IoT and AI are core technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. However, surprisingly few people accurately understand what role these technologies…
IoT and AI are core technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution era. However, few people accurately understand what role these technologies will play in our daily lives. Therefore, <Sisa Week> visited the '2021 AIoT International Exhibition' to experience firsthand the various 'positive' impacts that AI and IoT technologies can have on our future life and industry. / Photos, Graphics = Reporter Park Seol-min
The Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are core technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, but there is also a strong view that looks at them critically due to concerns about misuse and ethical issues. Because of this, it feels as if expectations regarding what positive impact these technologies can bring to our future society are fading recently.
However, since the fields where AI and IoT will be utilized in the future are limitless, it is also clear that we need to look at them from a positive perspective. Therefore, <Sisa Week> visited the '2021 AIoT International Exhibition' to experience firsthand the various 'positive' impacts that AI and IoT technologies can have on our future life and industry.
The scene at the 2021 AIoT International Exhibition, which opened at COEX in Seoul on the 20th, was crowded with visitors starting from 10 AM./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
◇ Safety in Future Society: AI and IoT Take ResponsibilityOn the 20th, when a cool breeze began to blow, we visited the scene of the 2021 AIoT International Exhibition held at COEX in Seoul. The AIoT International Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (hereinafter MSIT), has been displaying various AI and IoT related technologies and products developed by industry, academia, and research institutions since its launch in 2014.
First, upon entering the crowded exhibition hall, what caught our eye were the products that protect human 'safety' in homes and industrial sites.
The appearance of SK Telecom's exhibition booth, which captured the attention of visitors as the largest booth inside the exhibition hall./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
Among them, the 'Smart Keeper 2' wrist-watch type safety care service displayed at SK Telecom's booth, which appeared to be the largest and most splendid in the entire exhibition hall, drew the attention of many visitors. Smart Keeper 2 is an IoT-based wearable location tracking device. Equipped with LTE Cat.M1, an IoT dedicated network, along with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and wireless LAN, Smart Keeper 2 can check the current status of the wearer regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors.Additionally, another notable IoT technology at the SK Telecom booth was the 'Single-Person Household Welfare Check Service.' This service reportedly determines the condition of users needing protection, such as elderly people living alone, based on AI analysis of information provided by Korea Electric Power Corporation, including electricity usage, text messages, call records, and data usage.
If the AI judges that a guardian might be in danger because the data usage or electricity usage has suddenly decreased compared to usual, it can send an immediate alert to the local government's welfare officer to check on the user's well-being. It was expected to be of great help in solving issues such as the problem of lonely deaths among the rapidly increasing number of elderly people living alone.
The 'Smart Keeper 2,' a wrist watch-type safety care service displayed at the SK Telecom booth./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
An IoT technology called 'Single-Person Household Welfare Check Service' displayed at the SK Telecom booth. It reportedly determines the status of users needing protection, such as elderly people living alone, based on AI analysis of information like power consumption, text messages, call logs, and data usage./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
Furthermore, numerous IoT technologies were displayed that could protect the safety of workers in dangerous industrial sites. Representative products include 'AI Video Analysis-based Fire Detection Solution' and 'Smart Multi Safety Tag'.First, the fire detection solution based on AI video analysis developed by TripleNet allows for information to be sent to the control room and mobile app within 3 to 5 seconds when danger occurs through a flame and smoke detection AI algorithm, minimizing damage. According to TripleNet, the deep learning model of this AI algorithm is equipped with over 5 million pieces of data related to fires, lighting, light sources, etc.
The smart multi-safety tag developed by Big Power Solution appears to be very helpful for workers deployed in construction, civil engineering, and industrial sites. This tag can detect abnormal worker behavior such as falls or collapses through AI, and it can also send emergency rescue calls or detect building collapse.
In addition, the IoT-based disabled parking space management system produced by InnoCens, an IoT specialized company, also attracted visitors' attention. This system can conduct warning broadcasts for illegally parked vehicles and allow real-time monitoring through vehicle number recognition technology based on IoT smart devices. It is expected to be of great help to disabled drivers who experience parking difficulties in residential areas and various convenience facilities.
IoT products that can protect workers' safety in industrial sites. (Photo right) The 'AI Video Analysis Based Fire Detection Solution' and the 'Smart Multi Safety Tag' (photo left) particularly caught the eye./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
◇ "From smart mirrors to AI bands"... IoT changes future daily life
As we turned to leave and moved to another exhibition booth, a transparent mirror stopped our steps. At first glance, it looked no different from an ordinary mirror, but upon closer inspection, we could see icons resembling smartphones displayed on the mirror. When I touched the icon with my finger, photo taking and internet searching were possible, just like on an actual smartphone.
This large smartphone-shaped mirror was a product called 'MirrorThink,' manufactured by Mirrorroid Korea, a specialized smart mirror manufacturer. MirrorThink is a product specialized for hair salons; it detects the user's face using a camera installed on the front. Then, the AI analyzes suitable hairstyles and provides simulations so that users can experience them virtually.
The appearance of 'MirrorThink,' a giant smart mirror. Even though it is an ordinary mirror, it was expected to be very helpful in beauty salon work due to various functions loaded as if it were a smartphone or computer./ Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
A representative from Mirrorroid explained, "With MirrorThink, hairdressers can provide hairstyles tailored to the customer's style." He added, "Furthermore, for salon customers who often struggle with deciding what style would be best, the advantage of MirrorThink is that they can find their own style more conveniently with the help of AI."A booth exhibiting IoT technologies related to smart homes, such as smart light switches, temperature sensors, and LED lighting controllers, also caught the attention of visitors. According to Jex, an IoT specialized company operating the booth, the smart light switches and temperature sensors installed in this booth can monitor the status of the lights in real time.
A smart home bedroom with installed smart lighting switches, temperature sensors, and LED light controllers. / Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
A representative from Jex explained that remote control is possible through wireless communication in spaces such as homes and offices. In other words, users of this service can control lights or thermostats even when they are outside their home, ensuring a consistently cozy atmosphere.Additionally, there were exhibits demonstrating that AI and IoT technologies can also be active in our future cultural spaces. Indeed, at the exhibition booth, performances where instruments such as drums and pianos were played by AI were held. The performance skills of the AI, which followed Korean traditional music melodies, were comparable to those of actual performers.
A traditional Korean music performance by AI stopped the footsteps of many visitors. / Photo = Reporter Park Seol-min
A representative from Emotionwave, which produced this AI performance system, explained, "The 'K-Digital Stage' we exhibited at this AIoT International Exhibition is an AIoT-based entertainment theater platform." He continued, "The K-Digital Stage consists of the artificial intelligence robotic instrument 'RIMA,' and an AIoT-based remote management system and device, enabling non-face-to-face walkthrough performances."He further stated, "RIMA has been trained with deep learning on big data of over 100,000 pieces of music and performances, allowing it to play and create music in various genres such as classical, jazz, Korean traditional music, new age, pop songs, and rock." He added that the technology applied includes deep learning to distinguish existing songs based on individual instruments by attaching a performance module to actual instruments, and the technology to convert this into playable data.
Admission for the general public to this '2021 AIoT International Exhibition,' which opened at COEX in Seoul, is possible until Friday, the 22nd.
Original article: http://www.sisaweek.com/news/curationView.html?idxno=148107