Public-PrivatePartnership R&D Lab Integrates Business Innovation and Product DevelopmentCapabilities to Drive Singapore Ecosystem Ahead in Industry 4.0

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 26 October 2018 - Internet of Things (IoT) and smart wearablecompany KaHatoday announced plans to open a multipartite innovation and research lab inSingapore, modelled after the network philosophy of IoT and created in responseto market demands for faster development and commercialization. Public andprivate partners across the IoT development value chain including A*STARSIMTech, Bridgestone, Curtis Australia, MHA Manufacture de Haute AccessoiriePartners, Tex Line and Titan, will come together under-one-roof to streamlinedevelopment resulting in faster prototyping, testing, and go-to-market.

The new multipartite COVE R2C IoT Innovation Lab will find its home in the vibrant one-north technology hub of Singapore 

Designedfor efficient multi-party collaboration, the various development stations willbe onsite and in close proximity - from business to project management,hardware to software, prototyping to testing, and from remodification up todelivery. Development time and costs will be greatly reduced, for instancespeeding up schedules of weeks into just days. Whereas in conventionalprocessing, work is done piecemeal and transported partially and gradually atintervals, and delays occur frequently and are exacerbated by minor changes.

The lab'score infrastructure is the KaHa platform and its AI capabilities. KaHa has overthe past 3 years developed an architecture which is unparalleled and optimisedfor consumer-centric experiences like health and wellness, fitness and sports,digital payment and safety. The company has big data architecture and tools forartificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and recently its proof-of-concepton natural language processing (NLP). The company has also created a Network OperationsLab (NOC) that  facilitates theproof-of-concept process through real-time testing of available/simulated datawith live demonstrations all within the same space. Regular reviews at the NOCwill ensure data integrity and projects timeliness.

The labis located at the vibrant one-north technology hub of Singapore and the launchis targeted for initial projects in healthcare and wellness, smart apparels,sensor hub and power consumption. The lab will also work with KaHa's brandpartners and co-plan their roadmap and play the role of bringing allstakeholders towards achieving these use case on smart wearables, as well asthe building of a comprehensive healthcare IoT ecosystem capable of integratingmedtech and public-private healthcare and related service providers. The pioneeringpartners are:

• KaHa: Singapore-based and theregion's only end-to-end IoT and smart wearable platform company with patentsin IoT platform architecture. KaHa possesses deep industry links, includingbeing the strategic partner for A*STAR SIMTech and EAC flagship industryprogrammes.
• A*STAR SIMTech: SingaporeInstitute of Manufacturing Technology develops high value manufacturingtechnology and human capital to contribute to the competitiveness of Singaporeindustry.
• Bridgestone:  A Hong Kong-based watch manufacturer withInternational reach including its own production base in China.  The company specializes in creative design,production and sales of lifestyle and fashion watches.
• Curtis Australia: With a heritagefrom the 1890's, an international jewellery,watch and pen atelier known for its distinctive, handmade and desirable luxuryproducts crafted in solid carat golds and precious gems.
• MHA Manufacture de HauteAccessoirie Partners: A division of Niklaus LNI SA, established over 110 yearsago on the foundation of swiss watch manufacturing, MHA is the premier Swissdesigner and manufacturer of private label luxury accessories.
• Tex Line: A one-stop apparel andsportswear sourcing supply chain and service provider, with reliable capabilityin overseeing sourcing to production and delivery.
• Titan Company Limited: The fifthlargest integrated own brand watch manufacturer in the world. Over the lastthree decades, Titan has expanded and explored into under penetrated marketsand created leading brands across categories.

IoT andthe smart wearables industry will touch the lives of over a billion people inthe next 5 years with a market value of close to USD120B. With  KaHa's proprietary platform coupled with the presenceand expertise of local and international partners, the lab will be a driver ofgrowth for the Singapore IoT and wearable ecosystem having a global impact. KaHaplans to hire and train locals talents and create a  strong local capability and know-how, and helpstrengthen the Singapore core and competitive edge for Industry 4.0.

