[MWC??] Asked AI Robot "How About a Drink Tonight?" and Got...

Communication and Interaction with Humans... Integration with Entertainment
Ambitiously Unveiling On-Device AI Devices
Experts Focus on UAM and Satellite Communication

The Middle Eastern telecommunications company e& exhibited the humanoid robot 'Ameca' at MWC 2024.
[Photo by Kim Bo-kyung]

"A foldable smartphone that wraps around your wrist, a laptop with a transparent screen, and robots that make facial expressions and converse like humans."

This year at the world's largest mobile exhibition held in Spain, 'MWC 2024,' a variety of new products utilizing cutting-edge technology provided a rich spectacle.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a keyword at MWC for several years, but this year emphasized the 'Humanizing AI,' focusing on technologies that interact with people and closely connect with daily life.

On the second day of MWC, the 27th (local time), the Barcelona International Exhibition Center was crowded with numerous visitors from the morning, showing the world's interest in AI and communication technologies. According to the organizers, about 90,000 visitors attended over two days.

Companies attracted visitors by adding entertainment elements such as sports and games to AI technology.

At the global telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom's exhibition hall, visitors could experience a soccer game using a large screen game console with 3D glasses. An event was held where the person who scored the highest in the game received two tickets to watch the European Football Championship 'Euro 2024.'

Intel showcased a device that allows training by mimicking the movements of athletes on the screen, and China Mobile attracted attention by presenting robots that play Janggi (Korean chess) and Baduk (Go) with people.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) telecom company e& exhibited the humanoid robot 'Ameca,' which makes facial expressions like a human and engages in natural conversations.

When a visitor playfully asked Ameca, "Are you going out for a drink tonight?" the robot replied, "A drink? Unfortunately, I can't do that. I can't drink alcohol. But I think I should enjoy some fun too," causing laughter among those nearby.

Motorola's concept-type foldable phone.
Photo by Kim Bokyung

In the device sector, on-device AI was also a hot topic. Most smartphones ambitiously introduced by companies were equipped with AI functions.

On-device AI phones are equipped with high-spec hardware to ensure smooth AI functionality, and some functions can be processed within the device without sending data to cloud servers.

The foldable phone presented by Motorola as a concept model not only folds freely but can also be worn wrapped around the wrist. You can set the phone in a hill shape and enjoy games with a friend sitting opposite you, and it also recommended several wallpapers similar to photos taken with the phone using generative AI technology.

Deutsche Telekom's AI phone recognized user voices and handled various everyday functions through an AI assistant, from booking flights to recommending gifts and checking reviews.

The Xiaomi 14 series, an AI phone, also featured a function that deletes specific objects such as items or people in photos, or shadows in food pictures.

At the China Mobile exhibition hall, a visitor is playing Go with a robot.
[Photo by Kim Bo-kyung]

The Korea Information and Communication Industry Association (KICTA) held a networking event for Korean participants at MWC in Port Vell, Barcelona, in the afternoon. Experts from various fields shared their impressions of visiting MWC at this event.

Professor Choi Jae-hong of Gachon University, who has been attending MWC for 13 years, said that Chinese companies stood out. He stated, "Companies like Huawei, ZTE, and Xiaomi are releasing high-quality yet affordable devices," adding, "Korean companies need to respond to this."

Patent attorney Byun from the patent law firm BLT said he paid attention to satellite communication operators such as OneWeb, Starlink, and SES and personally attended related keynotes. He predicted, "It is difficult to provide AI services like IoT and digital twins based on current mobile communication infrastructure," and "Ultimately, satellite communication companies will build the hardware infrastructure."

Lee Jong-hoon, CEO of 'Xplore Investment,' a venture investment company established by GS Construction, focused on the future brought by Urban Air Mobility (UAM). He said, "Is there any item that symbolically shows this year's MWC theme (The Future Comes First) as much as UAM?" and added, "UAM is said to be officially operated in Dubai the year after next. It's a near future."