SEOUL, S.KOREA, Dec 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – HFR, Inc. (KOSDAQ 230240), a leading Private 5G solution provider, has deployed an end-to-end Private 5G network for the “Smart Agricultural Product Distribution and Storage Technology Development Project” sponsored by the Korea Communications Agency (KCA).
Agricultural Product Fulfillment & Distribution Center – This project aims to develop automated agricultural product sorting and packaging solutions using robotics, sensors, autonomous vehicles and 5G connectivity.
This project aims to develop automated agricultural product sorting and packaging solutions using robotics, sensors, autonomous vehicles and 5G connectivity. These solutions offer enhanced capabilities and improved operations across multi-variety crop processing at a fresh agricultural product fulfillment and distribution center.
The completion of Phase I included automatic sorting and packaging, as well as environmental control optimization throughout the Private 5G network. Phase II is under planning to promote further commercialization, additional features, and technology advancements targeted to be introduced in 2024 to 2026.
HFR built this Private 5G network based on its own technologies. Performance testing and certification were conducted by an accredited testing institution last October with the KCA.
Cho Beom-Geun, Head of HFR’s Product and Service Division, stated, “Private 5G is key to building communications infrastructure in the industrial ecosystem as part of the government’s policy. HFR believes this Private 5G network solution will serve as a foundation to expand into many businesses in the future using proven private 5G network solutions as a digital transformation (DX) enabler for SMEs and public institutions.”
About HFR, Inc.:
HFR, Inc. (KOSDAQ 230240) is the leading ICT equipment vendor in Korea, offering a full range of optical transport, broadband access with WiFi products, and Private 5G. For the last 23 years, HFR has provided innovative products to the world’s largest mobile operators. HFR has established strong partnerships with Korean mobile operators resulting in leading-edge technology, field-proven deployments, and expansion into the global market. For more information, visit www.hfrnet.com.
NEW YORK, Dec 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance & Standardizationannounces the initiation of a groundbreaking project aimed at establishing a Distributed Autonomous Organization (DAO). The pilot project is a collaborative effort showcasing how public sector organizations can leverage blockchain technology and DAO principles to foster transparent, rules-based, and high-integrity governance structures.
UN – IGF Dynamic Coalitions are multistakeholder groups operating within the framework of the UN Internet Governance Forum, addressing specific issues related to internet governance. These coalitions are independent entities within the UN-IGF and bring together diverse stakeholders to collaborate on focused topics, fostering dialogue and producing outputs such as reports and guidelines.
A Distributed Autonomous Organization (DAO) is an organization governed by a set of rules encoded as smart contracts on a blockchain, operating on principles of decentralization and automation. In a DAO, decision-making and governance processes are encoded into smart contracts on a blockchain, enabling members to participate in the organization’s activities without the need for traditional hierarchical structures. DAOs typically utilize digital tokens for voting and decision-making, and their rules are transparently and immutably recorded on the blockchain. This decentralized approach aims to create trust, transparency, and efficiency, allowing members to collectively manage resources, make decisions, and execute actions based on predefined rules without the need for centralized control.
According to one of the groups co-leaders, Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio who also is the CIO of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, “This initiative signifies a pivotal step toward establishing innovative and secure governance models, ensuring that blockchain technology can be harnessed for the benefit of public sector organizations. The UN IGF DC-BAS remains committed to fostering collaboration, transparency, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.”
The Dynamic Coalition is hosted by the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), a non-profit that helps the public and private sector connect, communicate, and collaborate. The GBA provides the infrastructure support for the organization. The Dynamic Coalition is also co-led by the GBA Executive Director, Gerard Dache and along with Mr. Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio, they lead a public, open forum multi-stakeholder coalition from around the world that meets on a monthly basis.
The technology being used for this pilot project is donated by a GBA member, Gosh, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution that allows developers to run smart contracts on-chain for free. The pilot will also liaise with other GBA working groups, including:
Cambridge, UK, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – In anticipation of the festive season, Jack Evergreen Bike Store is pleased to announce a series of Christmas deals tailored for cyclists in the UK and Europe. Renowned for its commitment to quality and affordability, Jack Evergreen has curated a selection of bikes to cater to all preferences and riding styles.
Customers visiting JackEvergreen.com will find exclusive discounts on road bikes, mountain bikes, and various accessories, making it the ideal destination for those seeking the perfect holiday gift or looking to upgrade their cycling gear.
The store’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond the holiday discounts. With swift and reliable shipping services covering the UK and all of Europe, Jack Evergreen ensures that customers receive their orders promptly, allowing them to enjoy their new bikes during the festive season.
“Jack Evergreen Bike Store aims to make quality cycling accessible to all riders. Our Christmas deals are designed to provide enthusiasts with the opportunity to embrace the joy of cycling with top-notch equipment at unbeatable prices,” says Lee Harper, spokesperson for Jack Evergreen.
In addition to the seasonal offers, Jack Evergreen emphasizes its dedication to customer confidence and satisfaction. The online store provides a user-friendly shopping experience, allowing customers to easily manage their orders, explore various product options, and track shipments.
