A portable interactive screen developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman will soon hit the Philippine market as a spinoff company enters its final phase for technological commercialization.  Dubbed Smart Surface Technology and developed by Dr. Nestor Tiglao and his team from the University of the Philippines Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (UP-EEEI) has created a spinoff company named Adapsense Inc. which will now take on the commercialization of the technology.  This is a locally-made system converts virtually any flat surface into an interactive interface, for applications in education, food service, advertising, and consumer electronics. Smart Surface offers unique features such as multi touch and wireless connectivity that can compete with the already existing products in the market. The system is portable, easy to install, and affordable, with speedy after-sales support in cases of replacement, repair services, or technical help. Its content can be customized according to the client’s preference.

Through the FASTRAC program or Funding Assistance for Spin-Off and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization Program of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the team is establishing a spin-off company to improve their system and offer an end-to-end solution to clients. The funding covers the improvement of the prototype, tests the prototype, secure product certification, and market the technology to potential clients. The output includes a technology licensing agreement and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registration for the spinoff company. Prior to the FASTRAC funding, the technology was funded by the Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) Program of DOST which covered the development of an industrial grade prototype, conduct of the pilot testing and market validation of the technology.

With the increase in the number of events and marketing activities in the country like trade shows, bridal fairs, baby fairs, book fairs, car shows and other types of expositions, the Smart Surface technology of Adapsense Inc., will address the challenges in providing meaningful data to those activities/events. Currently, event organizers find it difficult and costly to bring different kinds of exhibit materials like tarpaulins, posters, television, LCD screens in the venue. Data gathering and analytics on exposition effectiveness and results which can be useful to evaluate consumer and market impact are also not available. The features of the Smart Surface technology, such as portability, data analytics, robust and customizable content, are designed to bridge those gaps.

Currently, the team is already processing the requirements for the SEC registration for Adapsense Inc. and has completed the design of the Smart Surface V2. A software application is in the works which can be partnered with the Smart Surface system, enabling users to design interactive content such as quizzes and customer survey. They have also met with and demonstrated the technology to potential clients. The team also won a gold medal award with jury distinction during the 46^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions) on April 11-15, 2018.

(Top) CharM EV Chargers; (bottom) CharM charging station in Cauayan City, Isabela

With the increasing number of e-vehicles used as both private and public transportation, the researchers from Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP EEEI) headed by Dr. Lew Andrew Tria,Engr. Leo Allen Tayo, and Engr. Rovinna Janel Cruzate have developed “CharM”, a fast charging system for electric vehicles. The technology provides an alternative solution for conventional charging that takes up to 4-6 hours to get a battery fully charged.  With CharM, fully charging an e-vehicle battery can be done in 30 minutes. CharM comes with an in-vehicle electronic management unit that performs battery protection, monitoring, and vehicle-charger communications.

Through the Funding Assistance for Spinoff and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) program of the Department of Science and Technology -Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the project team was able to conduct validation for e-vehicle charging system and set-up a CharM charging station in Cauayan, Isabela. More clients were obtained by direct communications with e-vehicle manufacturers and operators.

Travelling long distances using e-vehicle requires charging stations that are placed on strategic locations. Thus far, there are only a few number of electric charging stations. The fear of being stuck if an e-vehicle ran out of battery has been a concern of every e-vehicle user. Also, the tedious process of charging an e-vehicle is a major problem especially for those who use it as public transportation. With CharM, e-vehicle drivers can maximize the usage of their e-vehicles as the technology will significantly lessen the charging time especially those operating as public mass transport vehicles. With the adoption of CharM by private firms, numerous e-vehicle charging stations can be established. CharM will help develop public acceptance of e-vehicles as it addresses the concerns that inhibit the growth of e-vehicles.  

CharM has already manufactured two types of chargers which are the Basic fast charger and Coin-operated AC Charger. The technology was also showcased during the Electric Vehicle Summit and National Science and Technology Week. CharM already applied for a license for Utility Model and Industrial Design. Apart from that, they have also applied for SEC registration under the name of CHRG EV Technologies Inc.

The FISH-I Technology, developed by Dr. Prospero C. Naval Jr. of UP Diliman’s Department of Computer Science and Dr. Laura T. David of UP Diliman’s Marine Science Institute, is a cost-effective and efficient method of performing fish census using a camera and fish video software. Similar to a fish census, it generates data on fish count, biomass, fish size, and population. Using a hardware-software tandem, it semi-automates the process, allowing for rapid reef fish assessment, saving on time and resources.

