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SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase” Is Now Open! Check Sharp’s Proposal for the Vision of Near Future

Venue of SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”

From today, September 17 (Tuesday) to 18 (Wednesday), SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase” is held at Tokyo International Forum (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), Sharp’s exclusive and a large-scale technology exhibition event where visitors can experience Sharp’s “Next Innovation.”

This event is held to propose Sharp’s vision of the near future, backed by its unique technologies, and to share this vision with various stakeholders such as customers, business partners, and collaboration partners, with the aim of accelerating next innovations.

Here are some topics from SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”

 

■Keynote Speech

Prior to the grand opening, Masahiro Okitsu, President and CEO, followed by Mototaka Taneya, Senior Executive Managing Officer, CTO and Head of the Next Innovation Group, gave opening speeches and explained Sharp’s AI initiatives.

Masahiro Okitsu, President and CEO

Keynote Speech<movie>

Following, Osamu Ogasawara professor from Kyoto University of the Arts and Taneya announced the joint development of a wearable device “AI Smart Link,” which enables easy and natural communication with generative AI just by wearing it around the neck.

* For details, please see the news release “Developed Wearable Device ‘AI Smart Link’(Japanese)”.

Mototaka Taneya, Senior Executive Managing Officer and CTO and Head of the Next Innovation Group, wearing a wearable device, AI Smart Link.


■Exhibition Contents of SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”

Using two exhibition venues, E2 Hall (Exhibition Hall) on the 2nd basement floor and Lobby Gallery on the 1st basement floor of Tokyo International Forum, we are exhibiting more than 50 AI-utilized technologies and solutions in five areas: “Next Innovation ‘EV’,” “Next Innovation ‘AI’,” “Smart Living,” “Next Communication,” and “Smart Industry,” surpassing last year’s scale.

●Next Innovation ‘EV’ Area

We introduce one of Sharp’s Next Innovations, EV concept model.

・EV Concept Model, “LDK+”

The newly unveiled “LDK+” is an EV that focuses on stationary time, viewing the interior as an extension of the living room.
It was planned and developed in collaboration with Hon Hai Technology Group(Foxconn)*1, based on an open EV platform*2, with the cooperation of Folofly Corporation*3. Utilizing our unique edge AI technology, CE-LLM, AIoT technology, and sensing technology, we propose a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle that connects EV with living spaces, people, and energy.

65-inch display is equipped in the rear of the vehicle
The rear seats rotate to face backward (the table can also move forward).

* For details, please see the press release “SHARP unveils the “LDK+” EV concept model at SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase””.

*1 Headquarters: New Taipei City, Taiwan, Chairman: Young Liu
*2 Developed by Foxconn.
*3 Headquarters: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, CEO: Hiroyasu Koma. A company that develops, sells, and provides after-sales service for EVs, as well as charging infrastructure services.
●Sharp Corporation is currently applying for the trademark “LDK+”.
●AIoT is a coined term combining AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things), and it is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation.

 

●Next Innovation “AI”Area

We introduce various AI-utilized technologies that can be applied in various business fields, along with the direction of AI implementation aimed by Sharp, including the edge AI technology CE-LLM*4.

・AI Smart Link 

The unique edge AI technology, CE-LLM, which was also exhibited last year, has further evolved. We are exhibiting a wearable device that enables easy and natural communication with generative AI just by wearing it around the neck, equipped with CE-LLM.It responds to users’ inquiries with audio voice after understanding the surrounding environment with built-in microphones and cameras.

AI Smart Link
(Left: Model without camera, right: Model with camera)
Demo of AI Smart Link(prototype)

* For details, please see the press release “Developed Wearable Device AI Smart Link(Japanese)”.

*4 The abbreviation of Communication Edge-Large Language Model. It is our proprietary AI technology that utilizes large language models (LLM) as edge AI. Since processing is done on the device, it offers high real-time performance and enables more natural communication. For content that cannot be answered by edge AI, detailed information is retrieved from cloud AI.
● CE-LLM’ is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation.”

Other Notable Exhibits

The AI Avatar 4K features a virtual guide equipped with CE-LLM technology to introduce the exhibit content.
“Dynabook XR Solution” by Dynabook Inc.
An ultra-compact camera that achieves high optical performance (high MTF/low distortion) and serves as a bridge to convey the user’s intentions to the AI world.

●Smart Living Area

We showcase how our lives will change with AI, including technologies in the smart home, healthcare, and energy fields.

