SeeColors mode provides nine picture presets so users can select the option that is most suitable for them. The feature adjusts red, green and blue levels to ensure viewers can easily distinguish colors on the screen depending on their degree or type of CVD.

Originally released as an application in 2017, SeeColors helps those with CVD enjoy their screen as it was meant to be seen. Now, integrated in TV and monitor accessibility menus, this feature is more readily available to users. For consumers who have already purchased a 2023 model, a software update will be available to add SeeColors to the accessibility menu.

Samsung has earned “Color Vision Accessibility” certification from TÜV Rheinland,³ in acknowledgement of SeeColors mode’s ability to help those with CVD better enjoy content on Samsung screens. This recognition builds on Samsung’s commitment to accessibility, under the vision of “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All.”

“We are thrilled to introduce additional accessibility features, including SeeColors and Relumino mode, in our 2023 TV and monitor lineup to assist individuals with color blindness and low vision,” said Seokwoo Jason Yong, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Under the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ we will continue to innovate and bring inclusive technologies closer to our consumers.”

For more information on Samsung’s accessibility features, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ SeeColors mode is available on Samsung’s 2023 TV and monitor lineup, including the Neo QLED, QLED, OLED, Smart Monitor and the G95SC gaming monitor.
² This feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired or accessed through this feature is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice.
³ TÜV Rheinland, headquartered in Cologne, Germany, is a globally renowned testing organization that offers quality and safety certifications across various industries. The “Color Vision Accessibility” certification was awarded on June 7, 2023.

Relumino Mode, a viewing mode on select Samsung TVs, was designed to augment the visual capabilities of those with low vision, making it possible for anyone to engage with their favorite shows, movies and documentaries like never before. By highlighting specific parts of videos — such as contrast, color and sharpness — this feature makes it easier than ever to discern content on the TV screen.

To shed more light on this groundbreaking inclusive technology, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Dr. Kyungah Park and Jason (Jaeseong) Park from Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics, to discuss everything from development to clinical trials.

▲ Jason Park (Samsung Electronics) and Kyungah Park, M.D. (Samsung Medical Center) discuss their journeys in creating and clinically testing Relumino Mode

Screens for All — Including People With Impaired Vision

Relumino, borrowed from Latin, means “to give back the light.” The idea is to restore vision as much as possible to people with impaired vision. Earlier this year at CES, Samsung introduced Relumino Mode on select Samsung TVs. This follows the wearable device “Relumino Glass” and the smartphone image processing software “Relumino App,” each revealed at CES in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Before that, Relumino was conceived in “C-Lab(Creative Lab),” Samsung Electronics’ in-house venture program. It has evolved and expanded ever since.

▲ Relumino Glass(left) and Relumino Mode for Samsung TVs(right)

“For several years, ‘Screens for All’ has been one of the key mottos for us. We’re working to further enhance TV accessibility and promote inclusion,” said Jason Park, who plans products and services for the Visual Display Business. “People with low vision are still a key demographic that need better TV viewing experiences.”

Innovation Rooted in the User’s Perspective

To develop Relumino Mode, planners and engineers met with a number of advisors who had visual impairments to understand their wants and needs.

▲ Jason Park, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics

“There’s an early experience that really changed my perspective,” shared Jason. “When we first met an advisor for Relumino Mode, I asked him to ‘Please come here and have a seat’ to which he replied, ‘Where is here?’ That was a hard and clear wake-up call for me. I was so embarrassed.” It was then that Jason realized that they were exploring a totally new territory and would have to first understand the way their users see the world.

▲ As part of the efforts to understand customers with visual impairments, Samsung engineers used special goggles to simulate blurry vision

Despite the decades of collective experience in enhancing TV picture quality, this particular project presented a unique challenge that none of the engineers had encountered before. Typically, their expertise lay in identifying even the slightest imperfections on the screen, but now they had to understand what it’s like as a user to have impaired vision. In addition to consulting advisors, the engineers utilized special goggles that simulated blurry vision, serving as a starting point for their exploration. Through a process of generating ideas, conducting trials and learning from mistakes, they eventually developed a solution that could be considered a genuinely effective viewing mode.

Clinical Trials and Direct Feedback

After initial research and development came trials on a larger scale. This is where Samsung Electronics decided to collaborate with Samsung Medical Center, one of South Korea’s most comprehensive medical facilities.

▲Dr. Kyungah Park, Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center

“Clinical trials targeting people without disabilities are popular and recruiting subjects for these projects is relatively easy. Some even ask to join before we ask,” said Dr. Park. “But, that was not the case for the Relumino study. The pool was much more limited as we were more strict with our requirements — we targeted people who have lower vision than WHO’s vision impairment criteria.”

However, the people that Samsung contacted showed much passion for the project. “Many who joined the trials were very excited and didn’t mind traveling long distances for the study. Thanks to their support and encouragement, we were able to carry out the research,” Dr. Park added.

