Summary

• Last week in Purmamarca, Jujuy Province, Argentina, the Government of Jujuy, uSound and Samsung Electronics Argentina signed an agreement to help residents of Jujuy detect potential hearing loss and provide steps to minimize its impact
• The project, dubbed uSound for Samsung, will help give Jujueños access to a simple three-step preliminary diagnosis^* that can be done on a smartphone

The Problem

According to WHO, over 5% of the world’s population – or 466 million people – have disabling hearing loss. In Argentina, hearing impairment constitutes 18% of the existing disabilities – 86.6% of which experience hearing difficulties; 13.4% are deaf.

While those diagnosed with hearing loss can take necessary actions for their individual cases – taking preventive measures to avoid total deafness, getting hearing aids, learning sign language, etc. – those who do not know what’s happening to them are subject to a more frustrating experience. This is especially true for children who may lose the chance to develop their cognitive skills and pursue higher education.

Using Technology to Bridge the Gap

uSound for Samsung is an initiative designed to bring technology to people with hearing loss – to help detect the risk of hearing loss and thus improve their quality of life in such essential aspects as communication and education.

uSound for Samsung enables users to detect risk of hearing loss free of charge

uSound Test is an application that allows users to detect their risk of hearing loss for free. In about 10 minutes, the app reproduces pre-calibrated sounds that users give feedback to. Comparing the results with its database, the app detects specific frequencies the user has difficulty hearing. uSound Test then analyzes the auditory curve that results from the whole test to determine the degree of risk of hearing loss in the person.

Once finalized, uSound for Samsung issues a report with the result, which is a risk indicator that allows users to take corresponding actions. This test is not a medical diagnosis so the app will recommend support from hearing health specialists when needed.

Through uSound for Samsung, the company hopes to use its technology and resources to:

• Raise awareness about hearing loss and improve public policies
• Avoid irreversible damage to hearing organs
• Encourage learning and cognitive development for children
• Develop speech and facilitate social inclusion
• Contribute to a more egalitarian society

Working with the Community

The Government of Jujuy will provide support in resources and workspaces for the hearing loss-detection campaign. uSound will continue to help improve hearing experiences with its products, including the aforementioned test and an app that turns the cell phone into an auditory assistant^**. Samsung Electronics will provide the necessary technology to carry out a first pilot test of uSound Test in health centers across Jujuy as well as financially supporting the project.

As a team, the Government of Jujuy, uSound and Samsung Electronics Argentina will help give a larger part of the Argentine community access to tools to potentially change lives through the use of technology.

Eduardo Ezequiel Escobar, CEO, uSound (fifth from left), Sang Jik Lee, President, Samsung Electronics Argentina (seventh from left), Governor Gerardo Rubén Morales, Jujuy Province (eighth from left) and Dr. Gustavo Alfredo Bouhid, Minister of Health, Jujuy Province (ninth from left) pose with other related parties for a group picture commemorating the signing event

Quotes^***

• Governor Gerardo Rubén Morales, Jujuy Province: “It is a pleasure to accompany uSound, a company from Jujuy, take on its challenges. With the support of Samsung, this project will impact thousands of people with hearing problems. It is great that this project started in Jujuy. We hope it can be replicated throughout Argentina and in other countries – technological innovation knows no boundaries.”
• Ezequiel Escobar, CEO and co-founder, uSound: “We witnessed a truly historic opportunity for our company and for Jujuy. This plan, using our technologies, will benefit many people from Jujuy and has the potential to expand to help many more people around the world. We are talking about a huge impact that grows even more with the support from Samsung and the Ministry of Health of Jujuy.”
• Cynthia Giolito, Senior Manager, Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics Argentina: “uSound for Samsung reinforces our mission to offer technology with a purpose that improves quality of life. We are very proud to embark on this path and we hope to have solid results that will promote hearing accessibility in more places.”