Managedby a head of lab with end-to-end IoT experience, the lab will provideopportunities for jobs and upskilling The lab will also host hackathons andrelease software development kits (SDK), with the latest tools in areasincluding AI, Machine Learning, NLP, Big Data and health-oriented algorithms, digitalpayment, enabling participants to problem-solve real use cases and understandhow their work contributes towards building the ecosystem.

CEO and founderof KaHa, Pawan Gandhi comments, "As a home-grown company committed to thedevelopment of the local IoT and wearable ecosystem, it's important that we havecore development capabilities here in Singapore that can capitalize onopportunities and respond to market demands quickly. We are also activelyengaging ETPL, the commercialization arm of A*STAR to harness local industryexpertise to boost the nation innovation engine. We have taken the philosophyof IoT and connectivity to heart, ensuring we have oversight and responsibilityeach step of the way, while becoming even more nimble and flexible to cater tomanufacturers' needs faster."

Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director of SIMTech added,"SIMTech has had a long history of collaborating with the industry. We havepartnered KaHa in our emerging applications programmes over the past years, andI am happy to see that it has yielded innovative breakthroughs in IoT and smartwearable technology that will significantly contribute to the local ecosystem.We are pleased to take our partnership to the next level and work together with COVE R2C IoT Innovation Lab to speed up thedevelopment and commercialization of emerging technologies to drive Singapore's advancedmanufacturing industry."

Vice President of Bridgestone Watch LTD, Ray Lin added"Providing the best quality products and services to our customers hasalways been our formula of success.  Therefore it is an honour to be ableto join hands with so many industry leaders and together, and continue to innovateand create some of the best watches in the world.  We look forward tocontributing our expertise and also bring these innovation to our customers andthe market.

CEO ofCurtis Australia, Glenn Curtis comments "The high-end luxury timepiece andjewelry market is seeing an evolution as even the most discerning ultra-highnetworth clientele develops interest in smart wearable technology functionssimply because they have become ubiquitous and improve living habits. As apartner in the research center, Curtis will contribute design knowledge throughyears of handcrafting the finest timepieces and writing instruments and gainfirst-hand understanding of the most efficient ways of incorporating smarttechnology."

CEO ofMHA, Andy Ras-Wok added "With decades of private-label specialist manufacturingexperience in luxury accessories from jewellery to writing instruments, we arekeenly aware of the exciting opportunity IoT and smart wearables present to theinternational luxury market. This is a great opportunity to enhance our valuenetwork internationally and work with specialist partners. We are especiallyexcited to represent the Swiss brand of manufacturing in this collaboration,and are already thinking of further bringing on fellow Swiss partners to the lab."

CMO of Titan, SuparnaMitra comments "As the global wave of wearable anddigital innovation continues to rise, Titan too is proactively creating newlifestyle products and experiences for everyone, especially today's millennialconsumers.  The success of many of oursmart watches powered by KaHa IoT technology confirms our investment into smartwearables. Participation in the lab will further our partnership with KaHa asour technology collaborator and strengthen Titan as the leader in watches andaccessories."

Product Manager ofTex Line, Justin Tan added "Through our years of building up expertise andrelationships in the apparel and sporting goods industry, we pride ourselves onour constant ability to offer our customers cost-competitiveness and quality.As the highly-competitive sports apparel market moves into smart wearables, wemust stay ahead of the curve by re-thinking how we can accelerate productdevelopment and cut go-to-market time. COVE R2C IoT Innovation Lab will provide our industry an importantadvantage."

AboutKaHa

KaHa, aSingapore-based technology company, has offices in Singapore, China, India andSwitzerland. The company has customers and partners around the world spanningacross high-end luxury, financial services, digital payment, smart automotive,jewelleries and accessories, health and wellness, OEM and smart apparel. COVE,a registered brand of KaHa, is a patented end-to-end IoT SMART wearablesplatform and provides a one-stop solution for brands to bring exciting smartwearables to their customers, with reduced go-to-market time and costs.