As the year comes to a close, Jack Evergreen invites cyclists of all levels to visit JackEvergreen.com and take advantage of these special Christmas deals. Embrace the spirit of the season, elevate your cycling experience, and ride into the New Year with Jack Evergreen Bike Store.
Drilling at the MIA 1 Zone has defined multiple stacked continuous shallowly-dipping spodumene-bearing pegmatite bodies.
The potential of the MIA 1 Zone is demonstrated by drill holes MIA23-008 and MIA23-011 with aggregate core intervals of 17.17 m and 31.8 m, respectively, of mineralized pegmatite over several intervals.
There has been sufficient drilling at the MIA 1 Zone that models approximately 250 m long (north-south) by 90 m wide (east-west) and 8-to-10 m thick (core length) and is interpreted to be up to 300 m wide, open to the north, west and extending eastward towards the MIA 2 Zone.
Drilling at the Carte Zone has defined two stacked shallowly-dipping spodumene-bearing pegmatite bodies with the near-surface pegmatite body ranging in thickness between 3.4 and 7.3 m (core length).
A total of 31 holes, for approximately 5,601 metres was completed over the Mia Trend this fall.
The Mia Trend covers approximately 10 km of the Mia Property. During the fall mapping program, nine (9) additional pegmatites were identified that contained visual spodumene. The multiple mineralized zones defined along the Mia Trend will be drill tested in 2024.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(ACN Newswire – December 20, 2023) – Q2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: QTWO) (OTCQB: QUEXF) (FSE: 458) (“Q2” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an update on its inaugural drill program at its wholly owned, 8,668-ha Mia Lithium Property (the “Property“) located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of Quebec. The current target drill area is the approximately 10-kilometre-long Mia Lithium Exploration Trend (the “Mia Trend“) which is located 22 km from the Billy Diamond Highway, proximal to major hydro-powerline and all-season road infrastructure.
“The fall drill program at the Mia Property has provided meaningful intercepts demonstrating connectivity along the Mia Trend. Our team has done an excellent job on the ground and were able to drill significant meterage considering the delays getting on the ground due to the fires this summer,” commented Alicia Milne, President, CEO, and Director of the Company. “The drill program has progressed well, and we look forward to providing further updates as assays are received.”
The inaugural drill program began on October 23, 2023, and has now concluded for winter freeze-up. A total of 31 drill holes were completed on the Mia Trend for approximately 5,601 metres (Figure 1). One drill rig was used to test the main MIA 1, 2 & 3 zones (17 holes) while the other rig tested the Carte Zone (eight holes) and the greater Mia Trend (six holes at zones MIA 7,8 & 9).
The work completed at the MIA 1 Zone (Figure 2) successfully traced the shallowly-dipping pegmatite between the southern fence of holes (MIA23-003/005/006/001) and the northern fence of holes (MIA23-021/024), for a north-south distance of 250 m and an east-west distance of approximately 90 m. Initial interpretations suggest that the same pegmatite bodies may extend eastward toward holes MIA23-014/016A at the MIA 2 Zone for an east-west distance of 300 m. The other mineralized bodies located vertically above will require additional work to model.
Drilling at the Carte Zone, which is at the eastern end of the 10 km Mia Trend, has defined two shallowly-dipping pegmatite bodies (Figure 4). The near-surface pegmatite body ranges in thickness between 3.4 and 7.3 m (core length).
The geological team has completed the processing of all 2023 drill holes, and the samples have been dispatched to the lab for analysis. The preliminary pegmatite intervals of each drill hole are reported in Table 1 and the basic location and dip/azimuth details are also included below in Table 2.
The presence of spodumene in drill core is based primarily on visual identification, and a portable LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) analyzer was used to confirm the presence of lithium, which strongly suggests the presence of spodumene. There are drill holes that have intersected pegmatite without visual identification of spodumene however, analytical results will ultimately confirm the presence of lithium mineralization.
Initial mineralogical work by SGS Canada Inc. in the form of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) from the MIA 1 and Carte zones collected during the June 2023 sampling program has confirmed that lithium mineralization is 100% and 99.4%, respectively, dominated by the mineral spodumene.
Core sample analytical results for the Fall 2023 drill program are anticipated to be received over the course of the next 2-3 months, subject to laboratory turn-around times.
The winter drill program will commence in late January 2024. A winter access trail, approximately 30 km in length, has been opened which extends site access from the Wemindji Road to the entire Mia Trend. The winter access trail will improve access to the Mia Trend and will reduce drilling costs significantly due to less reliance on helicopters.
The winter drill program will be designed to expand the subsurface pegmatite zone at the MIA 1 and MIA 2 zones, define the extent of the Carte Zone and test the other mineralized zones along the Mia Trend. The ground sampling program in September 2023 defined 11 mineralized zones along the Mia Trend and to date, only seven zones have been drill-tested. It is anticipated that the 2024 drill program will consist of at least 4,000 metres and may be upsized if results continue to be positive.
The Company remains well funded with in excess of $9 million in treasury and is focused on advancing new lithium pegmatite discoveries at the Property.