Additional Image

Left to right: Eduardo Ezequiel Escobar, CEO, uSound, Sang Jik Lee, President, Samsung Electronics Argentina, Governor Gerardo Rubén Morales, Jujuy Province and Dr. Gustavo Alfredo Bouhid, Minister of Health, Jujuy Province sign an agreement to distribute uSound for Samsung in the Jujuy province to help residents detect risk of hearing loss

^* Not a medical diagnosis

^** Not a hearing aid

^*** Translated from Spanish and edited for clarity

Samsung Electronics today launched Samsung Newsroom Argentina, a Spanish-language news and communication platform that will provide Samsung-related content to local media and consumers.

Samsung Newsroom Argentina aims to share latest news about the company, recent innovations, corporate vision, CSR activities and other business insights. Argentina’s newsroom will become the official company site in the country and will be complemented by videos, photos, feature articles, infographics, as well as live streaming of notable Samsung events.

Argentina is the second Spanish-language site in the region after Mexico. Globally, Argentina’s Newsroom is Samsung’s eleventh, following the global and local editions in the United States, in addition to Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, India, Germany, Russia, Mexico, and the U.K. Samsung anticipates launching additional Newsrooms in other regions to share company information in even more languages.

Samsung has been active in the Argentinian market for more than 20 years, offering consumers innovative products that enrich and inspire their lives. Today, it has become a leading company in the country. In 2016, Samsung ranked fifth amongst ‘Innovative Brands’ in Apertura Magazine’s annual “Top 100 Brand Image” list. Moreover, the company actively participates in the local community through its strong Corporate Social Responsibility program, which provides educational support, employment and innovative digital learning opportunities.

For more information about Samsung’s operations in Argentina, and additional activities around the world, please visit Samsung Newsroom Argentina at http://news.samsung.com/ar.

Samsung Electronics Argentina unveiled to the public the first Samsung Safety Truck, a technology for trucks which seeks to prevent road accidents inovertaking situations on roads.

Thanks to the partnership between Samsung Electronics Argentina and its partners Leo Burnett Argentina, advertising agency with global reach, Ingemática, Argentine business dedicated to creating tech solutions, Helvetica SA, a national company dedicated to trailer engineering and construction, and Volvo Trucks Argentina, one of the leading truck manufacturers worldwide, the first Samsung Safety Truck was finally able to be developed and brought to reality.

Samsung aims to improve people’s lives by developing technologies that enable them to interact with products in new and exciting ways. The Samsung Safety Truck is a clear example of this constant innovation. The development of the project from its inception was conducted entirely in Argentina and drew attention from around the world. In Cannes Lions 2015, world’s most prestigious advertising festival, Samsung Safety Truck was awarded with a Titanium Lion, along with three gold and another three silver awards. Samsung also won in the Clio awards, with two gold Clios in digital and out of home categories, as well as three silver Clios in the Direct, Engagement / Experience and Innovation categories. It was also selected as one of the ‘25 best inventions of 2015’ by Time magazine.

Samsung Safety Truck leverages two built-in front cameras and a specially-designed Ingematica transportation software platform to capture and transmit a picture of the road ahead, enabling trailing vehicles to evaluate more accurately passing potential and make more informed driving decisions. Each picture is made available to nearby drivers through a high-quality display composed of four Samsung OH46D video walls. Designed to be dustproof and waterproof, the OHD Series video walls are IP56 certified for superior performance against even the most challenging environmental conditions, ensuring a clear picture regardless of the road or weather.

“Samsung is always looking for opportunities to apply technology in innovative ways to improve people’s lives. Leveraging our experience as the world leader in display technology, along with Leo Burnett, we came up with the idea of the Samsung Safety Truck, an invention that we believe will change the history of road safety,” said Sang Jik Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Argentina.

“In Leo Burnett Argentina we always try to think of ideas that are able to positively impact the lives of people. With the Samsung Safety Truck, we have taken a step further. Not only can it improve our lives, but it can also save them,” said Fernando Bellotti, President of Leo Burnett Argentina and Regional Creative Director for Latin America.