Four 55-inch Samsung QLED TVs were featured in the tests. One displayed the control image with no picture enhancements at all. The other three TVs showed the same content with Relumino Mode on high, medium and low. The TVs were installed on a meter away from each other onw a wall in a room with a specified amount of light.

The test was two-fold, with objective and subjective evaluations. A certified contrast sensitivity test was employed for the objective evaluation. For the subjective evaluations, participants were asked to examine a set of eight still images and two videos on each of the screens. Their satisfaction levels were measured on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on the results, researchers carried out additional interviews adjusting picture enhancement levels on the spot.

▲ A blurry vision goggle simulation of what Relumino Mode may look like to people with visual impairment

Relumino mode was well received by the group. One of the participants highly praised the technology, saying “I was thrilled to see the ball in a soccer match on screen. It can get frustrating if you can’t see the ball because of low vision, as you can imagine. Relumino Mode helped me see the ball clearly.”

“The subjects’ responses indicated the Mode’s subjective results while the contrast sensitivity testing showed its objective results. Both of these factors, combined, allowed us to find the optimal setting for a brilliant image on TV,” said Jason.

Screens for All, Today and Tomorrow

“While [the Relumino Mode] project focused on people with relatively severe visual impairment many people with slightly lighter symptoms still need help. I’d like to work on developing projects for them,” explained Dr. Park.

Jason shared a similar point of view, saying, “Samsung will continue to advance technology in the long term to provide personalized picture quality for people with vision impairment and let them enjoy TV comfortably.” Samsung remains committed to accessibility and strives to leverage its technologies to enable more people do what they enjoy.

Samsung Electronics today shared its vision for a calmer connected world through cutting-edge technologies that enhance the lives of users by providing smarter and more intuitive experiences. Speaking at a press conference at CES^® 2023, Samsung and its key partners came together to outline details about how they plan to build a better-connected world while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics, opened the company’s presence at CES by highlighting Samsung’s strategy to deliver on the promise of the connected experience across the key touchpoints in our lives — in our homes, cars and at work — while also working to build a more sustainable future. The strategy outlined during the press conference focuses on the company’s aim of bringing calm to our connected world so that devices and innovation can genuinely enable better, more personal and more intuitive experiences. To do this, Samsung is focusing on seamlessly connecting devices and designing products to make the everyday use of technology more sustainable.

▲ Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics, introduces the theme of “Bringing Calm to Our Connected World,” the aim of which is to make life easier by connecting technology seamlessly.

“We recognize our vision is a big one,” said CEO JH Han. “It’s about solving real challenges today and understanding consumers’ future needs and aspirations. It will take time, innovation and cooperation with partners worldwide. But we are committed to achieving it and already getting started.”

Samsung Incorporates Sustainability at Every Level

To address our planet’s ongoing challenges, Samsung highlighted how it continues to prioritize the environment through a combination of sustainability targets, innovative product design and strategic partnerships. As a result, by 2050, all of Samsung’s businesses will match their electricity needs with renewable energy and reach net zero carbon emissions. In the nearer term, the DX Division will transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2027 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

▲ Inhee Chung, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics, outlines the company’s new environmental strategy for everyday sustainability.

To further the company’s sustainability goals, Samsung outlined how Everyday Sustainability — building sustainability features into the company’s most popular products and services — will contribute to a healthier environment. This includes creating more sustainable products through innovative design in materials and energy efficiency.

“By building sustainability into the product experience, we, and the many people around the world who use our products, can contribute to a healthier planet,” said Inhee Chung, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung. “As a result, some of our most popular products are now some of our most sustainable.”

Samsung announced that many of its TVs and smartphones use recycled materials, including recycled plastic from discarded finishing nets, while the company’s home appliances, memory and 5G radio network chipsets are contributing to energy savings for customers. In addition, Samsung’s connected services, such as SmartThings Energy and AI Energy Mode, are also helping consumers save energy and cut costs while lowering their overall climate impact.

▲ Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia, highlights the company’s collaboration with Samsung to create a new wash cycle called Less Microfiber, a groundbreaking function that reduces microplastic release by 54% during a laundry cycle.

Samsung also shared the stage with Patagonia, a global leader in outdoor clothing, to discuss a partnership to combat the issue of microplastics – the tiny particles often found in clothes and released into oceans, lakes and rivers through the laundry. Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia, spoke at the Samsung press conference about how the two companies have developed a new wash technology called the Less Microfiber Cycle,¹ currently being incorporated into Samsung washing machines, which can reduce microplastic release by 54%² during a laundry cycle. Like the Less Microfiber Cycle, Samsung and Patagonia recently developed the new Less Microfiber Filter,³ which reduces microplastic discharge by preventing them from escaping into the ocean at the end of a wash cycle.

▲ James Kwon, Product Manager, ENERGY STAR for Consumer Electronics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discusses Samsung’s efforts to increase energy savings throughout its products.