Further to the Company’s news release on November 2, 2023, the NSR buy-back from 9219-8845 QC Inc. (“CMH“), and its subsequent termination has been completed. The 2% Net Smelter Production Royalty (“NSR”) held by CMH on certain claims was acquired for $888,400 and the issuance of 1,400,000 common shares, at a deemed price of $0.544 per share. The common shares are restricted from trading until April 20, 2024.
Following the termination, the Mia Property has a 1% NSR on all claims, held by Lithium Royalty Corp., as well as an additional 1% NSR on 28 claims, held by Franco-Nevada Corporation.
Qualified Person
Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, is a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed the technical information in this news release. Mr. McCallum is a director and VP Exploration of Q2.
About Q2 Metals Corp
Q2 Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company currently advancing exploration at the 10-kilometre-long Mia Trend on its 8,668-ha flagship Mia Lithium Property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of Quebec, Canada which is host to both the MIA 1 and MIA 2 lithium occurrences as well as multiple mineralized zones. The Company also owns the Stellar Lithium Property with 77 claims totaling 3,972-ha, located approximately six kilometres north of its Mia Lithium Property.
Q2 also holds the highly prospective Big Hill and Titan gold projects covering approximately 110 km² in the Talgai Goldfields of the broader Warwick-Texas District of Queensland, Australia. The Big Hill Gold Project is host to 54 high-grade historical gold mines.
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “will”, “potential”, “scheduled” or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Accordingly, all statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, any statements or plans regard the geological prospects of the Company’s properties and the future exploration endeavors of the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the focus of the Company’s current and future exploration and drill programs, the scale, scope and location of future exploration and drilling activities, the Company’s expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the completion of the NSR buy-back and termination on the terms stated or at all, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same. Readers are cautioned that mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business and accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
BANGKOK, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – SCG Decor PCL (SET: SCGD) debuted on the SET with the largest IPO of the year. The company is advancing its investment plan to foster stronger growth while implementing a strategy to grow its business by expanding into the decorative surface materials and sanitary ware markets in the ASEAN region.
Mr. Numpol Malichai, CEO and President of SCG Decor PCL (SCGD), reported that the company successfully traded its shares (SET: SCGD) for the first time on December 20, 2023, on the SET under the construction materials category. This significant move is part of the strategic restructuring of SCGD’s business to position itself as the core company within the SCG group, focusing on decorative surface materials and sanitary ware products. It aims to strengthen its financial position to support business expansion plans, ensure working capital for ongoing operations, and adjust capital structures. With over 40 years of experience and expertise in the industry, SCGD is confident that its plans to expand into the decorative surface materials and sanitary ware markets in the ASEAN region will drive robust growth.
The company has continuous plans for investment expansion, having already invested in various projects. These include initiatives such as:
1. Investments to reduce energy costs and enhance production efficiency, such as installing solar power generation systems in factories utilizing biomass for hot air production in the production powder for tile manufacturing in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam to reduce natural gas and coal consumption; reusing heat from furnaces in the production processes in Vietnam and the Philippines; upgrading production lines and kilns to accommodate new products and improve efficiency.
2. Production line investment projects, including establishing a state-of-the-art SPC tile factory in Saraburi; expanding the production capacity for large-sized tiles and glazed porcelain in Vietnam; studying plans for setting up a new sanitary ware factory.
The company sees opportunities to expand the market for sanitary ware and a diverse range of decorative surface material products in the ASEAN region. This market has great growth potential due to economic trends, growing population, and rising incomes. The company has formulated key strategies for business expansion, including:
1) Expanding the sanitary ware business in ASEAN by leveraging strong production bases in Thailand, sourcing products from China and Vietnam, accepting a broad range of branded products, and expanding its retail and online channels, including distributor networks in Vietnam.
2) Strengthen Thailand’s decorative surface materials business and expand it to ASEAN. This involves increasing sales of High-Value Added (HVA) products, studying investment plans for tile factories in southern Vietnam, expanding markets through SCG’s sales channels, expanding the SPC tile market in ASEAN, and investing in projects to expand and enhance production efficiency.
3) Expanding related products and services to reinforce leadership in comprehensive surface decoration and sanitary ware services. This includes adding to the product portfolio and collaborating with potential partners in ASEAN.
4) Managing the production supply chain efficiently, focusing on cost management, sourcing, and improving production efficiency towards a Smart & Green Factory to enhance profit-making capabilities.
5) Sustainable growth through developing eco-friendly products and environmentally friendly production processes. The company aims to increase the proportion of SCG Green Choice products to 80% of sales by 2040 and strives towards Net Zero Carbon by 2060.
Although the company’s performance in the first 9 months of 2023 slightly lagged compared to the same period in the previous year, given the real estate situation in Vietnam, with revenue from sales at 21,522 million baht and a net profit of 760 million baht (after adjusting for non-recurring items), in the third quarter of 2023, the company achieved revenue from sales of 7,186 million baht and a net profit of 280 million baht (after adjusting for non-recurring items), representing an increase of 1.1% and 22.9%, respectively, compared to the previous quarter. This reflects an overall improvement in the economy, having passed its lowest point, and a positive trend in the market for the upcoming year. The company maintains a robust financial position, with a net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.3. Additionally, the gradually decreasing natural gas prices have positively impacted the company’s production costs.
