Control Free’s founder German Cheung is shaping a better city—one smart estate at a time
When the first iPhone was created, German Cheung was working at an automation systems company, fresh out of university. At a time when automation was focused on hardware, the emergence of the iPhone marked a sharp turning point in the industry—and Cheung was quick to ride the tides of change. “I bought an iPhone myself,” he recalls. “I saw that the era of apps was upon us, so I started creating software-based automation systems.” This software soon formed the core of Control Free, Cheung’s smart city technology start-up. Control Free develops cloud-based and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for homes and buildings, enabling remote control and monitoring of everyday devices such as electronic curtains, remote air conditioning and lighting control—this is often done through a single app, offering urbanites convenience and efficiency.
Growing and thriving with HKSTP
Control Free was incubated at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). “When we first started, we worked on smart home systems,” says Cheung. Eventually, he steered his company’s work towards smart building systems. Now, seven years after it was established, Control Free counts the likes of Wheelock Properties, Henderson Land and Hong Kong International Airport among its clientele.
Control Free has also found a home in HKSTP’s Data Technology Hub (DT Hub) in Tseung Kwan O InnoPark. In many ways, as Cheung says, it’s like the DT Hub was made for Control Free. “We handle a lot of building data daily, from temperature sensors to air-conditioning and electricity systems”—large volumes of information that can be processed and analysed efficiently and effectively with DT Hub’s state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Apart from its world-class facilities, the community and exposure that DT Hub offers are helping Cheung expand his start-up. “Our neighbours are companies in similar industries; just two months ago, I ran into one of my university professors, who was visiting colleagues from a partner company,” he says. “Last week, a Singapore business association found us through HKSTP and visited our company. Potential clients will browse the list of companies under HKSTP and see what suits their needs, which is priceless exposure. There are also a lot of activities for business matching, fundraising and overseas recruiting. None of this would have happened if we were not in InnoPark and just rented a random office in Kwun Tong.”
Sustainably smart
“Last year, we started supplying real estate developers with solutions for new residential buildings. Fortunately, we have experience in smart home systems,” says Cheung. For everyone who has ever wondered if they can press a lift button from their phone or receive a notification when physical post arrives at their home, Control Free is making it possible with a single app. “Tenants can even control the lights and air-conditioning of their home from their app; it’s all in one system. People in managerial roles at an estate or security guards can also monitor the building from their electronic devices,” he explains. “Hong Kong is a place where technology is adopted quickly. People here own the latest iPhone and Tesla models. We keep developing and supplying new technology to our clients and, by extension, the city. This creates healthy competition that drives us to move forward.”
Cheung is confident that automation is the way to a more sustainable future. “Many companies have contacted us to supply systems that will help them achieve their ESG [environmental, social and governance] goals, especially those related to sustainable and modern energy,” he says. “It is now compulsory for listed companies to publish ESG reports, but slowly, I believe that we will all feel the need to take up responsibility and be proactive about achieving these goals.”