Meanwhile, James Kwon, Product Manager, ENERGY STAR for Consumer Electronics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced that Samsung’s connected home experience with SmartThings is the first mass-market Smart Home Energy Management System to earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR SHEMS Certification. Samsung also continues to collaborate with diverse stakeholders in its sustainability efforts. For example, Samsung joined with the Carbon Trust and other technology leaders to develop the industry’s first specification for measuring, accounting for and decarbonizing the emissions associated with connected devices while being used by customers.

A Connected Home and Connected Life Built on Convenience

▲ Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, introduces Samsung’s SmartThings system that provides more efficient and intuitive personalized experiences by maximizing connected devices and home appliances.

Samsung detailed plans to fulfill the connected experience today and in the future. During the company’s press conference, Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, highlighted how features like SmartThings Home Monitor and SmartThings Pet Care bring convenience to the connected experience by monitoring and sharing alerts for anything out of the ordinary – for people and pets. Prompted by Samsung Smart TV, these services are some of the many ways Samsung and the connected platform SmartThings are creating an even smarter home.

▲ Alana Gomez-Solis, Corporate Communications Specialist at Samsung Electronics America, highlights how the many diverse features of SmartThings shape our daily lives.

A key part of this vision is increased interoperability, enabling consumers to connect more of their devices, whether they are Samsung’s or from a partner brand. As the industry looks to bring about a new level of compatibility through the Matter smart home standard, Samsung stated its commitment to this partnership philosophy. SmartThings was one of the first brands to adopt Matter, and Samsung is a founding member of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA).

Also, at the CES press conference, Samsung announced the latest smart home innovation, with the SmartThings Station — its first product to have Matter support built-in right from the beginning. It is a convenient, new way to kick-start SmartThings experiences at home and make it easier to interact with connected devices. SmartThings Station turns Samsung’s wireless charger into a smart home hub that can seamlessly transform the state of your home at the touch of a button.⁴

▲ Jasper Vervoort, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Philips Hue, presents the concept for a wholistic smart home experience, made possible through a growing technological ecosystem of various partnerships.

The focus on connected experiences also extended to unveiling new partnerships, including announcing an expanded collaboration with Philips Hue. Jasper Vervoort, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Philips Hue, discussed a new way to sync the content from Samsung TVs with Philips Hue lighting through the Philips Hue Sync TV app, which can be downloaded from the app store on Samsung TVs. This is the first solution to sync lighting and content from Samsung TVs without additional hardware.

▲ Shin Baik, Principal Engineer of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business, shares the latest advancements in security and privacy with Knox Matrix, built on Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, to underscore the company’s commitment to keeping users’ data safe and secure.

With more devices connected than ever, Samsung also detailed how security and privacy innovations will be keys to building connected device ecosystems. The company is taking its device security experiences to the next level with its upcoming solution, Samsung Knox Matrix, which will conveniently and safely sync credentials across devices while protecting sensitive information via multi-layered mutual monitoring enabled by private blockchain technology.

▲ Marcus Futterlieb of HARMAN presents revamped in-vehicle experiences, including Ready Care that make driving safer and more comfortable using the latest technologies.

The connected experience is also extending to your commute. Marcus Futterlieb from HARMAN unveiled Samsung and HARMAN’s plans to inject a new level of intelligence, personalization and convenience into the in-cabin experience (ICX). Central to this effort is HARMAN Ready Care, which uses a machine learning algorithm to gather and process data from the car’s sensors to measure driver drowsiness and distraction, providing tailored interventions to mitigate risks and help improve the well-being of the driver.

A Vision for the Future

▲ Sebastian Seung, President of Samsung Research, explains the future of SmartThings related to Spatial AI and how it will continue to enrich our interactions with technology in the future.

The company also showcased next-generation innovations and technologies using the latest artificial intelligence (AI). Experiences enabled by Spatial AI — like in the JetBot AI+ — are laying the groundwork for better in-home experiences specific to the dimensions and environment of your space.

Samsung also gave a preview of Relumino Mode, which will come to select 2023 Samsung Neo QLED 8K and 4K TVs this year to make content viewing possible for people with vision impairment. Relumino Mode highlights outlines and improves contrast and color so that content is clearer and easier to enjoy.⁵ In addition, Samsung also displayed a new pair of Relumino glasses, which first debuted at CES 2018 as part of its startup acceleration program C-Lab project, as well as its mobile app to make the visual experience more enjoyable and personalized on every screen.

For more information, please visit Samsung.com.

¹ Already available for Samsung washers in Europe and will expand availability to Korea in February and to the U.S. soon.

² Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model of European washer WW4000T and the Less Microfiber cycle on WW7000B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested by the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

³ Will be available in the first half of this year in Europe.

⁴ Available with SmartThings App on Android or iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection is required.

⁵ Relumino Mode targets those who suffer from severe visual acuity loss (Source: WHO, World report on vision, 2019) and symptoms of blurry vision. Some features may be supported at a different time, and service availability may not be available at the time of purchase of this product. Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only. The Mode does not work on other sources, OTTs, etc.

Technology is dramatically changing our world. As we are in the midst of the digital transformation, mobile and smart devices have become an inextricable part of our lives.

