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PolyU Library

i-Space: Online Training Resources

Consisting of the Digital Makerspace, Digital Visualisation Room and Studios

The Library i-Space aims at providing easy-to-use digital equipment for students to construct knowledge proactively through hands-on learning experience.  Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the i-Space has created self-learning videos and recorded i-Space webinars and hands-on workshops.  You can follow these online self-learning resources to learn the emerging technologies and build your own prototypes.

Artificial Intelligence

Unlocking the Future of Artificial Intelligence (Available till JUN 2025)

This video discussed the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) from the 1950s to the present, highlighting the limitations of early AI and the development of machine learning and deep learning. The speaker explained that deep learning requires a lot of data and GPUs for complex calculations. He also clarified that machine learning and deep learning are not mutually exclusive, and the choice between them depends on the hardware and the task at hand. Then, he demonstrates the concept of a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) through Tongyi Qianwen (通义千问) and Alibaba Cloud Model Studio to show how users can be used in study, teaching and online application development. 

Creating Interactive Virtual Experiences Made Easy with Nibiru Creator

This video focused on the introduction and demonstration of AI-powered tool Nibira for creating interactive content, including software called the Creator and an AI Generator. These tools were showcased for their ease of use and potential applications in various fields, including education, real estate, and storytelling.

Preserving Memories from the Personal, Institutional, and Social Perspectives Bridging the Analogue and Digital World with New Technologies

The video focuses on the vital shift from analogue to digital media, emphasizing the need to preserve important memories and historical records that could be lost due to outdated formats. It will discuss the entrepreneurial opportunities in this field, particularly in Hong Kong, and the technological advantages needed for success. The session will highlight how Capture HK uses new technologies and AI-powered applications to transform digitization by improving media quality, such as removing glare and restoring colours, allowing people to enjoy and preserve their memories in modern ways. Additionally, the seminar will share insights from personal and corporate digitization projects, illustrating the practical benefits and community impact of starting a business in this niche.

Exploring Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative Content (AIGC)

The video covers the fundamentals of AI and its influence across different industries, focusing on the concept of generative content, its creation process, and practical applications. It also addresses the ethical considerations of using AI for generative content and explores how AI techniques can be applied to develop projects in this field. The speaker shared insights from past work experiences and present case studies and introduced tools related to AI and generative content, providing participants with a balanced and realistic understanding of the potential and challenges of using AI in content creation. Such as: 

  • Playground: Free AI Design Tool for different media. e.g. Logos, T-Shirts, Social Media etc.
  • Blockade Labs: 360° panorama generator
  • Prompt Heroes: style-based prompt for Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E etc.

Introduction of AI - Build your first mechanic learning model with Lobe

This video introduces the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, designed for beginners. Viewers will learn to use Lobe, an easy-to-use tool, to collect and label images and train machine learning models without coding or prior experience. The software simplifies the machine learning process into a few straightforward steps. Finally, it showcases examples and potential applications of machine learning models.

Vinyl Cutter

How to operate a Vinyl Cutter?

 

This self-learning video, How to operate a vinyl cutter, is a companion learning resource for the Vinyl cutter DIY manual. You have to download the manual here (PolyU/CPCE staff and students only) to read the information which are not fully covered in this video. Using cutting paper stickers as an example, you will learn how to operate the vinyl cutter at the Library's i-Space.

How to create full colour stickers with Vinyl Cutter?

Creating Full Colour Stickers with Vinyl Cutter

This self-learning video, Creating Full Colour Stickers with Vinyl Cutter, is a beginner guide for students who want to make colour printed stickers with the Vinyl Cutter in Digital Makerspace. You will learn about:

-  How a vinyl cutter helps you to produce stickers

-  The steps to use Adobe Illustrator to create stickers from sample graphics and images provided

-  The Vinyl Cutting Service at the Library's i-Space

Please download learning material here (PolyU/CPCE staff and students only).

Operating vinyl cutter on your own?

We encourage students to learn how to use the vinyl cutter. If you are interested, please read the Vinyl cutter DIY manual and watch the companion learning video How to create full colour stickers with Vinyl Cutter?.

Internet of Things (IoT) - Controlling LED with Blynk

 

 

Some IoT controllers are capable to serve as a web server, and able to communicate with other electronic devices within a private network.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • How to use a mobile phone or computer to control an IoT controller
  • How to set up a network service on an IoT controller

The detailed procedure is available for download (PolyU staff and students only). You can try out and build your own IoT controller.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VR Interaction in Unity (Beginner / Advanced)

 

 

Beginner Level

Advanced Level

In these workshops, you will learn:

  • Navigating the Unity application
  • Creating basic 3D objects and positioning them in the scene
  • Manipulating and moving 3D objects via script

Please follow the instruction here to install Unity.

The detailed procedure is available for download (Beginner Level / Advanced Level) (PolyU staff and students only). You can try out and make your own Unity application. 

3D Modeling in SketchUp (Beginner / Advanced)

 

 

Beginner Level

Advanced Level

In these workshops, you will learn:

  • Using SketchUp Free to create 3D model
  • Adding colours and textures to customize model
  • Applying useful shortcut, command and tips for repeated actions

Please register an account here for using SketchUp Free.

 

Internet of Things (IOT), and its Sensor Simulation over Cloud Platform

 

 

Powerful Feature in cloud platform - Adafruit IO Cloud

The API that drives user interface is available. The data can be stored, managed, controlled, and downloaded anytime. Charts, graphs, gauges, logging, and more features are available from anywhere in this designed web-based dashboard. Trigger function can monitor your data and notify you when your temperature sensor gets too hot or when your DIY security system goes offline.  Come and Join this webinar recoding if you are interested to build your own IoT project.

About the speaker:

Silas Hung is a professional electronic engineer for 25 years. He specializes in electronic engineering, material analysis and photonics analysis. He founded Cloud-LED lighting technology limited in recent years. He has published over 20 academic articles mainly on the application of nanomagnetic structures. In addition, he designed “Smart Home” teaching courses and electronic educational kit for schools, hoping that the new generation will still love technology and engineering.

Student Maker Forum: Internet of Things(IoT) - Smart Home Prototype

 

 

In this webinar, Declan Leung, a student from the Department of Computing will share how he designs the tailor-made application on Internet of Things (IoT): Smart Home Prototype. The prototype of the smart home consists of a series of IoT controllers and smart sensors. An IoT controller can automatically turn on or off electronic appliances such as air-conditioner, based on the temperature collected by environmental sensors.

He has not only learned the essentials of being a professional programmer as “smart home” requires the connection between data networking and home appliance devices, but he has also taken a leading role in his IoT team project.

About the speaker:

Declan Leung, a 4th year undergraduate student from the Department of Computing and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Enterprise Information Systems. He has a strong interest in IoT, and participated in variuos workshops and student projects of MakerMindset Programme@i-Space.

Internet of Things (IoT) - Real Time Weather Monitoring Station

 

 

An Internet-of-Thing (IoT) component can be configured to collect real-time environmental data.  This workshop will teach you how to make a small scale weather monitoring station by integrating ESP8266 board with a temperature and humidity sensor. You could monitor the real-time and historical environmental data remotely over the cloud platform.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • How to do basic programming on ESP8266 board to control device's input and output
  • How to generate data from IoT devices to aggregate and process data in Cloud service

The detailed procedure and source files are available for download (PolyU staff and students only). You can try out and build your own IoT controller.