SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 18 June2019 - The Open Innovation Platform (OIP), an initiative byIMDA (Info-communications Media Development Authority), aims to acceleratedigital innovation by matching real business challenges of Problem Owners toProblem Solvers. Connectome has put up two problem statements related to HumanAI Assistant technology platform on the OIP.

Connectome Pte Ltd (Main office: Singapore, Representative: YasunoriMotani, below referred to as "Connectome Ltd.")  is participating in the Open Innovation Platform(OIP) as a Problem Owner, looking for potential solvers to develop andimplement practical applications of Human form AI assistants, known as VHAs(Virtual Human Agents).

The OIP is a virtual crowd-sourcing platformthat connects and matches real business challenges or digitalisationopportunities of Problem Owners to Problem Solvers. The OIP accelerates digitaltransformation and expands innovation capacity in our ecosystem; Problem Ownersbenefit from access to a large community of Problem Solvers withmulti-disciplinary tech expertise, while Problem Solvers on the OIP have accessto potential customers and co-innovation opportunities.  

World-leadingcorporations as well as government agencies and SMEs are also participating asProblem Owners in this innovation call.

A keyfeature of Connectome Project: VHA（VirtualHuman Agent） is a Virtual Character thatpossesses visual, audio and other sensory capabilities, as well as emotionaland cognitive abilities.  VHAs arecapable of learning mechanical functions, differentiating images andrecognizing audio, enabling them to fully grasp events and situations based onreal-time footage, and react or respond using its original AI character, oroperate synced interior appliances, etc., all the while thinking andcommunicating as real humans would.

Whilethe VHA technology has already proven its ability to understand to users'emotions and intentions, as well as express its own emotions when responding asreal humans would, the two problem challenges presented on the OIP to furtherdevelop the technology's potential are:

• 5G-Enabled Solution forVirtual Human Assistant

Allowingfor shorter delays and larger capacity, 5G data communication technology isexpected to open up a vast array of new possibilities and opportunities forbusiness across many industries. Aspiring to achieve VHA implementation, Connectome aim to performtesting of VHA applications in 5G environments with capable partners.  Potential partners include businesses withoptimal 5G, network, system resources, and related operating knowledge readilyavailable, or providers of Smart Glasses, Hologram, etc., whose devices canperform 5G operations at full strength and capacity. 

• Virtual Human Assistant forHomecare

TheHome Care Service space is facing a host of challenges and issues awaiting resolution,such as sub-replacement fertility, aging society, labour shortage, increasedneed for safety and usability, etc.. To devise solutions for these unresolvedissues, Connectome is inviting potential partners, such as providers of medicalequipment and devices or medical services, to collaborate on the successfuldevelopment of a VHA prototype for usage in the home care service space.

ConnectomeProject aims to propel the adoption of Japan's advanced technologies onto aglobal scale through an open innovation approach by collaborating withSingapore, where the practical application of innovative technology to societyis highly regarded and nurtured.

Theapplication phase for the current innovation call is now open until June 21st(Fri.) at 1600 hours. For more information, please check: https://www.openinnovation.sg/challenges

Regarding Open Innovation Platform

The Open Innovation Platform (OIP), aninitiative of IMDA, is a virtual crowd-sourcing platform that connects andmatches Problem Owners and Problem Solvers, building up digital innovationcapabilities for both large and small enterprises.

Regarding Connectome

Connectome's Virtual Human Agent (VHA)technology will replace smartphones and smart speakers as the ultimateinterface of the future.  VHAs are humanform AI assistants "" that bring together a combination of advancedtechnology consisting of AI・Blockchain・AR, to help build a future where humans cantrust AI.