As CMO of Samsung Electronics, I am often asked what technology means for the future of marketing and creativity. Behind this question I believe lies a deep-rooted concern – how will technology transform creativity? Will technology be the downfall or saviour of creativity? The rise in data engineered campaigns has the capability to remove the human connections we all need.

Embracing Change

Technology is, and always was, about change. And change brings challenges. I know this, not just because of my role, but through my personal experiences.

Before joining Samsung, I worked in the beauty industry. Without any background in technology, it felt like I had landed in a foreign country when I made the change from cosmetics to tech 11 years ago.

My role is to use what I have learned to help transform Samsung from a technology-focused, to consumer-centric company. Features and specs, of course, are important. But they only tell part of the story. No matter how fast or powerful a processor is, it only becomes meaningful when its capabilities are weaved into people’s lives.

Creative Catalyst

Samsung’s Relúmĭno is a case in point. Harnessing the capabilities of the smartphone camera and VR devices, the application helps visually impaired people see the world with clarity. With the potential to transform lives, Relúmĭno shows how technology can give voice to millions around the world to narrate their own stories.

When we look at innovations through a humanistic lens, technology can become a powerful catalyst for creativity.

Take 5G for example. With the speed of data transfer that 5G can bring to us, I believe 5G technology could drive an exponential change to our world. 5G will fuel the fourth industrial revolution. When we speak about how 5G will change the way we live, work and play, the story suddenly becomes even more inspiring.

A Brand-New Era

As a marketer at Samsung, I see that technology is writing new rules for creativity on a micro, as well as macro, scale. Brands are changing the way they communicate as new cultural values emerge with technological innovations.

With the proliferation of technology, brands are no longer bystanders in society. They can now make a difference at scale. Samsung’s DYTECTIVE, an app designed to diagnose dyslexia quickly and for free, shows that a simple idea can produce profound results.

As people are better informed and entertained than ever before, they are seeking much more than material comforts, which drives brands to create experiences with a deeper meaning.

Greater connectivity and mobility has also turned consumers from viewers and bystanders, into active participants. This opens a whole new level of relationship between brands and people, in other words, a new dimension of creativity for brands and marketers.

Do What You Can’t

Technology will transform creativity, for the better, by inspiring all of us to achieve the impossible.

When we aspire to enact change and stand by values that seem improbable, we are compelled to find solutions that are truly transformational.

At Samsung, it’s part of our DNA to enact change and stand by values that seem improbable.

Do What You Can’t is more than a slogan. It’s a call to action.

* This editorial is based on YH Lee’s address at Cannes Lions 2018.

In this article, Samsung Newsroom introduces technologies which Samsung is developing to provide accessibility for “anyone and everyone,” and have the potential to dramatically help those with disabilities, the elderly, and many others.

A Samsung Electronics “Smart Angel” volunteer is guiding a person with an impaired vision how to make better use out of a smartphone.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ adds three new high-contrast keyboards

With mobile devices being essential to so many activities in daily life, Samsung has also focused on equipping its smartphones with more specific accessibility features including high-contrast features for smartphones. Also, this year, Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones have added three new high-contrast keyboards, for a total of four, and also support High Contrast Mode for the Internet App to satisfy the growing needs for accessibility.

Galaxy smartphones provide many accessibility features for visibility, hearing and dexterity. The Voice Assistant describes what you touch, select, and activate through spoken feedback, and allows visually impaired users to edit text or change settings with familiar swipe and tap gestures. The smartphones can also aid those with hearing impairment by catching the sound of a doorbell ringing or a baby crying and notifies the user through visual cues and vibration. Users can access features on their smartphones by giving voice commands or simple motions.

Samsung Galaxy S9’s four different high contrast keyboards (left), and the Samsung Internet App in high contrast mode.

Samsung DeX connects a smartphone to a larger display and provides better navigation for people with limited mobility or vision. Bixby assists even further. Visually impaired people can easily identify an item in front of them with Bixby Vision, which uses the phone’s camera app to relay information about one’s surroundings. Bixby Voice also eliminates the need to go through multiple steps to accomplish a mobile task, allowing users, for instance, to dictate and send a text to a friend or check their daily schedule with a simple voice command.

“Because the Galaxy S9 can transcribe what I would like to say in a message, I can save a lot of time and energy by not having to type it. In this way, Bixby instills in me a sense of confidence when communicating with others,” said Gwangman Moon, who has impaired vision.

Fundación ONCE, the National Organization of the Blind in Spain, recognized the Galaxy S8 as “a device that is properly equipped for visually impaired users” in July last year. Inho Baek Samsung’s Mobile Accessibility UX Designer, received the Human Rights Award 2017 by the Korean government as a recognition of his efforts to provide improved accessibility.

In addition, Samsung’s Creative Lab (C-Lab) is also actively developing practical technologies to help people with disabilities. For instance, Relúmĭno, a visual assistant app that helps visually impaired people see the world more clearly, has been a recent, notable creation.