Mr. Pichet Sithi-Amnuai, President of Bualuang Securities Public Company Limited, acting as financial advisor and underwriter, stated that SCGD is a robust company in various dimensions. It is a leader in the decorative surface and sanitary ware products business in the ASEAN region, holding the number one market share for ceramic tiles in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Moreover, it is also the top market share holder for sanitary ware products in Thailand. The company is recognized and accepted across the ASEAN region, covering a wide customer base. It has a skilled product design and development team, modern production processes and technologies, comprehensive regional distribution channels, and is committed to sustainable growth under ESG principles.
The SCGD IPO is considered the largest this year, with a market capitalization of 18,975 million baht at the IPO price. The securities have recently been registered on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, replacing COTTO, which was delisted following its business structure adjustment plan. The IPO includes the first-ever offering to the general public and an offering to existing COTTO shareholders, involving 439,100,000 shares, equivalent to 26.61% of the company’s total issued and paid-up ordinary shares. The offering has received positive responses from investors and existing COTTO shareholders who responded well to the share purchase offer.
Distributed by MT Multimedia Co., Ltd. on behalf of SCG Decor PCLi (SCGD) For more information, please contact Thiyaporn Sriadunphan (Dah) Tel: +66 87 556 6974 l, Email: thiyaporn.s@mtmultimedia.com
SYDNEY, AU, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 concluded on December 15th at the iconic International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). The event, organized by Koelnmesse Pte Ltd and ACM SIGGRAPH, a renowned special interest group within the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), marked a tremendous success in shaping the future of animation, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and related Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques technologies. With 5,690 attendees hailing from more than 40 countries and featuring 30 exhibiting brands, the conference and exhibition exemplified the industry’s vibrant dynamism and rapid growth.
SIGGRAPH Asia 2023
SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Conference Chair June Kim said, “As the curtain falls on SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 in Sydney, it stands out as a brilliant success. Thousands of visitors from over 40 countries experienced innovation at its peak, with over 30 leading brands and impactful presentations setting new standards in computer graphics and interactive techniques. From keynotes by luminaries to groundbreaking showcases and awards, we’re grateful for the support of computer, animation, and tech visionaries. Special thanks to our partners in Sydney for being tremendous hosts.”
Key Highlights and Achievements
The SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Conference and Exhibition represented a vibrant showcase of the latest developments in the Computer Graphics (CG) arena. Luminaries Jun Murai of Keio University and Joe Letteri from Weta FX, shared invaluable insights with their keynote presentations on “Internet Civilization: A New Frontier for Humankind” and “Innovation & Avatar: The Way of Water” respectively.
The event buzzed with intellectual stimulation. Featured sessions included speakers like Rob Bredow of Industrial Light & Magic, and Paul Debevec of Netflix, who offered unique perspectives, touching on themes ranging from the synergy of art and technology to the frontiers of virtual production. Forward-thinking panels delved into the latest trends in Character Animation, VFX, Digital Humans, and the future of computer animation tools.
The Conference also took a compelling look into how a hybrid society is emerging via extended reality by exploring how with Digital Twin, artifacts, space, and humans can be replicated in a digital form. One of the highlights was a real-time demonstration that demonstrated how digital twin, big data visualization, and extended reality can connect from Sydney to other cities via Super Speed Connectivity.
Much conversation at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 revolved around Generative AI, a topic that was brought up at numerous sessions. These sessions delved into the intricacies and applications of Generative AI, providing valuable insights, and expanding the overall understanding of this cutting-edge technology.
Fostering Future Talent and Education
The theme ‘Connecting Stories’ rang true among participants, who described how important it was to convey how their technology was being applied in an everyday sense – whether it be to help blind people navigate, or an apparatus that uses sign language. Students, Researchers, and Academics mingled with those from industry, sharing their ideas and work in progress.
Attracting newcomers to the industry is important, and so SIGGRAPH Asia sought ways to proactively interest the young. Another notable highlight of the conference was the Computer Animation Festival, which featured an eclectic mix of 38 films, ranging from narrative shorts to scientific visualizations. It included works from the inaugural Junior Computer Animation Festival, which brought to life the event’s commitment to fostering new talent.
Technological Showcases and Inclusivity
SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 was a technological extravaganza. Emerging technologies were showcased that are set to redefine the industry. Over 900 Technical Papers were submitted to SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 and juried by more than 180 experts and over 3,000 anonymous peer reviewers.
Courses and Talks sessions, particularly those focusing on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence on the tools the industry uses, were a window into the future of the industry. New tools offer potential in lowering the barriers to entry for more artists and designers to join the computer graphics and interactive techniques sectors.
Inspiring panel discussions underscored how SIGGRAPH Asia places emphasis on creating a neuro-diverse and inclusive community, providing a nurturing environment for discussions and learning as to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Recognizing Excellence
Outstanding individuals and teams were celebrated through multiple esteemed awards programs (refer to this link). Among the notable honorees, Australian artist Paul Brown received the prestigious Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art from SIGGRAPH ACM and Singaporean Associate Professor Yong Tsui (YT) Lee was honored with the SIGGRAPH ACM Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his nurturing and fostering of the SIGGRAPH Asia community and Conference.
