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Octopus Card Creator Retires, Envisions 'Tap-Free' Future

12/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sammy Kam Chi-sum, architect of Hong Kong's Octopus cards at MTR, is retiring after 30 years.
He joined MTR in 1995 to launch the world's first contactless payment system.
Kam envisions a 'tap-free' future using ultra-wideband technology to pass barriers without tapping.
He hopes the technology will be realized in the next two to three years.
Nora Tang Chui-shan and Tracy Poon Suet-wing will succeed him on January 1.

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Story summary

Sammy Kam Chi-sum, architect of Hong Kong's Octopus cards at MTR, is retiring after 30 years.
He joined MTR in 1995 to launch the world's first contactless payment system.
Kam envisions a 'tap-free' future using ultra-wideband technology to pass barriers without tapping.
He hopes the technology will be realized in the next two to three years.
Nora Tang Chui-shan and Tracy Poon Suet-wing will succeed him on January 1.