Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Technology can deliver a sustainable future: Samsung vice chairman
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee delivers a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show at the Venetian Palazzo hotel in Las Vegas, Jan. 4 (local time). Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
By Baek Byung-yeul
SKT unveils green technology for net-zero goal
By Baek Byung-yeul
Han Jong-hee, the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, said the global pandemic crisis has awakened the value of the world in which we coexist, and if both the IT industry and consumers participate in making changes, it could make a big difference toward creating a sustainable future.
Logo for Consumer Electronics Show / Courtesy of Consumer Technology Association
On Jan. 4 (local time), the top executive in charge of Samsung's DX Division, which encompasses the tech giant's visual display, appliances and mobile businesses, gave a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) under the theme “Together for Tomorrow.”
At the Venetian Palazzo hotel in Las Vegas, Han shared Samsung's vision to contribute to the sustainable development of the world by introducing a range of sustainability initiatives, purposeful partnerships, and customizable and connected technologies.
“I'm excited for you to be a part of our vision to see how innovation can create positive change, and to join us and work together for tomorrow,” Han said. “These developments will make sustainability part of your product experience, enabling you to live a more sustainable life.”
The CES event is the world's largest tech event, giving visitors an opportunity to glimpse the latest trends in tech. The event will take place in the U.S. city for three days, from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7. Though it was scheduled to be held for four days, the organizer decided to proceed for three days amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus Omicron variant.
Mentioning that consumers can participate in creating a better future by using sustainable products, the vice chairman introduced Samsung's efforts and future plans to enhance sustainability.
Samsung has been realizing its vision by adopting new, low-impact product manufacturing practices and carbon-reducing packaging, as well as practices for disposing of products at the end of their life cycle.
As part of its efforts to measure and reduce its carbon emissions throughout the production cycle, the company earned two types of carbon footprint certification from the Carbon Trust, which measures and certifies the environmental footprint of organizations, products and supply chains. In 2021, five of Samsung's memory chips earned the Reducing CO2 certification for cutting carbon emissions by nearly 680,000 tons.
Han also introduced the company's new TV controller, the SolarCell Remote, which eliminates battery waste with a built-in solar panel that can be charged any time of day and night.
“It will be included in more Samsung products like new Samsung TVs and home appliances, with the goal of eliminating more than 200 million batteries from landfills. When you line them up, it is the distance from right here, Las Vegas, to Korea,” the vice chairman said.
To let more companies use its eco-friendly products, Han added, “Eco-conscious technologies like the SolarCell Remote will be made open-source, so that others can utilize them for their new devices too.”
A model watches a video displayed through Samsung Electronics' portable beam projector, the Freestyle. Samsung said Wednesday that the new product will be displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
In addition to the keynote speech, Samsung also unveiled new products including a portable beam projector, the Freestyle. Weighing 830 grams, the gadget can display an image on any surface up to 100 inches in size. With its versatile cradle, users can rotate the gadget up to 180 degrees.
Models introduce SK Telecom's AI chip at its booth for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Wednesday. Courtesy of SK Telecom
SK Telecom also said that it will introduce what it calls “green ICT” at CES. In line with efforts towards net-zero emissions, the company will introduce the semiconductor chip, Sapeon, which features artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The AI chip is able to perform large-scale operations at the high speeds necessary for data centers while reducing power consumption. SK Telecom believes its AI chip can replace some portion of graphic chips, which consume a lot of electricity to process graphic information at data centers, consequently creating lower energy requirements.
The company will also introduce Single Radio Access Network technology that reduces power consumption by around 53 percent compared to the previous telecommunication equipment, by integrating and upgrading 3G and 4G network equipment.