“SeeColors” breaks down the ‘Color Barrier’ for 300 million around the world

Samsung has already introduced accessibility functions to their TVs, including a high-contrast feature for background and text, and voice feedback of features on the TV and remote control. Thanks to these efforts, Samsung has been awarded CES Innovation Awards in the Accessible Tech category for four consecutive years since 2015.

In 2018, Samsung further upgraded the accessibility functions of its QLED TVs and UHD TVs. Now, users can adjust the colors of the menu in line with their vision, and interchange the color of the text and background between black and white, and use an industry-first function to adjust the location of the subtitles on screen. Another standout feature is the “SeeColors” app designed to help the 300 million people living with color blindness around the world, and developed in collaboration with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. The app recognizes the color vision deficiency level of a viewer, and then automatically optimizes the colors for the user.

“We will continue our research and development of accessibility features in our TV development, so that everyone can enjoy an optimized viewing experience,” said Jonghee Han, Head of Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics.

Bixby for easier use of home appliances

This year, Samsung has embedded the Bixby voice recognition feature into its new home appliances, including Family Hub refrigerator in Korea and the U.S. For instance, you can just ask “Hi Bixby, what’s new today?” and the Family Hub will provide a read out of the news, weather and calendar updates specifically tailored to the user.

Samsung also was able to provide 150 washers and dryers, including FlexWash powered by Bixby, to the athlete’s village of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in March, to further share its recent innovations in accessibility with the wider public.

A member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is testing out FlexWash that improved accessibility with AI technology at the athlete’s village of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

A visually impaired individual who tested the FlexWash at home during the development process said, “While laundry may be a simple daily task for others, it can be difficult for those with visual impairment. With FlexWash, I was able to do laundry on my own for the first time in my life.”

Samsung’s home appliance technologies hone in on detail to provide greater accessibility. For instance, the Family Hub provides features including Black and White, Menu Color Conversion, and font size adjustment, to cater to those with visual impairments in the U.S. The devices also provide spoken feedback about the features of the device or the buttons on the remote control. This year, the home appliances were also upgraded to produce a different sound effect upon activating each function. For example, now people with vision impairments can monitor the temperature level of the refrigerator, or different laundry cycles of a washing machine through different sound effects.

Samsung will actively apply IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in future launches to provide improved accessibility and allow devices to activate the most suitable features for every user.

Focusing on solutions for the real-life inconveniences of people with disabilities

Samsung’ Digital Appliances Division invited a volunteer panel of users with visual impaired people to the HeX Lab* in its Seoul R&D Center, to hear about their inconveniences when they use digital appliances in daily life. The division continues to improve accessibility by engaging and listening to the feedback of organizations supporting those with disabilities every month, and is also undertaking joint research with Korean universities related to development of accessibility.

Every year, Samsung’s TV developers also conduct tests with groups of people with disabilities and experts in order to reflect their opinions during development. Often, Samsung employees with disabilities also participate in development and tests for accessibility features to provide their feedback.

Developers at Samsung Electronics are discussing the Galaxy smartphones’ accessibility features with “Samsung Supporters”.

Since 2016, Samsung’s Mobile Division has also sponsored the “Samsung Supporters” program to communicate with users with disabilities in order to improve accessibility together. In addition, Samsung gives presentations about accessibility feature regularly, and is conducting “Smart Angel” volunteer activities for the fifth year this year to guide visually impaired users how to make better use out of smartphones.

“I feel proud to be able to contribute to the improvement of smart device accessibility,” said an ambassador with impaired hearing. “I’ve learned a lot about accessibility through communicating with Samsung, and now I’m also sharing with others how to better use these features.”

^*The research lab is built similarly to mimic a real home.

^**Disclaimer: The functions or features mentioned in this article may vary according to product type and region.

The Samsung Paralympic Showcase was revamped and renamed to help all fans embrace the excitement of the Paralympic Winter Games, enabling them to create, capture and share their experiences while celebrating the Paralympic Spirit. In addition to being exposed to Samsung’s latest technological advancements, visitors are able to feel the exhilaration and thrills of various adventures through the Samsung Gear VR powered by the Galaxy Note8, including Snowboarding, Mission to Space and others.

Exclusively for the Paralympic Winter Games, visitors can experience how the vision-enhancing Relúmĭno application works in conjunction with the Samsung Gear VR powered by the Galaxy Note8 to help those with low vision see the world more clearly. Wheelchair accessible ramps and lifts will ensure all athletes and fans are able to participate in a variety of interactive experiences.

“Samsung has been a longstanding supporter of the Paralympic Movement, bringing innovations and technological advancements that promote accessibility for athletes, fans and officials,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons. “There is not a doubt that Samsung will continue to bring exciting, meaningful and inclusive experiences for all during PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.”

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons visits the Samsung Paralympic Showcase in Gangneung along with members of IPC marketing team on Tuesday, March 13 during the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons visits the Samsung Paralympic Showcase in Gangneung along with members of IPC marketing team during the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons visits the Samsung Paralympic Showcase in Gangneung accompanied by members of IPC marketing team and of IOC/TMS during the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

“For six consecutive Paralympic Games, Samsung has displayed commitment to its partnership with the IPC with accessible technology that creates a more inclusive and exciting experience for all,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “At PyeongChang 2018, we will continue to leverage our technological advancements to inspire the #DoWhatYouCant spirit and motivate more people to be involved in the Paralympic Movement.”

