FaaiLok: An AI-Powered App for Children to Craft
Personalized Chopsticks

Building exterior in Toronto, Canada

Project Background

Customization

  • The customization market has grown significantly, driven by consumer demand for personalized products.
  • The children’s customization market is still underdeveloped, presenting an opportunity for growth.
  • The lack of standardized methods in customization poses challenges for quality and efficiency.

Traditional Culture

  • Cultural heritage represents the collective knowledge of a society
  • Traditional cultures are at risk of disappearing, often due to ineffective propaganda
  • Innovative approaches like customization can make learning about culture more engaging and relevant, allowing individuals to express their creativity while connecting with cultural elements.

Advanced Technology

  • Pre-trained text-to-image models are increasingly researched for their customization potential.
  • Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, have revolutionized content creation and customization.
  • Generative models enable users to produce unique artworks and designs efficiently.

Children’s Education and Happiness

  •  there is a strong societal focus on academic achievement, often leading to an exam-oriented education model
  • This approach prioritizes academic success over creativity and happiness, hindering children’s personal growth
  • The pressure to excel can stifle imagination and joy, necessitating methods to help children regain a sense of happiness and creativity while aligning with the existing educational system.

Project Objectives

Foster Creativity and Joy for Children through Customization

At its core, this project is designed to bring joy and creativity to children by allowing them to design their own chopsticks in a user-friendly and interactive way. Children will have the freedom to experiment with different colors, patterns, and designs, using AI-powered tools to bring their ideas to life. By giving them control of the design process, we aim to foster a sense of ownership and creativity, allowing them to express their individuality through their personalized chopsticks. The process is not only enjoyable but also educational, as children learn about design principles and the potential of AI technology in a hands-on, engaging manner.

Promote Traditional Chinese Culture through the Customization Process

In addition to the creative aspect, this project also seeks to promote traditional Chinese culture by embedding cultural elements into the customization process. Chopsticks, as a symbol of Chinese tradition, serve as the perfect medium for cultural expression. Children can customize their chopsticks with traditional Chinese motifs, calligraphy, or patterns inspired by ancient Chinese art. This allows children to engage with Chinese culture in a meaningful and interactive way, deepening their appreciation for cultural heritage while enjoying the creative process. Through this approach, we aim to promote the beauty of Chinese traditions to children both in China and around the world.

Introduce Standardized Customization for Seamless Experience

While the primary goal is to provide children with a creative platform, this project also introduces the concept of “standardized customization”. By utilizing AI and advanced manufacturing technologies, we are able to simplify the customization process, making it seamless and affordable. This standardization ensures that each child’s design can be produced efficiently, with consistent quality, and at a low cost. Although the focus of this project is on chopsticks, the technology and processes developed here lay the groundwork for future innovations in personalized product design. The long-term vision is to extend this approach to other everyday items, allowing everyone to enjoy a seamless, low-cost customization experience for a wide variety of products.

Bridge Cultural Appreciation with AI Technology

A key feature of this project is the integration of traditional culture with modern technology. By leveraging AI in the customization process, we provide children with the opportunity to engage with cultural heritage in a modern and innovative way. This fusion of tradition and technology not only enhances the customization experience but also demonstrates how cultural values can evolve in the digital age. The project serves as a bridge between the past and the present, showcasing how ancient traditions can coexist and thrive alongside cutting-edge technology.

Extend Customization to Future Products

The long-term goal of this project is to extend the customization experience beyond chopsticks to a wide range of everyday products. Starting with chopsticks as a culturally significant item, we plan to expand the platform to include items such as cups, notebooks, clothing, and other personal accessories. By continuing to refine the standardization process, we aim to make product customization accessible to everyone, offering a seamless and affordable way to personalize everyday objects. This expansion will not only revolutionize the way people interact with their personal belongings but also further strengthen the connection between creativity, culture, and technology.

Project Time Line


Meet with Supervisor
Detailed Project Plan

AI Style Transfer

Mid-Project Presentation

3D Model Customization

Testing and Refinement

3D Printing Integration

Final Optimization and Inno-Show Preparation

Final Presentation at HKU Inno-Show (April-May 2024)

September 2024

November – December 2024

January 2025

February 2025

March 2025

March 2024

April 2025

April-May 2024