An intriguing Exhibition
Visitors to the SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Exhibition left with their imaginations ignited by the boundless potential of technology. From healthcare and transportation to the vast realms of space and entertainment, technology was showcased as a powerful force bringing visualization and interactive tools into our everyday lives. Prominent industry leaders, including FORUM8, Adobe, NVIDIA, Industrial Light and Magic, MSI, Vicon, and Weta FX exhibited, offering glimpses into the future of Animation & Visual Effects, Augmented Reality, Cloud-based Systems, Computer Graphics, Interactive & Innovative Technologies, Gaming Technologies, Imaging, Virtual Reality & Simulation, Visualization, and much more.
People attended Demoscene to see the very cutting-edge of computer demonstrations, and the Experience Hall to participate in an immersive Art Gallery, an Extended Reality (XR) program, and witness the emergence of the very latest Emerging Technologies for CGI, special effects (FX) and animation.
Adding to the allure of the event were the exhilarating Exhibitor Talks, featuring influential speakers from Adobe, Canva, DNEG, Foundry, Gigabyte, NVIDIA, and Pixar Animation Studios, who enthralled and inspired audiences with the latest advancements in technology and the innovative techniques that are shaping the future.
To Tokyo and Beyond
As SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 drew to a close, it left an indelible mark on Sydney participants, many of whom had never attended a SIGGRAPH event prior. Hosting the event in Sydney is a reflection of the nation’s growing importance in the global computer graphics industry. The local surge in activities in both 2D and 3D animation work is evident in the increasing demand for artists and expansion of local production companies in these fields, and insofar as local companies are expanding their capabilities and adopting new technologies for series work.
Conference Chair June Kim encapsulated the spirit of the event, expressing gratitude to the supporters and looking forward to the next edition in Tokyo: “I am deeply grateful to all the local and international supporters for making this edition in Sydney exceptionally memorable and successful. We eagerly anticipate the next gathering in Tokyo in early December 2024!”
Commenting on the importance of SIGGRAPH Asia, Rob Coleman said, “It has truly been an honour to co-chair the Computer Animation Festival at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023.” He added, “My SIGGRAPH journey began in 1992 in Chicago; the Electronic Theater at that event left an indelible impression on me. Back then, the internet didn’t exist, which meant that SIGGRAPH was the hub for seeing the latest in computer graphics. At that time, I had a limited view of the field; however, attending SIGGRAPH introduced me to a world of diverse content… Witnessing the exceptional global talent showcased this year is incredibly rewarding.”
Attendee, Philippe Huibonhoa, 24, University of Technology Sydney
Philippe Huibonhoa delighted in the fact that he could participate in most aspects of the conference. He observed that, “We, through the innovation and technology, like we as humankind, are getting closer, especially with the advances in AI. We’re finding ways to connect in ways that we couldn’t, couldn’t never have dreamed of, [which he saw] especially in the Art Gallery.”
Maria Zelenskaya, Griffith University
From the many papers submitted, and from those chosen to exhibit, there were multiple groundbreaking technology advancements that were acclaimed at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023. The people’s choice Best Demo Award at the Emerging Technologies Awards went to a team from the University of Queensland that worked on a project to create a smart home assistant that uses gesture controls to provide Auslan (Australian Sign Language) responses for Deaf users. She said that it is quite fulfilling to enhance Deaf accessibility and that she was inspired to continue. She said her SIGGRAPH journey started as a student, and continues now as a PhD and that their work showcases avatars’ potential for the Deaf community. ”I think it’s really great to show how they can be used for something really powerful and inspiring.”
Access Keynote Speakers, Conference Chair and Program Chairs Bios and high-resolution profile images HERE.
Download SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 press kit and high-resolutions images HERE.
Complete SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Winners List, available HERE.
FURTHER PROGRAM SUMMARIES
A true highlight of the SIGGRAPH Asia conferences, Real–Time Live! offers an exhilarating and one-of-a-kind experience in which audiences are treated to a live spectacle and competition, one in which the finest minds in real-time graphics and interactive techniques bring their creations to life. Sally Coleman, currently pursuing a practice-based PhD with UTS Creativity & Cognition Studios, clinched victory for both Best in Show and People’s Choice awards. Her innovative music project, Big Sand, a lively animated sci-fi virtual band crafted with Unreal Engine and brought to life through motion capture technology, stole the spotlight. Notably, the entire Real-Time Live! was live streamed on Twitch for the first time, extending its reach to a global audience.
Birds of a Feather (BOF) sessions provoked lively discussions among those who shared interests, goals, technologies, arts and/or backgrounds, inspiring new opportunities for collaboration.
The Doctoral Consortiumbrought PhD students to meet and discuss their work with each other and a panel of experienced SIGGRAPH Asia researchers in an informal and interactive setting.
At the Technical Communications program, international experts from academia and industry presented novel ideas, shared insights from production, and discussed innovative interdisciplinary applications in progress.
The Business & Innovation Symposiumsought to find an intersection between technology, creativity, and business, to power transformation: the key topic was Generative AI and connecting stories across business, technology, and community.