・AI Healthcare Trainer 2.0 (Interactive UX using Generative AI)

Using a large-screen TV and camera, you can easily exercise in the living room through natural conversations with an AI trainer.
Using a large-screen TV and camera, you can easily exercise in the living room through natural conversations with an AI trainer.

Screen image displayed on TV
Demo of AI Healthcare Trainer 2.0

・Area selective heating technology

A technology that can defrost and heat up by areas multiple food items with optimum conditions. If different ingredients of a frozen meal or a lunch box can be heated to an appropriate state simultaneously, it is expected to expand the scenes of using frozen ingredients and contribute to reducing food loss.

Demo of Area selective heating (Defrosting and Heating) of Frozen Ingredients
Thermography Image Showing Area selective heating

・Other Notable Exhibits

A smart home solution that connects various devices to achieve a green and comfortable lifestyle
New drying technology that brings out the best in food, “High quality drying by vacuum decompression”
“Rapid freezing solution” to reduce food waste through new cooking and storage habits enabled by high-quality freezing,
“Air purifier with odor/scent sensor”, which visualizes the type of odor/scenets

●Next Communication Area

We aim to revitalize new industries in various places, including public spaces, by combining communication technology and AI.

・XR Glasses “MiRZA” (New XR Glasses Connected to Smartphones)

This is developed by NTT QONOQ Devices*5, a joint venture established by our company and NTT QONOQ*6. It is a lightweight glasses-type design weighing about 125g, with 6DoF*7 that can recognize the position and movement of the wearer in six directions (up, down, left, right, forward, backward), enabling an immersive content experience that blends into the real space.

Demo of wireless Connection with our smartphone AQUOS R9
Characters displayed on XR glasses

* For details, please see the press release “Announcing Lightweight and Wireless High-performance XR Glasses ‘MiRZA’ by NTT QONOQ Devices(Japanese)”.
Also, please refer to our press release “Sharp’s ‘AQUOS R9’ Quickly Supports NTT QONOQ Devices’ New XR Glasses ‘MiRZA’(Japanese).”.

*5 NTT QONOQ Device Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & Representative Director: Kiyotaka Hori)
*6 NTT QONOQ Inc (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Officer: Maruyama Seiji)
*7 “DoF” is a term that represents the number of directions of movement that can be accommodated in an XR experience. 6DoF corresponds to movement and rotation along the X, Y, and Z axes.

・Other Notable Exhibits

A smartphone equipped with generative AI that utilizes generative AI technology operating on the device. Demonstrates features such as a message assistant and spam call prevention
A high-precision indoor positioning solution using UWB that combines accurate location information, data from the smartphone, and generative AI.
Base station equipment and core devices are housed in a compact waterproof trunk case. Easily portable, it allows for the simple setup of a local 5G area anywhere with the “Instant 5G Network”
A compact and lightweight “LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite user terminal” using the latest Phased Array Antenna technology

* For details, please see the press release “Sharp to Collaborate with Furuno Electric in Developing LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) Satellite Communication Antennas.

●Smart Industry Area

We introduce AI-utilized technologies and solutions that provide new value to workplaces and mobility spaces such as offices and factories.

・Next-generation SQA Robotic Storage System

An example of business innovation using Simulated Quantum Annealing (SQA) technology to streamline the increasingly complex daily operations in logistics warehouses, introducing a system for storing and transporting goods using automatic transport robots.

・Other Notable Exhibits

“AI Zero-Shot Image Recognition and Proposing Solution to Problems”
It can understand the situation simply by inputting an image, and then show potential problems and propose their causes and solutions.
“Small projection head(Omject concept)” with separated head and light source for excellent color visibility
“Laser Diode Module for Agricultural Applications”
Laser diode contributes to pest control, bird repellent, and weed control without the use of chemicals.
Demo to track pest with Laser Diode Module for Agricultural Apoplications

This year, we are exhibiting many AI-related solutions and EV concept models centered around the evolved “CE-LLM,” allowing visitors to enjoy the next-generation technologies envisioned by Sharp. On the second day, September 18, we plan to hold five business sessions with our business managers. If you are in the area and still undecided, please come to the venue as it is a free event filled with dreams for the future.

(Public Relations H)  

<Related sites>

SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”
■Press Release:
SHARP unveils the “LDK+” EV concept model at SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”
Sharp to Collaborate with Furuno Electric in Developing LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) Satellite Communication Antennas
Sharp to hold Sharp Tech-Day ’24 Innovation Showcase

■SHARP Blog:

 

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