"Preventing Traffic Accidents in School Zones" Traffic Safety Smartphone Solution Passes Sandbox

KCCI-Ministry of Science and ICT Hold 'ICT Regulatory Sandbox' Deliberation Committee Meeting
Approval of 8 Cases Including Wired and Wireless Converged Internet Telephony

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] A traffic safety smartphone solution that prevents accidents by notifying real-time traffic accident risks through a mobile app has passed the sandbox. A wired-wireless converged internet phone service that allows the use of internet calls (070) on smartphones and a display notification service where cars communicate via text alerts will also be launched in the market.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox Support Center and the Ministry of Science and ICT held the ‘ICT Regulatory Sandbox Deliberation Committee’ on the 23rd at Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul.

On this day, the committee approved eight cases: ① Traffic Safety Smartphone Solution (LG Electronics) ② Wired-Wireless Converged Internet Phone Service (LG Uplus) ③ Vehicle Display Notification Service (Unict) ④ Non-face-to-face Rehabilitation Training and Counseling Service (H Robotics) ⑤ Shared Kitchen Service (Kitchen Standard) ⑥~⑦ Non-face-to-face Medical Consultation Services for Overseas Koreans (iCare Doctor, MediBuddy) ⑧ Pet Registration Service Using Animal Facial Recognition Technology (Fable).

Traffic Safety Smartphone Solution: Mobile App Detects Traffic Accident Risks and Sends Real-Time Alerts

LG Electronics’ traffic safety smartphone solution, ‘Soft V2X,’ passed the sandbox. Soft V2X is a system that detects collision risks not only between vehicles and pedestrians but also between vehicles and motorcycles, and between vehicles themselves, to prevent accidents.

Based on the user’s location information, it analyzes location, movement direction, speed, etc., in real time, and when a collision risk is detected, it sends warning messages via screen, sound, and vibration to the smartphone. Unlike existing V2X systems that require separate terminals, anyone can use it with just a smartphone.

Under the current Location Information Act, providing personal location information to a third party requires notifying and obtaining consent from the personal location information subject about the ‘recipient, provision time, and purpose.’ However, for V2X, which shares personal location information in real time with an unspecified number of people, it was practically impossible to notify and obtain consent each time location information was used.

The Korea Communications Commission permitted a market test, stating, “If conducted free of charge for a specific period, specific area, and specific target, location information usage regulations do not apply.”

Wired-Wireless Converged Internet Phone Service: Use Internet Calls (070) Anytime, Anywhere on Smartphones

The wired-wireless converged internet phone service (LG Uplus) was also allowed to launch in the market. This service combines wired internet networks and LTE routers, enabling ① immediate switching to mobile networks for calls in case of wired internet network failure, allowing worry-free use of internet calls; ② use of mobile networks in areas without wired networks; and ③ sending and receiving internet calls (070) on smartphones.

Under the current Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act, registration requirements for telecommunications carriers are only divided into wireless and wired businesses, making it unclear whether wired-wireless converged internet phone services are possible. The Ministry of Science and ICT allowed market launch, stating, “Wired-wireless converged internet phone service corresponds to an ‘additional service of internet phone service’ and can be launched after reporting terms of use under the Telecommunications Business Act.”

AI-Based Pet Registration Service: Register Pets by Taking Photos with Smartphones

The committee also additionally approved previously passed similar cases, including AI facial recognition-based pet registration service (Fable), shared kitchen (Kitchen Standard), non-face-to-face rehabilitation training service (H Robotics), and non-face-to-face medical consultation for overseas Koreans (iCare Doctor, MediBuddy).

The pet registration service using facial recognition technology identifies pets by analyzing distinctive features such as eyes and nose when a photo of the pet’s face is taken with a smartphone. If a pet is lost, uploading the facial photo to the app immediately reveals the pet’s name and owner information.

Under the current Animal Protection Act, pet registration is mandatory, but only registration methods using embedded or external wireless identification devices are allowed. Embedded devices require visiting a veterinary hospital to implant a chip inside the pet’s body, and external devices are detachable, posing a high risk of loss, resulting in low usage. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the pet registration rate was only 38.6% as of 2020.

Meanwhile, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox Support Center is the first private sandbox organization in Korea. It supports all industrial sectors including ICT convergence, industrial convergence, and financial innovation sandboxes. Since its launch in May last year, 129 innovative products and services have received sandbox exemptions. Companies unable to commercialize due to loopholes or outdated laws and regulations can receive free consulting from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox. The service is free of charge.