Demoscene thrilled with cutting-edge computer demonstrations, while a vintage technology museum delighted with a nostalgic treasure trove, featuring cherished relics like Game Boys, antiquated computers, classic arcade machines, and an array of other cherished artifacts.
The Experience Hall, featuringArtGallery, XR, and EmergingTechnologies, served as a captivating fusion of art and technology, unveiling uncharted worlds and cultures to visitors. The Emerging Technologies program took attendees on a mesmerizing journey where levitation and mid-air visualizations left them enthralled. At one station, the NTT Corporation introduced groundbreaking wearable technology designed to enhance the piano learning experience. In the XR space, visitors were beguiled by projects that spanned from 3D embodiment to AR garment customization, and immersive VR experiences that transported them to entirely new dimensions. Alongside the Art Gallery, Art Papers returned this year, for which there were a healthy number of submissions.
The Posters gallery encapsulated state-of-the-art proposals in computer graphics and interactive techniques, providing a comprehensive glimpse into the forefront of innovation.
ACM SIGGRAPH is an international community of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists, and business professionals with a shared interest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. A special interest group of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s first and largest computing society, our mission is to nurture, champion and connect like-minded researchers and practitioners to catalyze innovation in computer graphics and interactive techniques.
ACM SIGGRAPH offers two of the premier technology conferences in the world, one in North America and one in Asia. Attended by tens of thousands of computer graphics professionals, SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia are highly respected venues for the presentation of new computer graphics technology and research. For more information, please visit www.siggraph.org.
About Koelnmesse
Koelnmesse Pte Ltd is one of the world’s largest trade fair companies. Its more than 80 trade fairs and exhibitions have the broadest international scope in the industry, as 60 percent of the exhibitors and 40 percent of the visitors come from outside Germany. The Koelnmesse events include leading global trade fairs for 25 sectors, such as Imm Cologne, Anuga, IDS, INTERMOT, Interzum Cologne, Photokina, Gamescom, and the International Hardware Fair Cologne. Koelnmesse is ACM SIGGRAPH’s event organizer for the last 15 editions of SIGGRAPH Asia. For more information, please visit www.koelnmesse.com.sg.
JAKARTA, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – During his visit to Japan, Indonesian President Joko Widodo obtained support in several sectors, including energy, transportation, and the economy. The Indonesian President visited Tokyo to attend the Japan-ASEAN Summit on Saturday (Dec 16) and the AZEC Summit on Monday (Dec 18).
During Monday’s inaugural AZEC Summit (Asia Zero Emission Community), Indonesia obtained at least 24 energy transition projects. “The summit’s deliverables include 69 cooperation agreements on energy transition, 24 of which are projects that will be worked on together by Indonesia and Japan,” Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said.
The 24 projects involve various parties, including state-run electricity company PT PLN, state-run fertilizer enterprise Pupuk Indonesia, the National Capital Authority (OIKN), and PPT Energy Trading Co. Ltd., and cover aspects such as capacity-building for energy transition, ‘waste-to-energy,’ decarbonization, and the development of electric transmission, geothermal, and green ammonia.
The AZEC, co-initiated by Indonesia and Japan, is a platform for countries to cooperate in achieving net-zero emissions in Asia and its surrounding areas. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are community members.
Indonesia considers it essential to support cooperation in decarbonization through inclusive financing and the transfer of low-carbon technology. Indonesia hoped Japan would support its downstream mineral industry and emerge as a crucial player in the global supply chain of electric vehicle batteries.
During the bilateral meeting between President Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday (Dec 16), the leaders discussed the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, hoping that construction of the north-south corridor continues as planned with a commitment from Japan for the East-West Corridor, with groundbreaking set for August 2024.
The two leaders witnessed an MoU signing on cooperation worth 10 billion yen (equal to Rp1 trillion) between Harapan Kita Hospital and Tokushukai Medical Corporation to improve cardiovascular services in the Asian region.
Widodo and Kishida also received proposal documents issued during the ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders’ Summit and the ASEAN-Japan Gen-Z Business Leaders’ Summit, and they witnessed the exchange of documents on the grant of a patrol ship worth US$ 63.3 million from the Japanese government to the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla).
Besides the economic sector, Indonesia discussed the current situation in Palestine with Japan. Widodo reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to pushing for a lasting ceasefire, planning continuous humanitarian aid, and encouraging the immediate commencement of a peace process to end the prolonged conflict.
JAKARTA, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Indonesian palm oil industry, a crucial player in the national economy, grapples with international controversies tied to social, environmental, and land tenurial issues. The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) scheme, initiated in 2011, seeks to establish sustainability standards. This article explores challenges faced by ISPO and envisions two scenarios for its future impact.
Navigating the future of ISPO involves strategic promotion, addressing farming challenges, and streamlining bureaucracy. [Image: ANTARA FOTO]
Challenges and Mandatory Extension
ISPO, initially mandatory for palm oil companies, faces hurdles in its broader adoption. A 2020 regulation extended ISPO certification to all growers, including smallholders, by 2025. Challenges include increased farming costs, especially for smallholders, and barriers like forest land use and agricultural licenses.
