Korean IT companies throw spotlight on AI, robotics at World IT Show

Visitors are seen at the World IT Show held at the COEX convention center in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Local tech show features 447 firms to introduce IT trends

By Baek Byung-yeul

Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Telecom, KT and other Korean IT companies are exhibiting their new technologies and products focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), robotics and gadget connectivity at this year's World IT Show (WIS), according to the companies, Wednesday.

Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the WIS is the country's largest IT show, shedding light on the nation's IT industry. This year's WIS tech exhibition takes place for three days from Wednesday to Friday, at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul.

The WIS features 447 companies from nine countries, dealing with the latest digital technologies such as AI-related products, internet of things (IoT), metaverse-related technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and XR, mobility, robots, blockchain and digital healthcare.

A spokesman of the event organizer said what should be noted at this year's tech show is that more software companies participated, unlike previous events that showed strength in hardware technology such as manufacturing.

"The participating companies at this year's exhibition have a much higher emphasis on software technologies such as digital twin and AI, rather than hardware. The purpose of these companies' participation is to promote their technological capabilities in such areas and meet with buyers through marketplaces like ours," Kim Hyun-wook, head of the World IT Show PR team, told The Korea Times.

"The WIS provides visitors an opportunity to gain an overall understanding of the technological capabilities of individual companies and the positioning of domestic IT companies compared to global companies."

Visitors to the World IT Show try out Samsung Electronics' mobile devices at the COEX convention center in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

"Given the trend of digitalization becoming closer to everyday life with the recent emergence of ChatGPT, the World IT Show is very important as a platform for the public to experience excellent digital innovation products and services that are permeating our daily lives and to promote them to the world," Lee Jong-ho, minister of the Science and ICT, who visited the exhibition hall, said.

"The government will continue to provide a variety of policy support to help Korea become a world-class digital exemplar and for outstanding domestic digital companies to lead the global market," the minister added.

Among major companies, Samsung Electronics is displaying mobile products such as the Galaxy S23 smartphones, tablet PCs and smartwatches.

The company aims to let visitors experience superior connectivity features between its Galaxy gadgets at the WIS.

"We have organized our booth focusing on letting more visitors experience various mobile gadgets," a Samsung spokesman said.

LG Electronics showcased the new edition of its LG CLOi ServeBot delivery robot that can be used in restaurants as a server.

Following the first-generation robot in 2020 and the second in 2021, the third generation has more reliability when serving, LG said.

"By applying independent suspensions to six wheels, the serving robot runs stably on an irregular store floor even if it carries soup, noodles and drinks. The spillage of soup, caused by sudden stop and go and tremors, is also minimized," the company said.

SK Telecom and KT, leading mobile carriers here, have showcased innovative digital technologies and services such as AI, metaverse and urban air mobility.

SKT decorated more than half of its promotional booth as a space to introduce various AI services so visitors can experience its various AI technologies and services.

KT is displaying indoor robots and service robots as well as a delivery robot that can deliver products in cold or hot weather conditions.

"KT's exhibition booth consists of three zones including AI, robots and networks. We have set up a booth under the theme of digital transformation. KT's digital platform future technologies that meet in the real life of people will be delivered to visitors," the company said.

Visitors can not only see the technologies and products of companies but also experience the research achievements of universities in digital technology as 29 universities also joined the tech show.

"We will actively operate the event so it is recognized as an opportunity for startups, which are the driver for future growth of the ICT market, global big companies and ICT research and support organizations and groups to create various business connections," the spokesman said.

Seen is a promotional booth of LG Electronics during the World IT Show held at the COEX convention center in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of LG Electronics

WIS helps startups overcome Death Valley

The organizer added the WIS event provides a precious opportunity for startups to overcome Death Valley, which describes the situation many startups encounter, having difficulties generating the necessary revenue early on, by offering linkage programs with investors.

"A new program for the event this year is the 'Mingling Zone,' a business connecting program where buyers and investors can connect with well-known startups that have innovative technology in partnership with private companies, and find opportunities to discover new businesses, collaborate and invest," the organizers said. "In a time when the global financial situation is serious, this event is expected to feel like welcome rain to around 130 participating startups."

The WIS PR team head said they expect the tech show to contribute greatly to enriching Korea's startup ecosystem.

"In the case of system semiconductors, it is not enough for just a few large companies to excel, as it is not solely dependent on Samsung Electronics' performance," Kim said. "It is important to have many small but innovative companies with cutting-edge technologies. To create such an ecosystem, the most crucial aspect is attracting continuous investment, and this exhibition provides such opportunities to startups."