Indispensable in human life: Technology
This article is a memoir of an individual’s life, which is unique in that it is centered on the advancements made in technology. From birth to death, the incredible story of how ASIA startup utilized technology to facilitate personal growth and development throughout the entire lifespan will be told. Startups have always been a driving force in improving people’s lives by connecting them to technology and helping them grow.
Fetus: Predict me!
Humans start benefiting from technology from the moment of conception. Initially, AI can help select the healthiest embryos to increase the chances of conception. South Korea startup ‘Kaihealth’ has developed this solution. After eight weeks, the embryo takes on the shape of a human body and becomes a fetus. Parents are curious about what their baby looks like and how it moves. Thanks to technology, we can now find answers to these questions. South Korea’s ‘Alethio’ offers a service that allows parents to preview their baby’s face after AI analyzes the features that make up the baby’s facial hair using deep learning from a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus. A Korea-based startup ‘Girjae Soft’ fuses ultrasound images with VR to create a three-dimensional image of the fetal face and body, allowing parents to freely speculate on their baby’s appearance. The fetus is swimming in the mother’s womb, ready to come out into the world.
Baby: Don’t worry about being new
After spending 10 months in the womb, infants start their journey in the world. Babies aged between birth and one year are called infants. Newborns communicate their needs through crying and ragged breathing when they feel cold, hot, hungry, or uncomfortable, such as during bowel movements, since they can’t speak yet. A South Korea company called ‘Emma Healthcare’ has developed a smart bed equipped with multimodal AI and IoT that can analyze the baby’s vital signs, collect environmental sensors, and send instant notifications to parents, helping babies to feel more comfortable. Additionally, ‘Monit’, a South Korea startup, has created a smart diaper sensor that can quickly identify the baby’s feces to prevent disease infection and change diapers. Being a first-time parent can be overwhelming, but technology is becoming more user-friendly for beginners.
Children: Development occurs
Babies grow into children, and as they do, they learn to crawl, walk, talk, run, jump, and identify objects around them. Above all, they learn to communicate with people, make friends, and engage in social activities. Therefore, mental and physical development is crucial during this period. Startups that focus on children’s development are emerging, such as the Japan startup ‘Mochi Robotics’, which created an interactive AI-powered robot toy for kids. This robot, which incorporates VR technology, reacts to a child’s behavior and can help strengthen emotional intelligence in addition to physical interaction. During childhood, children may experience inattention or become easily distracted. A Korea startup called ‘Emotiv’ has developed a digital therapy that can detect ADHD or autism by analyzing a child’s cognitive function through playing games with cognitive modeling. We are in a future where technology can detect even minor psychological problems in children that parents may not notice.
Youth: Learning can be enjoyable
During a period called puberty, a child evolves into an adolescent and starts acquiring the knowledge needed to navigate the world. They attend classes, improve their thinking abilities, and take tests to evaluate their learning. Edtech startups are helping them unleash their imagination by utilizing new technologies. For instance, ‘Taghive’ has introduced smart quizzes through Bluetooth clickers to make classrooms more engaging and fun. This approach has been successful in public education in India and South Korea. However, in the near future, physical classrooms may not even be necessary, and young people will be able to access quality education anytime, anywhere. South Korea edtech startup ‘Pagecall’ is transforming classrooms digitally using its SaaS. Its online whiteboard feature allows students to take notes on their tablet PCs simultaneously and participate in real-time, contactless classes. (So, for whoever is considering digital education, a partnership with Pagecall could benefit every institute.) This approach expands the joy of learning beyond the constraints of time and space.
Adulthood: Grow your own harvest
As humans, we undergo physical growth from infancy to adulthood. Once we reach a certain level of physical growth, it’s time to grow financially. Adulthood means that we’ve left our parents’ arms and become an economic entity, whether as an employee, entrepreneur or by earning money in some other way. In order to build a solid foundation for our lives, enjoy delicious food and travel to great places, or grow our wealth, we use a variety of fintech services. For example, in South Korea, the ‘Quantit’ service provides a robo-advisor powered by AI’s own algorithm. This advisor becomes your avatar and automatically makes stock investments to earn you money. Additionally, there are ways to monetize cryptocurrency in the mobile world. ‘Affyn’, a Singaporean startup, utilizes blockchain technology to allow users to harvest NFT resources through a Play to Earn game in a metaverse environment. If you want to enjoy the benefits of harvesting, borrowing the power of technology may be the fastest way to do it.
Active Senior: Unite, not scatter
As you grow older, you may still want to lead a dynamic and active lifestyle even as you approach retirement age. This is what is referred to as ‘active seniors’ – those who are interested in physical activity and social engagement. With advancements in medical technology and an increasing aging population, seniors are increasingly preoccupied with their health, wellness, and personal development. In Asia, several startups have emerged to address this need. For example, India’s ‘SilverTalkies’ is a community open to seniors aged 55 and over from all over the world. Members of all ages, nationalities, and statuses can participate in random chats and online classes. Similarly, ‘SilverFit’ in India provides customized fitness programs, wellness workshops, and recreational activities to promote physical and mental health. For those seniors who want to continue working, Singapore’s ‘SixtyPlus’ connects them with full-time, part-time, consultant, or volunteer positions to help them achieve financial independence and empowerment. To stay active and engaged, active seniors need to stay connected, and technology-enabled social platforms can help them do just that.
Elderly: Bravo, My Life!
As we age, our bodies go through various physical changes that can lead to mobility issues and disease. This is particularly true for seniors over the age of 65 who often experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities. However, there are several healthcare startups that are working to improve the quality of life for seniors by offering specialized services and advanced technologies. One such technology is ‘Innophys’‘ muscle suit, which uses air pressure to lift heavy objects and assist seniors with limited mobility. The suit features a backpack of artificial muscles that can easily bend and extend the wearer’s back, making it an ideal tool for both seniors and caregivers. Additionally, ‘N.CER’, a South Korea startup has developed a diagnostic tool that can detect Alzheimer’s disease in as little as 5 minutes. The tool uses a simple olfactory stimulus to measure blood flow data reflected back from the frontal lobe of a patient’s brain. Finally, ‘Mind Palace’, a senior care service in Singapore, is using virtual reality to help seniors revisit their old neighborhoods and reminisce about their past. This not only helps to improve cognitive performance but has also been known to treat depression. Overall, these healthcare startups are making it possible for seniors to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives.
The human life cycle usually ends at this stage. At the end of a beautiful life, the old man will exclaim: “Bravo, your life!”