Scenario 1: Government Mandate with Price Regulations
In this scenario, the government mandates ISPO as the sole standard for palm oil, compensating for implementation costs through regulations on fresh fruit bunch (FFB) selling prices. While it aims to position palm oil as a premium, sustainable product, challenges like global recognition, buyer interest, and non-ISPO product responses persist. Potential consequences include an emerging illegal market, lower prices for smallholders, and a decline in palm oil market share.
Scenario 2: Voluntary ISPO Program with Incentives
Scenario 2 envisions ISPO as an optional, voluntary program, with the government offering incentives through higher selling prices for labeled products. This approach caters to different buyer preferences, creating two distinct cost structures for ISPO and non-ISPO products. Challenges akin to Scenario 1 persist, impacting the sustainability of this profit-optimizing strategy over time.
Recommendations:
Extensive ISPO Promotion: Prioritize promoting ISPO extensively to enhance market acceptance and increase membership.
Agricultural Practices Improvement: Urgently address the need for improved agricultural practices, especially for smallholders, through comprehensive government intervention covering farming assistance, premium inputs, and conflict resolution.
Bureaucratic Simplification: Streamline agricultural governance by simplifying redundant procedures between ISPO and other requirements, saving time and budget for the industry.
Navigating the future of ISPO involves strategic promotion, addressing farming challenges, and streamlining bureaucracy. The scenarios presented highlight potential market shifts and underscore the importance of proactive measures for the sustainable development of the palm oil industry.
By Fajril Amirul, Senior Officer Indonesian Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management (BPDPKS) https://www.bpdp.or.id/en/ Copyright (c) Antara 2023.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and MUMBAI, India, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) –CleverTap, the all-in-one engagement platform today announced that mobile gaming platform, WinZO, has achieved 40% growth in retention rate following the CleverTap rollout.
Founded in 2018, WinZO is today at the forefront of India’s mobile gaming revolution; the company has over 175 million users, making it the country’s largest mobile social gaming platform. WinZO hosts 100+ games across multiple formats in more than a dozen regional languages.
WinZO is dedicated to providing product value and fostering user retention. The challenge was to quickly analyze data to enhance user retention. CleverTap’s integrated partnership with WinZO’s technology stack, helped nurture more robust customer relationships, bolster user engagement, and increase retention rates. Today, WinZO has 5 billion micro in-app transactions every month, and delivers highly personalized experiences to gamers.
“In the current highly competitive environment, where users have an abundance of options with numerous apps and brands competing for their attention, our goal is to craft experiences that are highly responsive and based on real-time interactions,” said Angad Sehdev, Strategy and Growth, WinZO. He further added, “CleverTap doesn’t just provide data; it equips us with the insights, segmentation, and tools needed to execute swiftly. In this kind of an ecosystem, if you’re not acting on the data in real time, you lose your user base. You need to understand what the user wants before the user has even expressed the need.”
CleverTap offers comprehensive tracking and analytics, enabling WinZO to gain insights into customer interactions with its products. This real-time feedback on new app updates aids in refining rollout strategies.
Sidharth Pisharoti, Chief Revenue Officer, CleverTap said, “Customer retention has always been at the heart of everything we do at CleverTap, and we’re thrilled to have helped WinZO increase their retention rates by 40%. It’s been an immense pleasure working with WinZO over the last 5 years. Today, they are one of India’s largest mobile gaming platforms. This is a result of their deep understanding of customer behavior and the team’s ability to deliver on those expectations. As WinZO embarks on an ambitious journey to expand its user base to 700 million and introduce new gaming formats, CleverTap remains a steadfast partner in this tech-driven gaming revolution.”
About CleverTap
CleverTap is the all-in-one engagement platform that helps brands unlock limitless customer lifetime value by helping them create personalized experiences to retain their most valuable customers. The platform empowers businesses to orchestrate experiences for individuals across their lifecycles and design personalized journeys that span a lifetime. It offers analytics that encompasses every aspect of the lifecycle, enabling businesses to measure and optimize each experience in real time. Its unique AI capability is insightful, empathetic, and prescriptive, facilitating smarter and faster decisions. The all-in-one platform unifies experiences from every touchpoint, paving the way for a new era of customer engagement.
The platform is powered by TesseractDB™ – the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering both speed and economies of scale.
CleverTap is trusted by 2000 customers, including Electronic Arts, TiltingPoint, Gamebasics, Big Fish, MobilityWare, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco.
Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, CDPQ, and 360 One, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with presence in San Francisco, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Singapore, and Jakarta.
WinZO is the largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform in India with over 175million users from T2-T5 Bharat. Launched in early 2018, the company partners with third-party developers to host games on its Android app, offering users personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 12 native languages. WinZO’s platform facilitates over 5 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games, contributing to 1 in 250 UPI transactions of India happening on WinZO’s platform. The company is dedicated to building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in India. WinZO envisions a future where its platform can deliver culturally relevant and enjoyable experiences to the global audiences, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.
WinZO, a series-C funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming partners, Courtside ventures, Maker’s fund, all of whom made their first investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap’s belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release.
Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction.
