TAKE a walk at a mega technology event like the recent CommunicAsia2017 in Singapore and you can see how new technologies are shaping our lives, transforming how we live, learn, work and play.
The event, held over three days at Marina Bay Sands and Suntec Singapore (BroadcastAsia2017), showcased how emerging technologies such as virtual reality, Internet of Things, smart cities, robotics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 5G, satellite communications, broadcast and security can be leveraged on to build a “smarter’ future”.
The exhibitions span 65,000sq m across Marina Bay Sands and Suntec Singapore, hosting 1,800 exhibitors from 62 countries.
This year, it drew over 40,000 trade attendees with 45 per cent coming from overseas.
“As organisers, we are proud to present an event that aligns with the region’s initiatives in advancing Asia’s digital transformation. Committed to delivering a platform that fosters international collaborations, CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia are at the forefront of technological evolution with a global showcase of game-changing innovations that our attendees can look forward to discovering every year,” said Victor Wong, UBM SES project director of communications events.
UBM SES is the organiser of this exhibition.
VIRTUAL REALITY RULES
VR technology, which is often associated with games and entertainment, showed its true potential at the event.
VR headsets as a means to deliver content and services were prominent. They are not just meant for entertainment, but also to assist people's day to day activities.
At the Infocomm Media Development Authority pavillion, for example, a company called Beach House Studios showcased how VR technology can be used in education.
It created Singapore’s first curriculum-based educational VR lessons titled Follow Me where VR is used to conduct “field trips” without students having to leave the classroom.
In the medical sector,TTSH Consultant showed how VR headsets like the HTV Vive is used in training.
It uses VR, mixed reality and augmented reality to simulate an environment in an operation theatre where medical students and medical practitioners can perform operations on patients in a virtual environment.
VR indeed has a bright future, based on research company Futuresource forecast that 90 million VR and AR units will be being sold annually around the world by 2021.
Besides Samsung VR and HTC Vive, the new Microsoft VR headset, HoloLens, also debuted at CommunicAsia. HoloLens is made by HelloHolo.
There was also a Virtual Reality Cinema where visitors watched movies in a whole new way - 360 degrees.
SMART LIVING
Designed to be a showcase for everything “smart” and “connected”, this year's CommunicAsia was also big on IoT, smart homes, robotics and drones.
Among the highlights were Huawei’s cloud and IoT ecosystem, and OTSAW’s O-R3, a security robot with land and air surveillance capabilities.
Made by Singapore start-up OTSAW, the golf-buggy-sized O-R3 is a four-wheeled security robot with its own built-in drone.
With profound situation discernment and intuitive environment orientation, O-R3 detects anomalies, avoids obstacles and self-charges.
The robot has an array of cameras that serve specialised functions such as thermal imaging, facial and license plate recognition, and stereo photography. O-R3 is able to capture and access a wide range of data.
While the OTSAW’s O-R3 may look serious, security robot IJini from Korea' Innoplaylab can be the perfect home robot.
The puppy-sized robot, with a cute face interface, can do a lot of things in the home, such as patrol inside the house.
Itrecharges itself and takes videos and photos and send them to you if there's abnormality in the house.
The robot is priced at US$650 (RM2,791).
Korean company MiDAS gives a new meaning to childcare with its wearable thermometer connected to an app to give a flu diagnosis, complete with doctor’s advice via the app, 24X7.
On the smarthome front, Malaysian tech maker Newict Marketing displayed its range of smart wireless sensors, IoT gateway devices, and switches that enable people to control lights and air-conditioning via apps from anywhere in the world.
Another interesting new technology showcased was the drone detection and jammer system,by Singapore-based TRD Consuntancy.
The Orion anti-drone system detects drone threats and immobilises by jamming the GPS signal.
FUTURE IN BROADCASTING
As Asian broadcasters move to IP-based systems, the event also saw the inauguration of the Broadcast IP Inter-Op Lab which can capture, ingest, edit and distribute over-the-top content, all Internet protocol in real-time. Visitors got hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technologies on IP broadcasting for both audio and video, wireless production and immersive technology.
Filmmakers and producers at BroadcastAsia2017 had access to some of the latest and best equipment and production software from ARRI, AVID, DELL EMC, RED, Bokkeh and Zeiss. Visitors also got the chance to inspect Panasonic’s small cinema camera and 360-degree camera system, along with its 4K studio and VariCam production cameras.
TECH TALK
Besides the ground exhibition, tech talks on various topics such as Smart Cities, securities and other related topics were also held.
Malaysia’s Iskandar Regional Development Authority gave insight into its smart city project in Johor.
Other experts from around the world also shared their views on their respective smart city initiatives.
In short, the CommunicAsia2017 did not only offer a valuable insight into current technologies, but also what’s in thefuture that will impact our lives.