American University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced yesterday its plans to launch an “Innovation Node” in Hong Kong, a collaborative space for the MIT community and Hong Kong-based students.

The Innovation Node is expected to be opened next July, fully equipped with facilities and tools for invention and prototyping.

The 5,000 square feet Hong Kong centre will be MIT’s first node focused on innovation. MIT currently has three centres outside the US, namely Chile, Japan, and Singapore.

Also Read: Meet Makerbay: A Hong Kong co-working space for inventors

“The idea is to facilitate a way for MIT and Hong Kong students to collaborate physically or virtually — through advanced telecommunication services — to drive ideas toward commercialization. For instance, medical devices, sensors, or robotics could be prototyped on the MIT campus or at the node, tested in the Boston or Hong Kong regions, and have small quantities manufactured in Shenzhen,” states the official announcement.

Regarding the placement of the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node, MIT representatives told e27 the location will be “further explored.”

Image Credit: MIT