Since Octopus was launched in 1997, it has been using smart cards as a payment method for cash registers.
However, with the emergence of new competitors, such as the popular QR code payment in the Mainland, Octopus has also launched the mobile phone Octopus function in recent years.
However, with the rapid development of technology, or in order to consolidate the leading position of Hong Kong’s electronic payment, Octopus plans to launch the "no-du card entry" based on the mobile phone Octopus in the near future. It has now entered the research and development stage. The public, empty-handed, can enter the gate without tapping a card.
Octopus Technical Director Gan Zhishen revealed that the new technology can also be applied to payment at merchants and parking lots, that is, "travel without a tuk card".
However, he believes that MTR stations are the best application scenarios, so testing will be the highest priority. If large-scale testing is feasible, the next step will be to discuss specific arrangements with operators and MTR shareholders.
"Even if the lady wears her handbag with her mobile phone, she won't make Teden open it, and the gate will open when you go to bury it."
Octopus Technical Director Gan Zhishen revealed that it is planned to launch "free beep gates" in the near future. By then, citizens holding Octopus phones can enter the gates with empty hands and no need to tap their cards.
(Photo by Luo Junhao)
Looking back at the last century, Octopus was the first to adopt Sony's smart card technology in the world. However, since the popular QR code payment in the Mainland entered Hong Kong and was regarded by many Hong Kong people as a symbol of progress, Octopus has given a restless image.
Related reading: Consumer vouchers｜The value of 50 yuan can be obtained through the Octopus App
Octopus Technical Director Gan Zhishen revealed to "Hong Kong 01" in the middle of this year that in order to bring more convenient functions to the public and improve the service of the charging system, Octopus has been paying close attention to Apple's Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology since last year. In the future, based on the mobile phone Octopus, it will be applied to the MTR and other means of transportation. "In the future, you will not need to bury your mobile phone when you pass the subway gate. The gate will open when you go."
▼Simulate the process of ``no beep gate entry''▼
The next step will be to discuss specific arrangements with operators and MTR shareholders
A few days ago, Gan Zhishen accepted an interview with this newspaper again, saying that he has entered the technology research and development stage. If large-scale testing is feasible, the next step will be to discuss specific arrangements with operators and MTR shareholders.
However, this technology faces many difficulties, such as the complicated environment of the MTR lobby, how to distinguish passengers from entering the gate to ride the train or passing by outside the gate; or how to deduct the money at the same time when several passengers squeeze into the bus at the same time .
Related reading: Octopus｜Overtaken by QR Code?
The technical director revealed that the future vision is empty-handed
``Take-free card entry'' needs to solve the two major problems of distance and direction
Gan Zhishen believes that the distance and direction of the instrument's sensing are the key. He will develop technology to solve the above problems. He is currently thinking that when passengers approach the gate, the gate will automatically open. "Passengers don't need to stop and pass the gate. However, even if the technical difficulties are solved, Octopus will not be able to immediately launch the "toot-free card access" because mobile phone manufacturers have only supported UWB technology in recent years, and there are still many mobile phones on the market that cannot support this function.
▼Click to see the different functions of each Octopus cash register▼
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The new technology is also applicable to businesses, parking lots and other places
In addition to transportation, UWB technology can also be applied to merchants and parking lot payments, that is, "Tuk-free travel".
Take the parking lot as an example. At that time, the driver does not need to adjust the window to reach out and tap the card. As long as the vehicle is close to the area sensed by the instrument and the direction and distance of the mobile phone are correct, the cash register will automatically detect the deduction.
That is to say, the current method of payment by tapping cards can be replaced by UWB technology in the future as long as the problem of miscollection of funds is solved.
As for security, it is also one of the most concerned issues of Hong Kong people. He said that the frequency of the radio waves required by UWB technology is not much different from that of Bluetooth or WiFi in daily use.
However, there are currently more than 100,000 Octopus cash registers in Hong Kong. Will they need to be replaced on a large scale by then?
Gan Zhishen explained that it is only necessary to add hardware to the existing cash register, and then add software to adjust the sensing distance and direction.
However, mobile cash registers with a smaller volume are not suitable for the scenarios mentioned above.
He believes that the MTR station is the best application scenario, so it will give the highest priority to the test.
▼Click to see the product development of Octopus over the past 20 years▼
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Technical Director of Facial Recognition Entry Gate at Japan Research Institute: Hong Kong people are more accepting of "no toot-free entry into the gate"
While Octopus is developing new technologies, Japan's Osaka Metro also plans to introduce a facial recognition system. Passengers only need to register their facial photos in advance, and they can enter the gate without a ticket. It will be used at local stations in 2024.
Gan Zhishen reiterated that the goal is to develop UWB technology first, and believes that Hong Kong people are more accepting of "no-du card entry".
As far as he knows, related companies in other countries are also testing and developing UWB technology, so he emphasizes that it will be launched as soon as possible.
Research the automatic deduction function of parking lot recognition license plate: the driver does not need to do anything
Gan Zhishen also revealed another function under development, similar to the "non-inductive parking payment function" of a credit card. The car owner only needs to register the license plate number with the Octopus App. In the parking lot that supports this function, there is no need to adjust the window to reach out and tap the card. The lens of the parking lot recognizes the license plate number and the payment can be made automatically.
"We don't need to use a credit card. Using an Octopus with a mobile phone is like taking an Octopus and burying it in the cash register. But the driver doesn't need to do anything. After recognizing the license plate, he will help you to do the card action."
The Octopus App will launch the "Save Stamp" reward function
As for the government’s early distribution of electronic consumer vouchers, Octopus also took the opportunity to promote the Octopus App. For example, install the App to give a value-added amount of 18 yuan, and set up a coupon area.
Gan Zhishen revealed that the Octopus App "Store Stamps" reward function is being developed. Merchants can set their own conditions, "For example, if you save 5 stamps, I will send you a cup of coffee." And users only need to pay with the mobile Octopus. If the merchant's requirements are met Upon request, show the page of the Octopus App to get the discount.
"Simply speaking, you can suck printing paper from many shops in the house. In the future, we will automate the channel, so please don't have to worry about it."
Consumer vouchers｜The Octopus collection period has been extended. The first-generation sales version of Octopus will be sold at the end of September next year at the latest, and the first-generation sales version of Octopus will be issued with a "beep~beep" sound to remind consumer vouchers│First round of consumer vouchers Complaint about Tap&Go's "victory" Octopus merchants complained about the third-largest consumer vouchers in the supermarket｜Use Octopus to receive the second phase of consumer vouchers at OK convenience stores and get 20 yuan in cash vouchers. The record of consumer vouchers is on the list.