For PyeongChang 2018, Samsung will continue to provide innovative platforms that allow more people to become connected, engaged and involved in the Paralympic Winter Games through the following activations:

Providing Exclusive Galaxy Note8 Pack to All Paralympians

The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games marks the first time all Paralympians will receive Samsung smartphones – allowing them to capture and share their experiences and to further generate excitement for the Paralympic Movement amongst fans around the world.  Each Paralympian will receive a Galaxy Note8 as part of an exclusive pack that features a fast-charging battery pack as well as a special case that incorporates a Paralympic Winter Games interface once attached to the phone.

Accessible Experiences for All at Samsung Paralympic Showcases

Samsung will highlight its dedication to the Paralympic Movement by revamping and renaming Samsung Olympic Showcases as Samsung Paralympic Showcases. Popular features that attracted over 430,000 people during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will continue to entertain visitors, including 4D VR experiences powered by the Galaxy Note8 such as ‘The Mission to Space VR: A Moon for All Mankind,’ as well as snowboarding and other winter sports. Exclusively for the Paralympic Winter Games, visitors will be able to experience how the vision-enhancing Relúmĭno application works in conjunction with Samsung Gear VR to help those with low vision see the world more clearly. Wheelchair accessible ramps and lifts will ensure all athletes and fans are able to participate in a variety of interactive experiences.

New Storytelling Through the Eyes of Samsung Paralympic Blogger Program

Samsung will once again partner with the IPC to share behind-the-scenes Games-Time experiences with fans around the world through the Samsung Paralympic Bloggers Program. For PyeongChang 2018, 25 Paralympians, team officials and reporters were selected to use their creativity to share unique content and their own #DoWhatYouCant stories, which will be uploaded on various digital platforms including the IPC’s official YouTube channel, Twitter and Facebook, as well as bloggers’ respective social media accounts.

Adapting the PyeongChang 2018 App to Deliver a Better Paralympic Games Experience

Samsung is once again powering the custom mobile application, as an effort to further enhance the PyeongChang 2018 experience for all, ensuring smarter communications and smoother wireless operations during the Paralympic Winter Games. The all-in-one app, created in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG), received more than 1,280,000 downloads during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 period, and has been updated to provide the official Paralympic Games schedule, venue and event information, results, medal counts, and more real-time updates during the Paralympic Games.

The app is available for free in Samsung Galaxy Apps, Google Play Store and iOS App Store.

“With a shared vision to inspire athletes and fans to #DoWhatYouCant, Samsung has brought meaningful technology to the Paralympic Games and prompted discussion about seeing ability over disability,” said IPC President, Andrew Parsons. “We are excited to see Samsung’s innovations come to life in a way that is inclusive and promotes accessibility for those living with an impairment.”

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Paralympic Games

Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the IPC in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category. Starting from Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, Samsung has supported 6 consecutive Paralympic Games, and is proud to be an official worldwide partner of PyeongChang 2018. Samsung hosts various Paralympic Games campaigns that aim to enable athletes and fans around the world to participate in the Paralympic Movement and to spread the excitement and inspiration of the Games through its wireless communication technologies. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Partner continues through PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

“Since launching five years ago, our C-Lab program has gained exciting momentum across Samsung, helping foster an innovation culture, and providing avenue for our creative, talented employees to pursue innovative new projects. We will continuously introduce innovative projects through our C-Lab program” said Jaiil Lee, Vice President and Head of the Creativity & Innovation Center at Samsung Electronics.

The three new C-Lab projects include:

• S-Ray (Sound-Ray) is a portable directional speaker which users can carry anywhere. While existing directional speakers are primarily stationary due to their size and price, S-Ray is a directional speaker that is made much smaller, lighter and portable with its unique system module while maintaining the advantages of conventional directional speakers and/or earphones. S-Ray helps people avoid having to put on earphones for a long time which can cause ear pain, and avoids the distractions to others Bluetooth speakers can cause. At CES 2018, S-Ray will showcase a variety of product options such as Neckband, Handy and smartphone cover.

• GoBreath is a recovery solution for people who have experienced lung damage and suffer from postoperative pulmonary complications after general anesthesia. Patients commonly need to exercise deep breathing for faster recovery, with one of the conventional methods through use of an inspirometer. However, deep breathing becomes challenging for patients who have undergone surgery due to lung pain. A doctor at Samsung Medical Center came up with the concept of GoBreath, which helped his patients recover faster, and consists of a portable device and mobile app that can teach patients basic techniques such as inspiration, coughing or deep breathing. Patients can refer to exercise guidelines and check how well their lungs have recovered through the app. GoBreath even offers a web and cloud service for doctors to help them monitor their patients’ recovery progress as well as provide reminders to practice.