Through the Funding Assistance for Spin-Off and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization Program (FASTRAC Program) of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the team has improved their technology into a market ready product and has established their own spin-off company under the company name “Fish i, Inc.” The funding from the program covered the improvement of their prototype, testing of their prototype in the intended environment, data collection and market validation to potential clients. Included as the output of the project is a Technology Licensing Agreement and SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) registration for their spinoff company. The FISH-I Technology was also previously funded by DOST TAPI (Technology Application and Promotion Institute) under the TECHNICOM Program (Technology Innovation for Commercialization Program).

With over 1,600 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and a few fish experts in the country to conduct the fish census, the FISH-I Technology can allow Local Government Units (LGUs) to obtain fish diversity and population faster and easier. This will help empower local coastal communities to conduct the reef assessment themselves, making them more conscious of their marine resources. In addition, the data collected will provide guidance on the best time to fish and declare open and close season for reef fisheries.

Currently, the team has completed its SEC registration under the company name Fish i Inc. The team has also serviced more than 16 LGUs with their technology and are currently working on other clients who wish to avail of their services. The FISH-I Technology also won the National Grand Prize of the 2017 Alfredo M. Yao (AMY) Intellectual Property (IP) Awards – Professional Level, at the 43^rd Philippines Business Expo last October 18, 2017 at the Manila Hotel.

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), through the Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD), continues to strengthen efforts in commercializing technologies generated by researchers through funding assistance.

The FASTRAC or Funding Assistance for Spinoff and Translation of Research in Advancing Commercialization is a “researcher/technology-focus” program established to bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization of DOST PCIEERD-funded technologies and is designed to translate research outputs into market ready products or simulate a startup operation thru a spin-ˇoff project for a period of one year. The fund assistance aims to:

• Validate the problem, market, product and willingness to pay for the services/technologies from DOST-PCIEERD funded research
• Translate research outputs into products and/or services
• Provide support for researchers and/or their teams to spin-ˇoff or startup
• Connect researchers to business support groups in commercializing technologies

Through this program, five (5) DOST-PCIEERD-funded technologies are now establishing their spin-off companies. These are:

• CATCH-ALL (De La Salle University) – CATCH-ALL or Contactless Apprehension of Traffic Violators, is a Vision-Based Artificial Intelligence Analytics Software for Traffic and Transport Applications. Under the CATCH ALL system, all types of vehicles and violations will be detected via its smart camera video capture. The system will display the vehicle’s detection and tracking, profiling, plate localization and plate character recognition for more detailed traffic violation identification.

• CharM (UP-Diliman) - CharM or Charging in Minutes is a system for fast charging electric vehicles (EVs) that are using the Lithium-ion battery storage technology. CharM provides an alternative charging strategy that eliminates the need for several hours in order to fully charge an EV. The conventional 4-6 hours in slow charging is reduced to less than an hour or even a matter of minutes for smaller vehicles.

• USHER (Mapua University) - Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System (USHER) is a building structure health monitoring system composed of an accelerograph / sensor web portal system. The patent-pending technology can be installed in buildings of all types, allowing building managers to monitor the structural integrity of the building, and ensure economical and hassle-free compliance with Philippine government regulators. Unlike existing products. USHER has streamlined and tailored the system to the local market, making it remarkably lower in cost while still offering a complete solution to ensure business continuity

• FISH-I (UP-Diliman) – Fish-I is a fish census hardware-software technology that allows for rapid reef assessment. It utilizes an underwater camera that records along a transect of a fishing site then analyzes the footage into data that can easily be viewed and understood by users on a computer. The data gathering is done in minutes and covers a total distance of 50 meters. The system generates automated data for: Fish Count, Fish Population Density, Fish Identification, Fish Length, Fish Biomass

• Smart Surface (UP-Diliman) – An electronic sensor system that can convert virtually any flat surface into an interactive interface. Also, a system composed of a number of sensors and a central controller and more affordable and robust than Smart board. Smart Surface boasts for its distinct features that can compete with the already existing products in the market. Its content can be customized according to the client’s preference; it is portable; it can be installed in existing surfaces; and most importantly, it is low-cost with speedy after-sales support in cases of replacement, repair services, or technical help.