Outstanding startups
Technologies are also revolutionizing smart-home devices, providing a safer and environmentally friendly way of living.
AICO Technologies, a Singapore-based smart-living automation creator, was honored as one of the "Most Promising Startups". The smart egg created by the company stores all the control demands of the user's home devices which can be controlled through an app. The system is backed up by more than 200,000 different IR remote data.
"You can also customize the control pad on the app to create your very own scenes. Like you can combine the control button of the television, speaker and set-top box into one button and switch the appliances with only one touch," said Sydney Shi, co-founder and CEO of AICO. "Besides, you can manage the opening time of each appliance via the app," he added.
With a focus on the smart-living egg development since its founding in 2014, the company has introduced the third-generation smart egg with intelligent function that tracks mobile movements and positions, allowing users control of home appliances without having to awaken the phone.
"The tradition of one remote control for one appliance is gradually being replaced as it's neither convenient nor sustainable," Shi explained. "Though it still takes a while for the public to fully accept the smart-home technology, we are sure smart living is the future," he said.
Another award winner was AROVIA - a US-based portable desktop-sized screen creator. Its Spontaneous Pop-Up Display (SPUD), 24-inch with high resolution, can be folded into a book-sized device weighing 2 pounds and be connected to smartphones, tablets or laptops.
"Alex, the other co-founder, and I met at university. He came up with the original idea four years ago and we found we don't really want to confine ourselves to the laptop screen," said George Zhu, co-founder and CTO of AROVIA. "The SPUD is not just a product, but a necessity in our own daily lives, a large and portable screen," he said.
The SPUD is manufactured in the Pearl River Delta, with its core technical team based in the US. Still exploring the mass market, AROVIA, with just four staff at present, is trying to reach more market potentials.
The high demand for smartphones has boosted the wireless charging market. CNA Co, a Korean provider of wireless, rechargeable intelligent cradles for smartphones, was also another winner in the startup category.
Combining ordering and charging into one cradle, CNA solved the pain points in catering shops that costumers may find it difficult to charge on the move and order with long queues. Embedded with the company's patented near-field communication (NFC) technology, the X-can cradle detects and enables technologies within short distances to communicate without internet connection.
Currently, CNA plans to develop a wireless charger combining navigation. "You can charge your phone while navigating when driving," said Dongsu Cha, CEO of CNA Co. "We're trying to come up with more smart solutions for daily use," he added.
The Global Sources 2018 fall edition runs in three phases from Oct 11 to 30, showcasing more than 9,000 booths of innovative gadgets, smart living automations, fashions, gifts and home products. The third phase - Global Sources Lifestyle and Global Sources Fashion - will be co-located at the expo from Oct 27 to 30.
