Stuck in a creativity slump at work? Here are some surprising ways to get your spark back 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Sanofi Reports Positive Late-Stage Results for Amlitelimab in Eczema Treatment 
South Korea Seeks Favorable U.S. Tariff Terms on Memory Chip Imports 
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated 
Hermès Menswear Marks Historic Transition as Véronique Nichanian Bids Farewell in Paris 
ByteDance Finalizes Majority U.S.-Owned TikTok Joint Venture to Avert American Ban 
The American mass exodus to Canada amid Trump 2.0 has yet to materialize 
How to support someone who is grieving: five research-backed strategies 
TSMC Shares Hit Record High as AI Chip Demand Fuels Strong Q4 Earnings 
SEC Drops Gemini Enforcement Case After Full Repayment to Earn Investors 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
Elon Musk Says Tesla Cybercab and Optimus Production Will Start Slowly Before Rapid Growth 
JPMorgan and Allen & Company Emerge as Big Winners in Warner Bros Discovery Bidding War 
Morgan Stanley Flags High Volatility Ahead for Tesla Stock on Robotaxi and AI Updates 
In partnership with tech giants Samsung, LG, and Hyundai E&C, the South Korean government announces its initiative to bolster the smart home industry, domestically and globally. This venture, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT, promises prosperous opportunities for IT, construction, and home interior companies in the home automation sector.
During a meeting in Seoul, the Ministry of Science and ICT and experts from Samsung, LG, Hyundai E&C, and interior design companies such as Hanssem and Korean Land & Housing Corporation discussed the development of a robust smart home ecosystem. A smart home refers to an Internet of Things (IoT) system that wirelessly controls multiple devices and applications at home.
Historically, the lack of integration among various companies' IoT platforms hindered users from conveniently accessing integrated services. However, the landscape has evolved since introducing the unified IoT protocol called Matter, spearheaded by major tech companies.
In October 2022, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), led by global tech giants like Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Google, Amazon, and Apple, announced the creation of the IoT standard protocol, Matter. This protocol aims to support interworking and control between different IoT devices and has already attracted the participation of approximately 530 companies.
During the discussion, participants acknowledged that the domestic smart home industry faces obstacles in device development and investment, particularly affecting small and medium-sized companies due to the diverse platform environments set up by industry leaders in IT.
To address this challenge, the participants emphasized the need for collaboration among smart home-related companies, leveraging the recently introduced Matter standard. Additionally, they explored ways to enhance the domestic industry's competitiveness by harnessing artificial intelligence.
The ICT ministry facilitated discussions on public-private cooperation, including the widespread adoption of smart homes in existing and new residential buildings, the establishment of an intelligent smart home alliance, and the reinforcement of security measures.
According to a local pollster Open Survey survey, approximately half of South Korean consumers already own smart home appliances, with a significant number expressing their intention to purchase them in the future. This demonstrates the growing interest and potential in the smart home market.
By fostering innovation, collaboration, and public-private partnerships, the government aims to drive the smart home industry forward and meet the evolving needs of consumers in pursuing a connected and automated lifestyle.
Photo: Chauhan Moniz/Unsplash
