[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] At CES2021, the world's largest IT exhibition that opened on the 11th (local time), Korean companies swept the CES Innovation Awards given to innovative companies and products.
According to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Industry Association (KICTA) on the 13th, 386 products received the CES Innovation Award this year, of which 100 products from Korean companies accounted for about 26%.
The CES Innovation Award is given by about 50 expert judges who select the most innovative products among those submitted in eight categories each year.
Samsung Electronics received innovation awards for 44 products, and LG Electronics received 24. Naver, Amorepacific, Coway, SK Magic, as well as mid-sized, small, and startup companies won 32 awards.
Samsung Electronics received two Best Innovation Awards each in the TV and mobile categories, setting a record of winning the Best Innovation Award in the TV category for 10 consecutive years. Including the Best Innovation Awards, Samsung Electronics received a total of 44 innovation awards in TV (16), audio (3), monitors (1), home appliances (9), mobile (11), and semiconductors (4).
LG Electronics was selected for a record-high 24 CES Innovation Awards, including two Best Innovation Awards in this evaluation. The 48-inch OLED TV and the 'Knock-On Magic Space' refrigerator, which opens the door by voice alone, won the Best Innovation Award in the gaming and home appliance categories, respectively.
The LG OLED TV, which received five innovation awards in three categories including sustainability, eco-design, and smart energy, won the Best Innovation Award for two consecutive years following last year and set a record of winning the Innovation Award for nine consecutive years since its launch in 2013.
Small and Medium Enterprises Also Win Many CES Innovation Awards
The CES Innovation Award holds great significance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well. Although they lack brand power and face difficulties entering the global market, winning the innovation award helps raise their excellence and corporate brand value worldwide.
KICTA explained that SME V-Touch won an innovation award for its virtual touch panel product, which analyzes users with AI (artificial intelligence) technology to accurately detect position and movement, allowing operation from a distance as if touching directly, similar to touch input.
In addition, ATsense won an innovation award for the country's first wearable ECG monitor capable of continuous measurement for over 10 days, and Parkers received an innovation award for a non-contact sterilization box using UVC LED (ultraviolet light-emitting diode).
Lee Hanbeom, Executive Vice Chairman of KICTA, said, "Although the event was held online, domestic SMEs and startups won excellent innovation awards, confirming their leading position in innovative technology."
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