Dignitaries, including IITP President Lee Sang-hong, Vice Minister Choi Jae-yu of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP), ETRI President Lee Sang-hoon and TTA Chairman Park Jae-moon, look at the exhibits on display at the 2017 ICT Tech Commercialization Festival at the COEX in Seoul.

The 2017 ICT Tech Commercialization Festival that wrapped up a four-day run at COEX in Seoul from May 27 attracted approximately 60,000 spectators.

Hosted by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) and organized by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Promotion (IITP), the ICT Commercialization Festival served as an opportunity to not only display successful outcomes of ICT R&D projects supported by the MSIP and IITP but also demonstrate about 180 ICT technologies leading the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The exhibition was also an event designed to commercialize technologies by helping companies and researchers exchange information and promote collaboration. Spectators were given a chance to look at a diverse range of advanced technologies, including IoT, security, smart life and artificial intelligence. In particular, spectators were allowed to participate in hands-on programs in which they took a first-hand look at advanced technologies and test-operated them through real media and VR-related technologies. Despite a long waiting time, the programs attracted throngs of spectators. 

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) and other state-financed research institutions held explanation sessions to sell their own technologies. 

The exhibition bore fruit as it facilitated about 7,000 meetings on technologies the ETRI introduced or displayed. Attracting keen public attention was a session presenting successful practices for technology commercialization, a forum on technology standardization and workshops on market issues related to AI/IlT, FinTech and other technologies related to the 4th Industrial Revolution. IITP President Lee Sang-hong said, “We will devote ourselves to making the 2017 ICT Tech Commercialization Festival a public festival focusing on communication and sharing through outcomes of R&D activities.” 

A student experiences a bobsleigh using VR at the 2017 ICT Tech Commercialization Festival.

Parents and their children experience VR, AR hands-on content using motion chairs at the 2017 ICT Tech Commercialization Festival.  (Photos: IITP)