Urban development and business space solutions provider Ascendas-Singbridge Group (ASB) is set to launch a Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab in Singapore this year.
Supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore, the lab is said to be the first developer-led lab in Southeast Asia.
The goal is to support industry players and technology providers to innovate in four key areas: intelligent estates, smart mobility, digital wellness, and agritech.
ASB said the lab will provide a platform for industry players to share problem statements and collaborate with technology players to co-develop and trial new and innovative solutions for commercialization.
Hence, the lab is expected to roll out various programs such as call-for-proposals, pilot tests, workshops and boot camps as well as produce proof-of-concepts and prototypes for users of smart urban technologies.
“The Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab allows our SMEs to work on real life problem statements of developers, service providers and customers. In the process of developing and testing their solutions, they also build up their track records, which is a prerequisite when they export their solutions abroad,” added Eunice Koh, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Singapore.
Enterprise Singapore has been encouraging strategic partnerships between large and small firms and vowed to connect both local and overseas end-users and relevant technology solution providers, including SMEs and startups, to the lab.
It said it will also support the solutions providers in the deployment of their solutions overseas through its global network in over 35 locations and other assistance tools including financial assistance.
Jane Lim, Assistant Chief Executive, IMDA, said in a media statement that when the agency launched a grant call for collaboration for smart estates six months ago, they received positive input and feedback from developers and technology providers.
“The Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab is another firm step we are taking to accelerate the growth of a vibrant and innovation-driven smart estates sector. We hope that our companies participate in the lab, co-innovate and take advantage of the growth opportunities in a digital economy in Singapore and beyond,” she said.
Lim was referring IMDA’s technology call in November 2018 to help technology companies build their capabilities in the digital economy and accelerate Singapore’s journey in developing smart estates.
IMDA has partnered ASB and JTC to trial innovative urban solutions for smart estates and has set aside $14 million to help fund the trials at ASB’s Science Park 1 and 2 and JTC’s LaunchPad one-north, Fusionopolis One and LaunchPad Jurong Innovation District.
Manohar Khiatani, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of ASB, said the co-innovation lab will be strategically located within the Singapore Science Park so technology providers will also have easy access to relevant infrastructure and resource.
