Singapore and Hong Kong universities are joining forces to harness artificial intelligence for tackling knee osteoarthritis, a growing health challenge in aging populations across Asia. The National University of Singapore (NUS) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance community-based AI research and applications in this area.
University Collaboration Brings Hong Kong AI Innovation to Singapore
On 5 June 2026, representatives from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering formalised their partnership. The agreement focuses on deploying an AI-powered tool called KneeVidScan for early detection and management of knee osteoarthritis in community settings. This marks the first time NUS Department of Orthopaedic Surgery has introduced Hong Kong-developed AI technology and expertise in this field to Singapore.
The collaboration aims to improve precision orthopaedics in primary healthcare, enhance care navigation, and reduce pressure on hospital services through earlier intervention. Both institutions emphasise healthy ageing, functional mobility, and musculoskeletal research tailored to real-world community needs.
Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis and Its Regional Impact
Knee osteoarthritis, often abbreviated as knee OA or KOA, is a chronic degenerative joint disease that primarily affects older adults. It involves the breakdown of cartilage in the knee, leading to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life. In Singapore and Hong Kong, rapidly aging populations mean rising prevalence of the condition, placing increasing demands on healthcare systems.
Early identification is crucial because current treatments are more effective when started before significant joint damage occurs. Community screening programmes can help shift care from reactive hospital treatment to proactive primary care and self-management.
The KneeVidScan AI Tool: How It Works
Developed by a PolyU research team led by Professor Chunyi Wen, KneeVidScan is an AI-empowered biomechanical assessment tool. It uses video-based analysis and machine learning algorithms to evaluate knee function and detect early signs of osteoarthritis. The system provides personalised insights that support clinicians in tailoring interventions.
The technology earned recognition including the TechConnect Global Innovation Award 2021 and Hong Kong ICT Award 2022. In Hong Kong, it has powered the first community screening programme for knee osteoarthritis since 2023, serving more than 1,800 older adults with support from the HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living. Results from related studies have appeared in a Nature Portfolio journal.
Expanding Research Through Academic Partnership
The MoU enables joint efforts in implementing KneeVidScan within Singapore’s healthcare landscape. NUS researchers will adapt the tool for local community contexts, integrating it with existing primary care pathways. This includes training opportunities for students and early-career researchers in biomedical engineering, orthopaedics, and data science.
Both universities plan to conduct collaborative studies on functional mobility and healthy ageing. The partnership also opens doors for cross-border student exchanges and shared research projects that combine Singapore’s clinical strengths with Hong Kong’s AI innovations.
Implications for Higher Education and Research Training
This initiative highlights how universities are preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for AI-integrated practice. At NUS and PolyU, students in medicine, biomedical engineering, and related fields gain exposure to real-world applications of machine learning in orthopaedics.
Research opportunities will expand in areas such as biomechanical data analysis, community health interventions, and ethical AI deployment in clinical settings. The collaboration supports Singapore’s broader push toward precision medicine and digital health innovation.
Future Outlook and Broader Regional Benefits
By bringing proven AI technology from Hong Kong to Singapore, the partnership sets a model for regional cooperation on age-related health challenges. Successful community screening could lead to scalable programmes that lower long-term healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Leaders from both institutions expressed optimism about translating research into tangible community impact. The focus remains on evidence-based approaches that prioritise accessibility and effectiveness in primary care environments.
Key Stakeholders and Institutional Roles
Key figures include Professor Chunyi Wen from PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Professor Wei Seong Toh, Research Director and Associate Professor in NUS Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Senior leaders such as PolyU’s Associate Vice President for Knowledge Transfer and NUS’s Vice-Dean for Research witnessed the signing.
The involvement of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine underscores NUS’s commitment to interdisciplinary research that bridges engineering and clinical practice.