Within-built Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms, COVE providesinnovative, exciting and personalized user experiences that are speciallydesigned with a range of consumer verticals in mind: Safety, Sports &Fitness, Health & Wellness, Digital Payment, Smart Home, Smart Automotiveand Special Needs. The platform includes electronics design, printed circuitboard assembly, application framework for iOS and Android, cloud services, dataanalytics and smart after-sales service tool.

Thecompany's leadership team is passionate about the consumer journey, and thecompany also has intellectual properties in Smart Analogue watches, making itone of the most unique offerings in the fast-growing wearables market.

For more information, please visit www.coveiot.com

About the Agency for Science, Technology andResearch (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research(A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economicoriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovativetechnology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in boththe public and private sectors to benefit society.

As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STARbridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economicgrowth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societalbenefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, andsustainability.

We play a key role in nurturing and developing adiversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, thewider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities spanbiomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering, with researchentities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.

For more information, please visit https://www.a-star.edu.sg/

Aboutthe A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)

The SingaporeInstitute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) develops high-valuemanufacturing technology and human capital to contribute to the competitivenessof the Singapore industry. It collaborates with multinational and localcompanies in the precision engineering, electronics, semiconductor, medicaltechnology, aerospace, automotive, marine, logistics and other sectors.

SIMTech is a researchinstitute of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Agencyfor Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

For more information,please visit: www.SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg

About BridgestoneWatch LTD.

A Hong Kong-basedwatch manufacturer with international reach including its own production basein China.  The company specializes in creative design, production andsales of lifestyle and fashion watches.  Established in1974,  the Group has been contributing in watchmaking industryfor more than 40 years. Over the past decades, the company has expanded to aglobal leader in watchmaking business through their enthusiastic mindset andcontinuous quality improvement.

About Curtis Australia

Curtis Australia is an internationaljewelry, watch and pen atelier known for its distinctive, handmade anddesirable luxury products crafted in solid carat golds and precious gems.Designed and created in house and known worldwide for their exquisitecraftsmanship and unrivalled design, Curtis strives for excellence at everytouch point, an approach that has drawn recognition from around the globe.

For further information, please visit www.curtisaustralia.com

About MHAManufacture de Haute Accessoirie

MHAManufacture de Haute Accessoirie is a division of Niklaus LNI SA, and part ofthe LN Industries group, a Swiss-based industrial supplier active in a widerange of areas, from metal tubing to gas mixers and generators. A private labelspecialist of luxury accessories created in 1905, the MHA Division has beendesigning and manufacturing accessories and unique objects for the mostprestigious brands.

Forfurther information, please visit www.mhageneve.com

About Tex Line

Tex Line Associates has close to 40 years' experience inapparel and sports equipment manufacturing and sourcing. We are present in keymanufacturing territories such as China, South East Asia, India, Bangladesh andPakistan. The ability to be nimble and provide options to our customers thatmaximizes the strengths of each manufacturing country is key in the industry andvalued by our clients. We also value add through fabric and trims sourcing,European design proposals, and are gearing towards environmentally friendlymanufacturing. Tex Line's latest venture is into smart apparels where weforesee technology assisted garments will gain popularity in this high techworld.  

For further information, please visit www.texline-global.com

About Titan Company Limited

Titan Company Limited (earlier known as TitanIndustries Limited), a joint venture between the Tamil Nadu IndustrialDevelopment Corporation (TIDCO) and Tata Group, commenced operations in 1987under the name Titan Watches Limited. In 1994, Titan diversified into Jewelleryand subsequently into eyewear with Titan Eyeplus. In 2013, Titan entered thefragrances segment with SKINN.  Today,Titan Company Limited, India's unchallenged leader in watches, jewellery andeyewear, is credited with changing the face of all these industries.

For further information, please visit www.titan.co.in