President Seok Jae-bum of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Promotion ((IITP).

The Institute of Information and Communication Technology Promotion ((IITP) has continued to offer its support to startups via the ICT Device Lab without interruption, despite the spread of COVID-19.

The ICT Device Lab, an open lab to support the production of creative devices in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, has been shut down due to the government’s policies of practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, the open lab has gone online to educate on the production of devices.

Developers, startups and SMEs using ICT Device Lab are able to produce prototype products remotely and receive online delivery services.

The remote production of prototype products is done in all stages, including application, consultation, production and delivery, in a contactless fashion. When the design is sent by users who want remote production via the CT Device Lab website, consultations begin via calls and teleconferences with officials in charge.

IITP has equipment to facilitate the remote production of prototypes, such as industrial 3D printers, quadruplet CNC machines, and laser cutters. If necessary, other infrastructure may be mobilized to raise quality levels of outcomes.

Finished prototype products are delivered via online shipment. In the case of the probability of partial damages in the course of delivery, outcomes can be made available via unmanned storage boxes of the CT Device Lab.

IITP President Seok Jae-bum said, “As all the people have joined in social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ICT Device Lab has introduced a fresh idea of changing an off-line production support method into a contactless one.”

IITP plans to conduct its utmost efforts to provide support to help Korean companies overcome hardships in a wise fashion, even if the current situation is protracted, he said.

IITP President Seok Jae-bum and Yeuseong Mayor Chung Yong-rae attend a ceremony in which IITP delivered funds and relief goods to help neighbors suffering the hardships, caused by the spread of COVID-19. (Photos: IITP)

IITP Extends Helping Hand to Neighbors Struggling with Spread of COVID-19

IITP conducted diverse sharing activities, such as the delivery of funds and relief goods to help neighbors suffering hardships caused by the spread of COVID-19.

In March, 219 IITP officials participated in a voluntary fundraising drive and chipped in 5.5 million won. They produced relief kits consisting of face masks, hand sanitizer and HMRs. The items were donated to the Yuseong Ward Office in Daejeon, which will distribute them to low-income families suffering from hard times.

IITP also bought 113 kg of water parsley from farmers in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, who saw sales plunge in the wake of the economic fallout from the spread of COVID-19.

IITP President Seok said, “I hope that even though purchase amounts are not big, IITP staffers’ warm-heartedness will be conveyed to regional community neighbors and people suffering from hardships to help them overcome the hardships, caused by the spreads of COVID-19.”

He wished that residents in Cheongdo County who have seen orders decline due to the spread of COVID-19 would not lose courage and hope, he said.