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SK Telecom unveils ‘5G Smart Office’ at press conference

Published : Friday, March 1, 2019, 10:19 pm
ACROFAN=Bora Kim | bora.kim@acrofan.com | SNS
On February 13, SK Telecom introduced a 5G Smart Office at the press conference held at Centropolis Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The event was held to show ‘5G Smart Office’ that had been operating for a month as a test bed, and was attended by the officials of SK Telecom including Sang-kyu Shin, Head of ER Group, Nak-hoon Choi, Leader of 5GX IoT and Data Group, Kyung-nam Kim, Leader of Security Labs, and Jin-soo Jeon, Leader of Media Labs.

Sang-kyu Shin, Head of ER Group at SK Telecom, said, “As the 5G environment was approaching, we wondered what the office would be like for a new trend and a new way of working. Then we thought that working smart means enabling collaboration, communication, and immersion. Through the combination of 5G and ICT technology with ‘Agile’ method, 5G Smart Office is not simply space innovation, but a solution that can maximize flexibility of the organization and increase work productivity and ‘Work & Life Balance’ at the same time.”

5G Smart Office is a core of SK Telecom’s state-of-the-art technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, security, AR and VR. It is a place where people, space, devices, sensors, etc. can exchange data with each other through 5G and work without time-space constraints. Through 5G, employees can send large data, such as hologram stereoscopic images, directly to the remote partner. In addition, collaboration in real time is possible, making it easier and more efficient to handle tasks, and AI can handle simple tasks such as meeting room reservation recommendation and air conditioning operation.

SK Telecom will consider the ways to give shape to business models through partnerships with various companies, including cloud operators, hardware and software partners, and security solution companies, built during one-month test bed period of 5G Smart Office.

▲ SK Telecom unveiled ‘5G Smart Office’ at the press conference.

▲ Sang-kyu Shin, Head of ER Group, Nak-hoon Choi, Leader of 5GX IoT and Data Group, Kyung-nam Kim, Leader of Security Labs, and Jin-soo Jeon, Leader of Media Labs

SK Telecom installed about 2,000 IoT sensors, including office ceilings, parking lots, corridors as well as intelligent CCTVs, AI vending machines, and toilet doorsteps of 5G Smart Office. Through this sensor, various information including environmental factors inside the office, device states, and frequency of use is collected in real time and transmitted to the server. The AI-based Deep Learning technology receives the collected data and automatically performs effective space management such as controlling the air conditioner to provide the optimal work environment and relocating the less frequently used space through analysis of the space usage information.

In addition, SK Telecom expects that a huge amount of data will be collected from a large number of sensors and devices with the expansion of offices and buildings using 5G and AI, and Massive IoT technology that enables simultaneous connection of 1 million devices within 1 square kilometer will enable more efficient resource management, system control and security.

In 5G Smart Office, there are four smart office solutions that integrated new ICT technologies including 5G and AI; 5G Walking-through System, 5G VDI Docking System, T Real Telepresence, and 5G Cafeteria.

5G Walking-through System is a system that the camera recognizes faces through the use of image analysis technology and AI’s deep learning technology and allows employees access easily without a pass card or fingerprint recognition. AI finds about 3,000 features, such as facial skin tone, skeleton, and hair, to determine if they are accessible. Even if they do not have an ID or pass card, they can access faster and easier than iris recognition if their faces are registered. On top of that, if employees wear glasses or have twins, they will be recognized differently. Meanwhile, SK Telecom introduced that a care service for employee is in preparation. Through an emotional analysis using the AI camera, the care service will recommend a seat with sunlight or a relaxation with a cup of sweet coffee to the employee of angry facial expressions.

5G VDI Docking System is a system that can work with the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) by plugging the smartphone into the docking pad without a laptop or a PC. The virtualization of the central server desktop is shown on the screen and can be connected to Android or iOS. If the introduction of 5G VDI Docking System increases in the future, through the network slicing technology, which is one of the 5G core technologies, the physical network can be divided and used according to data demand so that the stability and operation efficiency will be maximized. On top of that, since the separated networks are operated completely independent and free from interference by other networks, they are highly secure.

A mixed reality technology that can transcend virtual and reality, T Real Telepresence is a service that combines VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality). The service allows conference participants from far away to simultaneously log on and feel as if they were actually in the same room. Through AR glass, it is possible to view a mass image data in a virtual space or open a 3D design drawing during a meeting. When 5G becomes common, it is expected to realize a remote video conference based on a hologram.

Lastly, 5G Cafeteria has a resting space for employees such as an AI vending machine and barista robot. The AI vending machine uses image analysis technology to automatically recognize an employee and calculate when the employee takes out the drink. The barista robot makes the coffee menu that the employee wants and informs through smartphone. In the future, VR social karaoke will be introduced to make it a space where employees can relax even if they do not go out of the office.

Besides, 5G Smart Office reduces or eliminates individuals’ facilities such as executive offices, fixed seats, cables, partitions, etc., and consists of a virtual meeting room, a lounge, and an intensive business room where many people can communicate and collaborate. According to the survey conducted on about 300 employees working at 5G Smart Office by SK Telecom, the positive effects were obtained from various factors. Specifically, the satisfaction level of Work & Life Balance was improved by 80% and the number of communication and collaboration was increased by 59%.

As for the business direction of 5G Smart Office, leader Nak-hoon Choi explained, “The 5G Smart Office is a shared combination of space, technology, and people, and as a result, it enhanced productivity of a company and convenience of employees. Through a 5G technology, a fast, secure and convenient working environment is created, and new space is designed by collecting data from employees with different working patterns. Through AI, non-essential tasks are reduced and employees can focus on core tasks.”

▲ Through 5G Walking-through System, employees can conveniently enter and exit without a pass card or fingerprint recognition.

▲ 5G VDI docking system immediately interconnect the desktop environment and the smartphone when the smartphone is plugged in the docking pad.

▲ 5G Cafeteria's AI vending machine recognizes employees through image analysis technology and automatically calculates when drinks are taken out.

▲ The survey conducted on the employee working in 5G Smart Office shows that many factors brought positive effects.

▲ “5G Smart Office is a shared combination of space, technology, and people, and as a result, it enhanced productivity of a company and convenience of employees.” said Nak-hoon Choi, Leader of 5GX IoT and Data Group at SK Telecom.


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