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.

Electronic products from the Philippines have a better chance of penetrating the international market as the Department of Science and Technology’s Electronics Product Development Center (DOST-EPDC), the Philippines’ premiere electronics testing center, gains its ISO 17025:2017 accreditation for electrical testing (EMC).

Awarded by the American Accreditation for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) - an independent, non-profit, internationally-recognized accreditation body in the United States for laboratory and laboratory-related accreditation services- the ISO 17025 positions the DOST-EPDC at par with electronics testing centers around the world as it recognized several testing methods of the center for its international compliance.

The accreditation recognizes the technical competence and the laboratory quality management system of the DOST-EPDC for electrical testing, (EMC).

DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit congratulated the DOST-EPDC for getting the ISO 17025:2017.

“The recognition that the A2LA awarded to DOST-EPDC is a testament to the continuous innovation that we have committed to the Filipino people.  We are optimistic that more electronics companies will be trooping to the DOST-EPDC to have their products tested or create new designs using our machines,” he said.

A2LA awarded the ISO 17025:2017 for commercial and automotive component tests for both radiated and conducted emissions tests of DOST-EPDC for the following products: Internet of Things (IoT) equipment, Information Technology Equipment, Multimedia Equipment, Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, 3D Printers, Medical equipment and On-board Automotive devices (ie: camera, sensor, ECU, etc.).

During the last day of the Global Compliance Consulting (GCC) Technical Training conducted by Mr. Thomas Dickten (third from the left) attended by (left to right) Lemuel Borgonia, Victor Gruet, Hilary de Leon, Julius Solomon, Janel Sito, Jhonatan Tapay, and Darwin Bernabe Mendez in preparation for the accreditation.

DOST created EPDC in response to an industry need for facilities to improve product design, development, test, and to spur even more electronics manufacturing in the country, a call championed by the Electronic Industries Association of the Philippines (EIAPI).  With  DOST-EPDC, companies can have their product tests done in the country instead of sending them abroad.  Inaugurated in 2017, DOST- Advanced Science and Technology Institute manages EPDC in partnership with EIAPI.

Through the DOST-EPDC, small, medium, and large enterprises can have easy  access to testing facilities for their electronics products and even help them create their own through the various innovation programs of the facility.