• Relúmĭno glasses are smart visual aid eyeglasses to help people with vision challenges see images clearer when they are reading a book or viewing an object. The Relúmĭno app was first showcased at Mobile World Congress 2017, and Relúmĭno glasses were subsequently developed to enable people with visual impairments to utilize the technology more comfortably and discreetly. The glasses work in conjunction with a smartphone, utilizing its processors and batteries, which makes Relúmĭno glasses light and comfortable to wear. The smartphone processes images from videos projected through the camera of the glasses, and the processed images are floated into the display of the Relúmĭno glasses to help the wearer see things better.

In addition to these projects, seven start-ups which have been spun off from Samsung C-Lab, including LINKFLOW, Kitten Planet, lululab, KIDSOFT, Mangoslab, Innomdle lab, and analogue plus, will participate at CES 2018 to showcase their newly released commercial products and explore global business opportunities.

As notable example, the wearable camera FITT360 by LINKFLOW was awarded the CES 2018 Innovation Award in the Digital Imaging category. Initially, the start-up focused on personal travelers in the B2C market, but recently has been focusing on a B2B model for the security industry with a model which features extended battery capacity.

Created in December 2012, C-Lab is an in-house idea incubation program that encourages a creative corporate culture and nurtures innovative ideas from Samsung employees. The program supports the development of ideas from all areas of the business. Introduced in 2015, the C-Lab spin-off policy helps Samsung employees who have successfully completed C-Lab projects to launch their own start-ups. Samsung supports the spin-off companies through seed money investment and business consulting to accelerate their growth, while guaranteeing their independent management.

For more information, please visit the booth #51765~#51774 in Sands, Hall G (Eureka Park Marketplace) from January 9 – 12, 2018.

Appendix

1. LINKFLOW (www.linkflow.co.kr)

‘LINKFLOW’ has developed a neckband-form wearable 360 camera that records full HD video from the first-person viewpoint. The video can be broadcast in real time using automatic stitching technology. Originally, its main target customers were personal travelers and sports athletes, but it has found a new business opportunity in the security market after its spin-off. The commercial B2B model will be shipped to security companies around the world.

2. Kitten Planet (www.brushmon.com)

‘Kitten Planet’ has launched an ultrasound toothbrush called ‘Brush Monster’ for kids to educate them on how to brush effectively using an augmented reality (AR) guide. Children can enjoy toothbrushing through fun features like collecting Monster images and sharing selfie photos.

3. lululab (www.lulu-lab.com)

‘lululab’ has developed the artificial intelligence (AI) skincare assistant, Lumini. The AI algorithm captures and analyzes face images to predict skin troubles intelligently and suggests best products to customers based on accumulated measurement data. The solution can be implemented in various device forms, e.g. portable device, KIOSK, and signage.

4. KIDSOFT (www.kidsoft.kr)

‘KIDSOFT’ has developed the ‘Carrie Watch’ that helps kids to develop good habits and improve their cognitive ability. Children can plan activities with their parents using the watch, and receive rewards for accomplishing the task correctly. In addition, parents can also measure their children’s ability to pay attention through the device. The company completed a joint research project with Seoul National University Hospital to develop a model of children’s behavior development using the watch.

5. Mangoslab (www.mangoslab.com)

‘Mangoslab’ has successfully launched its smart sticky notes printer called ‘nemonic’. Users can print free memos and useful built-in templates via their smartphone. The data can be stored and managed in a cloud server and up to 20 people can share the device at the same time using Bluetooth connectivity.

6. Innomdle Lab (www.mysgnl.com)

‘Innomdle Lab’ has developed an innovative watch strap ‘sgnl’ that generates vibrations when a voice signal is received through Bluetooth. The vibrations transmit through your hand to your fingertip. When you place your fingertip to your ear, the vibrations change back to voices. The device enables people to make and take phone calls without worrying about privacy issues in a silent environment. The company successfully raised over USD two million in crowdfunding and will ship products to backers soon.

7. analogue plus (www.analogue-plus.com)

‘analogue plus’ has developed a smart communication device ‘Ahead’ for helmet users. Both hands and ears can remain free while using the gadget attached on a helmet. Motorcycle and bike riders, skiers, and workers in dangerous environments can safely answer phone calls and enjoy music using ‘Ahead.’

The movie was produced by Hur Jin-ho, a Korean film director and screenwriter known for his works “Christmas in August,” “One Fine Spring Day,” and “The Last Princess.” It features Korean actress Han Ji Min and K-pop star and actor Park Hyungsik as the main characters.

“Two Lights: Relúmĭno” was inspired by the fact that about 86 percent of visually impaired people worldwide have low vision, and that they may experience unnecessary inconveniences as a result.

The film follows Sooyoung and Insoo, two young people who meet at a photography club for the visually impaired, as they learn to take their own photos – and grow closer to each other while doing so.

It also highlights Relúmĭno, a visual aid application developed by a team at C-Lab, Samsung’s in-house incubator program. The app works in conjunction with the Gear VR to enhance the vision of visually impaired people, and thus helps to alleviate some of the everyday challenges they might face.

