Created in December 2012, C-Lab is a startup business program that nurtures a creative organizational culture and innovative ideas among Samsung employees. Since its inception, 25 C-Lab projects have turned their ideas into businesses.

“There are already 25 C-Lab alumni startups which have hired about 100 employees after independence from Samsung Electronics,” said Jaiil Lee, Vice President and Head of the Creativity & Innovation Center at Samsung Electronics. “These figures demonstrate how C-Lab startups are growing at a brisk pace and nurturing a new startup ecosystem within Samsung.”

The five C-Lab projects that were selected this year are applying innovative thinking and cutting-edge technology to products for beauty, kids and other daily uses. The five products honored this year include:

• Bebefit – Baby carriers that protect infants in an easy and smart way

• chikapong – Kids’ Toothbrushes that help kids develop healthy dental habits

• TagPlus – Internet-connected devices for kids that connect to toys

• S-Skin – Home skin care solutions that help analyze and care for skin at the same time

• Lumini – Portable Devices that recommend cosmetics based on skin analysis

The five teams introduced their products at ABC Kids Expo 2016 as well as CES 2017 drawing the attention of industry insiders. As the five teams become independent from Samsung Electronics, they are incorporating feedback from consumers and industry experts to improve their products.

C-Lab alumni startups have experienced tremendous success and growth in recent years. SketchOn Inc. was globally recognized as a startup with enormous potential after it was ranked fourth – the highest a Korean startup has ever achieved – at Slush 2016, the largest startup conference in Europe. In addition, Salted Venture Inc., Innomdle Lab and WELT Inc. far exceeded their targeted funding goals on the global crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter and plan to introduce their products to the market very soon.

Samsung created the C-Lab in recognition of the creative, innovative and entrepreneurial talents of its own staff. It’s a program that enables workers to launch novel technologies that could go on to become a standalone success. Although these products are currently still in development, they already show a huge amount of promise.

Tag+

First up is Tag+, the product that will change the way that children interact with their toys. It’s a button-type device that connects to toys and a smartphone app through Bluetooth. Once paired, kids can click, long-press, shake or bump the smart tag to enable various responses from their toys. A click can access extra digital content for a toy, while a long-press could enable kids to share pictures of their latest Lego build, for example.

The developers created Tag+ to extend the life of toys everywhere by marrying digital and physical worlds. At CES, they are showing a live demo of the product and speaking with potential partners.

S-Skin

S-Skin is one of two skincare products on show from the C-Lab this year. S-Skin saves on the time and cost associated with professional dermatological care. It consists of a microneedle patch and a portable device that analyses and cares for the skin.

The patch can penetrate the skin to deliver effective ingredients and enhance absorption. The device can measure the hydration, redness, and melanin of the skin to provide customized skincare using LED light. The accompanying app saves details of the skin’s condition, making it possible to track changes over time. CES is a key opportunity for the creators of S-Skin to share their expertise.

Lumini

Another new product on display at CES is Lumini. Lumini is a portable device that spots skin problems before they happen.

It works by taking a picture of the face. The device analyses the information from the picture with its own algorithm and then sends the data to a smartphone app. The product identifies issues under the surface of the skin, like pimples, freckles, and redness. Lumini also recommends cosmetic products based on the analysis and provides a remote consulting service with a dermatologist or a skincare specialist.

Flying the Nest

As well as showcasing the three new C-Lab innovations, other C-Lab businesses that have spun off are also having a presence at CES. Among them are MANGOSLAB’s Nemonic, a compact printer that prints memos from smart devices to sticky notes; Jameasy, a solution that helps users practice an acoustic musical instrument through a sensor module attached to the instrument; MOPIC, a smartphone cover that helps view 3D content without glasses; analogue plus, a hands-free device for helmet users; and WELT, a fashionable belt for healthcare.

MANGOSLAB’s Nemonic is a compact printer that prints memos from smart devices on sticky notes.

Jameasy helps users practice an acoustic musical instrument through a sensor module attached to the instrument.

Through the use of a simple device that attaches to a phone much in the same way as a protective case, MOPIC enables 3D viewing on the go. No glasses necessary.

The C-Lab initiative is a valuable opportunity for great minds to think freely and create something ingenious. CES is another chance for the businesses themselves to interact with the market. It will also enable them to gain priceless insights that will help shape their products.

Samsung Electronics announced that following the success of last year’s showcase, it will display three more Creative Lab (C-Lab) projects during CES 2017, at Eureka Park.

Created in December 2012, C-Lab is a startup business 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.

Projects that will be unveiled at CES 2017 are Tag+, an electronic device that adds extra functionality to kids’ toys; S-Skin, a home skincare and analysis solution; and Lumini, a portable device that checks the inner skin to identify and prevent skin problems.

Tag+

Tag+ is a button-type device that kids can easily use. The device is a digital companion that connects to toys and a smartphone app through Bluetooth LE and introduces intuitive interactions. Depending on whether kids click, long-press, shake or bump the smart tag, the companion application responds accordingly, opening new doors for kids to have fun. With Tag+, kids can have multiple experiences with a toy without losing interest.

S-Skin

S-Skin is a consumer skincare solution that saves time and cost associated with professional dermatological care. It is comprised of a microneedle patch and a portable device that analyses and cares for the skin. The microneedle patch can deeply penetrate the skin to deliver effective ingredients and enhance absorption. The device can measure the hydration, redness, and melanin of the skin to provide customized skincare using LED light. The condition of the skin is saved in the accompanying app to track changes over time.

Lumini

Lumini is a portable device that spots skin problems before they happen. After taking a picture of the face with Lumini, the device analyses the information with its own algorithm and sends the information to a smartphone app. The device identifies issues under the surface of the skin, like pimples, freckles, increased pores, wrinkles, redness, and sebum. Lumini also recommends cosmetic products based on the analysis and provides a remote consulting service with a dermatologist or a skincare specialist.

Since earlier this year, Samsung has been showcasing C-Lab ideas from various areas at major exhibitions. Employees’ ideas are displayed at the exhibitions and the business value of each project is examined based on the public’s reaction, which helps improve the project.

Five additional C-Lab projects that have successfully spun off will be exhibited at CES 2017: MANGOSLAB, a compact printer that prints memos from smart devices to Post-it note paper; Jameasy, a solution that helps users practice an acoustic musical instrument through a sensor module attached to the instrument; MOPIC, a smartphone cover that helps view 3D content without glasses; Analogue Plus, a hands-free device for headgear; and WELT, a fashionable belt for healthcare. They are seeking global business opportunities through CES 2017.

Meanwhile, performance of C-Lab projects that have successfully spun off has attracted attention from the global market. MANGOSLAB’s smart printer Nemonic was awarded CES 2017 Best of Innovation Awards under the Computer Accessories category. Also, WELT has launched a smart belt in collaboration with Samsung C&T’s fashion division and other projects are awaiting official launch during the first half of 2017.

“Ideas from diverse areas from fashion and kids to beauty are being developed based on innovative technology and we will continue to seek for additional ideas across a broad spectrum,” said Jaiil Lee, Vice President of Creativity & Innovation Center at Samsung Electronics.