-President (Research and Technology), said, “Professor Zhao is an internationally renowned scholar who has received numerous awards and prizes. He has made significant contributions in distributed computing, real-time systems, computer networks, and cyberspace security.”