Watch “Two Lights: Relúmĭno” below.

Co-creators Marc Brew and Giselle Calazans performing in Uchronia, at the Liberty Festival, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, in 2016

It was really exciting landing in Seoul airport and seeing the mascots for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympics as this performance will be one of the closing performances of UK/Korea 2017-18 in association with the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Cultural Olympiad program.

We visited Seoul from the 25th September – 1st October, arriving after an overnight flight to meet with the team and talk about how the project would develop. The team is made up of UK and Korean artists, with the UK team including composer Angus MacRae and audio describer Emma Jane McHenry.

Audio description is a new thing for South Korea, so we will be working closely with the British Council to try to secure the technology to allow this to happen. We are very excited about the proposed support from Samsung Electronics, who have offered VR (Virtual Reality) headsets with a specialised application called Relumino that enhances the visual experience of watching a show for people with visual impairments. We will also offer an access tour an hour before the show to allow audiences a close-up experience to get a sense of the costumes, props, lighting and movement qualities of the performers and to learn a bit more about the production. We always aim to make our work as accessible as possible for audiences with disabilities.

We had a day off on Tuesday, as there was no rehearsal space available, so had the chance to explore Seoul finding out a bit more about its rich history and culture.

Bora Kim and I began work in the studio the next day. After an initial discussion about our normal working practices, we decided to wipe the slate clean and explore new ways of creating. Bora came up with the idea of asking each other questions that we weren’t allowed to answer, then choosing three questions to answer, and building stories about each other, before exploring these ideas in our own bodies. Throughout the week, we started to develop and understanding of each other’s movement styles and sense of humour.

I felt there was an honest exchange, respect and interest in what we could learn and share from each other that really excited me. The artistic quality of work in the contemporary dance sector in Korea is high and there is a real curiosity in the field around dance, identity and disability.

Brew in his solo performance piece, For Now, I am…

Thanks to Korea Disability Arts & Culture Center and the IEUM Arts Centre which hosted the rehearsals and to the British Council team who supported us during the week.

It was also great to immerse ourselves into the Korean cuisine with our lovely hosts at the British Council and experience the hustle and bustle of the city streets, the subway and the people of Seoul – a very busy and vibrant city. I look forward to coming back next year to finish the project and perform.

*The views expressed in this editorial are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Samsung Electronics.

Created in December 2012, C-Lab is an internal venture incubation program that encourages a creative corporate culture and nurtures innovative ideas from Samsung employees. The program supports the development of inventing ideas from all areas of the business.

The products on display will include a smart aid for visually impaired people, monitorless PC viewing glasses, a VR home furnishing solution and a 360-degree travel experience platform.

Relúmĭno

Relúmĭno is a visual aid application that works incorporated with Gear VR for near blind and visually impaired people which enable them to read books and watch TV with new levels of clarity. It works as a mobile app that when inserted into the Samsung Gear VR can enhance visuals and text so that they can be enjoyed in better quality. The technology even has the ability to remap blind spots by displacing images and uses an Amlser grid chart to correct distorted images caused by metamorphopsia. Relúmĭno enables visually challenged people to watch TV without using the expensive visual aids currently available in the market.

Monitorless

Monitorless is a remote-control VR/AR solution that enables consumers to use devices such as smartphones and PCs without a monitor. The solution consists of a special pair of glasses that resemble regular sunglasses. They are used to view content from other devices such as smartphones and PCs and can be used for both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality functionality thanks to the electro chromic glass featured on the glasses. Monitorless addresses the fact that there isn’t enough AR and VR content currently available and also enables users to play high-capacity PC games on a mobile device.

VuildUs

VuildUs is a home interior and furnishing solution enables users to see what a new furniture purchase would look like and whether it would fit in the room before they buy it. It consists of a 360-degree depth camera and a mobile app for VR compatible devices. First, users connect both devices and scan their home using the camera. That data is used to build a VR version of the user’s home which the user can then enter when wearing a VR headset. They can view items of furniture in 3D, and buy it on the spot if they like how it looks in the room. The solution removes the need for measuring space before buying furniture because it enables them to see whether it would fit in real time.

traVRer

traVRer is a 360-degree video platform that enables users to experience realistic virtual travel before and after a real-life trip. Those using the platform are able to visit landmarks and famous places around the world but with the mood, noises and events captured. Users can switch seamlessly between different videos to go in different directions or see the place at a specific time of day – all without the need to navigate menus for alternative video options.

“We continue to support new ideas and creativity, especially when these traits could lead to new experiences for consumers,” said Lee Jae Il, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Creativity & Innovation Center. “These latest examples of C-Lab projects are a reminder that we have some talented entrepreneurial people who are unafraid to break new ground. We’re looking forward to further exploring novel applications for VR and 360-degree video because there are endless possibilities in this area.”

The C-Lab projects will be exhibited at Samsung Electronics’ booth (4YFN G1 in the Fira Barcelona).