“Since the beginning of this project, Ingemática was involved in developing this innovative idea, seeking to give life to what at first seemed impossible and is now a reality. We are convinced that it will help save lives on the roads of our country and as an Argentine company, we are proud to have been able to develop a global solution locally,” said Alejandro Muther, President of Ingemática.

“Helvética has over 110 years of history in the Argentine market. Throughout our history, we have always been pioneers in bringing innovation efficiency in the cargo transportation industry. Upon learning of this idea, we immediately contributed both the trailer and the know-how of our engineering team to achieve the adaptations the equipment required for the incorporation of this new technology,” said Raul Corna, President of Helvetica SA.

“Safety is a basic principle in any project of Volvo Trucks and it’s what keeps the group active in their effort to develop innovative technologies that completely eliminate the risk of accidents. Under this premise, Volvo Trucks Argentina wanted to participate in the Samsung Safety Truck project to further promote reflections on a more secure future for both the truck driver and everyone else,“ mentionedValere Lourme Manager of Marketing and Communications at Volvo Trucks.

The official launch was sponsored by Garbarino, one of the most important retail companies in Argentina, as well as Visuar and Mirgor, both Argentine companies dedicated to the production and commercialization of electronic products, with factories in different parts of the country. The official launch took place in the iconic racing circuit “Roberto José Mouras” and was attended by domestic and international media as well as distinguished business leaders. During the course of the event, attendees could enjoy the materialization of this new technology through product demonstrations and demo drives.

The Samsung Safety Truck will be running for a year.

Product Specs:

Samsung OH46D display

Volvo Truck FH

• 13 litres Engine / 6 cylinder
• Torc and power in the range of economy
• Automated I-Shift Box
• Engine brake VEB 510 hp
• Globetrotter cab
• Sun roof + emergency exit
• Complete security package
• Connectivity + fleet management system
• Blind Spot Control System (LCS)
• Assistance to Stay in Lane (LKS)
• Driver Alert Support (DAS)
• ACC (Auto Pilot. Intelligent) + Emergency braking
• Cab Designed as survival Module
• FUPS: Front anti intrusion system
• Airbag
• integrated seat belts
• Unparalleled Visibility
• ABS, EBS, ESP, VEB Brakes
• LED rear lights with Emergency Brake Warning

Samsung Electronics has won eight prizes – two golds, four silvers, and two bronzes – at the Clio Awards, one of the three major international advertising events, alongside the Cannes Lions and New York Festivals.

Samsung’s Safety Truck was first implemented as a solution to prevent car accidents in Argentina. It later achieved two gold Clios in the Digital and Out of Home categories, and three silver Clios in the Direct, Engagement/Experiential, and Innovative categories. Earlier in June, Safety Truck was also awarded one Titanium, three gold and three silver at the Cannes Lions.

Argentina is a country where the traffic-related accident rate is among the highest in the world, mainly because most highways have just two lanes. By addressing this issue, Safety Truck provided four digital signage panels on the back doors of the trailer to show what is in front of the truck, so that faster vehicles can overtake safely.

Look At Me, a training program for children with autism, consists of a mobile application and app-related activity programs that help autistic children make eye contact and communicate better. Look At Me has won one silver and two bronze prizes in the Digital, Direct, and Engagement/Experiential categories.

“Our brand motto is to place the top priority on the value of consumers’ lives, and that ethos was recognized at the Clio Awards, following the achievements in Cannes,” said Dr. WP Hong, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to deliver innovative campaigns that will make a genuine difference in consumers’ lives.”

This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Clio Awards. The annual award program assesses the creative excellence of the world’s leading companies’ brand campaigns across various categories including Digital, Out of Home, Content and Contract and Engagement/Experiential.

In 2014, Samsung had set a record of picking up five silvers and five bronzes for its seven brand campaigns including Power Sleep and S-Drive. Power Sleep is an app that turns smartphones all over the world into a network computer, and app users can donate the computing power of their smartphones for scientific research of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer. The S-Drive program is an initiative to create the next generation of safe drivers by preventing smartphones from being a distraction on the road and turning them into safe driving tools that reward young people for driving safely.