For more information: SONY SHETTY Director, Public Relations, CleverTap +91 9820900036 sony@clevertap.com
BANGKOK, THAILAND, Dec 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – On 7 December 2023, PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), successfully hosted its annual PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) followed by the ARES VIP Cocktail Party in Bangkok, Thailand, presenting the ARES Power Women for a second year.
The invitation-only party, which was sponsored by PropertyGuru For Business, was a highlight of the PropertyGuru Week and celebrated the outstanding achievements of six exceptional women leaders in the real estate sector, acknowledging their significant contributions and influence as leaders in the industry.
Hari V. Krishnan, CEO and Managing Director of PropertyGuru Group, opened the evening with a special message reflecting on the journey of PropertyGuru since its inception in 2007, emphasising the company’s commitment to gender diversity and equality.
This commitment was further highlighted in the establishment of the ARES Power Women initiative in 2022, designed to spotlight the vital contributions of women in the Asian real estate landscape.
A symbolic gesture of solidarity and support
After Hari’s message, the evening’s highlight occurred during an unscripted yet powerful moment when ARES presenter, Tina Ryan, embraced comfort over convention by removing her high heels on stage. The next speaker, Shyn Yee Ho, Managing Director for Data and Software Solutions at PropertyGuru Group, also joined in on the fun by taking off her heels as she delivered her message to recognise the women who raise the roof.
Shyn continued Hari’s message, further elaborating on the motivations behind establishing the ARES Power Women honours, sharing her personal experiences in male-dominated industries and highlighted the need for more diverse representation and inclusive decision-making in real estate. The goal of the ARES Power Women list is not just to recognise the achievements of women leaders, but also to inspire future generations and promote a fairer and more equitable future.
In a remarkable display of solidarity, all the women on stage removed their heels as each honouree was announced one by one, ascending the stage barefoot to accept the honour. This impromptu gesture became a strong declaration of mutual support among these influential women, resonating deeply with the audience.
The ARES Power Women 2023
This year’s honourees, hailing from Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and the UK, were announced by Shyn together with Disha Goenka, PropertyGuru’s Chief Marketing Officer, with each woman receiving a token from PropertyGuru For Business.
“Live”
Andrea Savage, Celebrity interior designer, HGTV / Co-CEO and Creative Director, A Life By Design Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited / Chair, Corporate Advisory Board, World Green Building Council
“Work”
Chelsea Perino, Global Director, The Executive Centre, Future of Work Joanne Kua, Group CEO, KSK Group
“Thrive”
Coco Ke Liu, Chief Regional Officer, HLB International Hang Dang, Managing Director, CBRE Vietnam
These influential women on the list embody PropertyGuru’s vision to power communities to live, work and thrive in tomorrow’s cities. Throughout their careers, the ARES Power Women have lived by the above themes, with Andrea leading and living a life by design; Esther pushing forth a more sustainable and greener future; Chelsea pioneering the future of work; Joanne paving the way for women-led businesses; Coco supporting emerging markets to thrive; and Hang setting a standard for female leaders in real estate.
Towards a fairer future
The exclusive event concluded with a strong message of responsibility towards building a fairer and more inclusive future. The commitment of PropertyGuru Group and its community in tackling the challenges of gender equality and diversity in the real estate industry marked a significant step towards change.
The second annual ARES Power Women not only celebrated achievements, but also sparked a conversation about the critical role of women in shaping the future of real estate.
Organised by PropertyGuru Group, the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit 2023 is supported by official portal partner PropertyGuru; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; official publicity partner Artemis Associates; media partners Bridges, d+a Magazine, Hot Magazine, Manila Bulletin, Powderlife, REm, and Techsauce; and supporting association IFC – Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies.
ARES VIP Cocktail Party was supported by Dao Ethical Gifts (Women Empowerment Project) and Fah Mai Holdings.
PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) is the premier gathering of the industry’s finest minds, top-level business leaders and decision-makers. Designed to ‘educate, innovate and inspire,’ ARES focuses on advancements in property technology, green building, sustainability, diversity, inclusivity, and innovation. More than 500 registered in-person and virtual delegates, comprising real estate and proptech experts, climate heroes, sustainability champions, trendsetters, and tech startup executives from around the region and beyond participate to refresh thinking, exchange ideas and connect with peers at ARES, which features global keynotes, case studies, panel discussions, partner booths and networking lunch.
ARES is part of the exciting ‘PropertyGuru Week’ in December 2023, coinciding with the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final gala and presentation ceremony, which is joined by the region’s finest real estate developers and leaders, and watched by investors, agents, and consumers via livestream.
PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia’s leading(1) PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 37 million property seekers(2) to connect with almost 59,000 agents monthly(3) to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.9 million real estate listings(4), in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then, PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 15 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its core markets; mortgage marketplace, PropertyGuru Finance; home services platform, Sendhelper; a host of proprietary enterprise solutions under PropertyGuru For Business including DataSense, ValueNet, Awards, events and publications across Asia.
![Navigating the future of ISPO involves strategic promotion, addressing farming challenges, and streamlining bureaucracy. The scenarios presented highlight potential market shifts and underscore the importance of proactive measures for the sustainable development of the palm oil industry. [Image: ANTARA FOTO]](https://photos.acnnewswire.com/20231220.Antara.jpg)
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