The company plans to equip farming machines such as tractors with sensors that alert the driver of road dangers, and help to prevent potential accidents. (image: Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning)
SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – Three new government initiatives will make use of the latest smart devices to help improve the lives of elderly farmers and the disabled.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Promotion, in partnership with the local governments of Andong, Jeonju, and Pocheon, recently selected three ideas by SMEs and startups to be implemented in the public sector.
The purpose of the new undertakings is to improve the public’s quality of life, while helping businesses make further progress in their respective industries, said officials.
A project dubbed “Safe-Driving Service of Farming Machinery for Elderly” will be led by Gwangjin Enterprise, based in Andong.
The company plans to equip farming machines such as tractors with sensors that alert the driver of road dangers, and help to prevent potential accidents. City officials said that 300 elderly farmers will benefit from the project, which is expected to be completed by March.
A wearable IT device developed by Human Media Tech notifies the disabled of emergency situations such as fire via vibrations and display alerts. (image: Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning)
The Jeonju project, on the other hand, will help those with hearing impairment.
A wearable IT device developed by Human Media Tech notifies the disabled of emergency situations such as fire via vibrations and display alerts, while at the same time sending the wearer’s location data to his or her guardians. A total of 200 of the devices will be supplied to local residents by the end of the month, officials said.
Finally, Inno CNS, based in Pocheon, is introducing a “Parking Maintenance Service for the Disabled” at 100 parking lots in the city, including supermarkets, public health centers, and the city hall.
The devices, which will be installed at parking spots reserved for people with disabilities, will help disabled drivers by providing information related to their location and availability using a smartphone application.
(image: Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning)
“Together, the projects will set an example of how smart devices used in the public service sector can help improve the livelihood of citizens,” said a ministry official. “We’ll continue our support of such technology to assist local businesses to discover new market opportunities while boosting public welfare.”
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
