Global firms square off at Seoul IT show
The World IT Show organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT began Wednesday for a four-day run at COEX in southern Seoul, bringing together 500 global companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Qualcomm.
Companies are operating 1,500 booths during the exhibition, displaying core future technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and self-driving vehicles.
ICT research centers at universities and the state-run Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) are also exhibiting their recent R&D achievements.
Global conferences will also take place on the sidelines of the event, exploring recent trends of the ICT industry and technologies will be discussed.
“The World IT Show this year will be an opportunity for companies to share their ideas about the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and what it will be like to experience the various and plentiful conveniences of life in the future,” ICT Minister Yoo Young-min said.
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are displaying their respective new flagship phones — Galaxy S9 and G7 ThinQ — as well as their AI platforms enabling users to more conveniently use home appliances through voice commands.
Samsung is exhibiting its latest 8K AI QLED TV involving a bigger screen and higher resolution. The AI engine of the TV is capable of converting low-quality images to high-resolution images and optimizing their sound.
LG is also showing off its OLED TV AI ThinQ, capable of changing channels and controlling volume through voice commands, and its AI speaker that enables users to control home appliances such as air purifiers, refrigerators and washing machines through voice commands.
The nation’s top two mobile carriers SK Telecom and KT are exhibit- ing their advanced technologies involving wireless fifth-generation (5G) networks ahead of the launch of commercial 5G services planned for next March.
SK Telecom installed an 870-square-meter booth with the theme of “capture a moment in 5G life,” displaying various items that give visitors a preview of 5G services.
The firm is also introducing its “intelligent home” at which users can control about 10 home appliances using its NUGU AI speaker.
KT’s booth is comprised of six zones including ones for children and corporate customers. Visitors can check the difference in speed between 5G and long-term evolution (LTE) networks at the firm’s booth.
For corporate customers, the company is introducing AI-based chatbot (AIBOT) and “IoT smart building” that significantly increases the effectiveness of operating buildings.
Mid-sized companies’ various innovative items are worthy of attention, including venture DELI-I’s AI video surveillance.