Vbee – Conversational AI platform, HSPTek – Anti-static real-time monitoring wearable device, and Met EV -Affordable smart E2W with an AI-power battery swapping solution, have been named as the top three finalists of the 2024 Qualcomm® Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC), with awards of US$100,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively.
On August 23, 2024, the QVIC Finals took place as part of InnoEx, Southeast Asia’s leading forum and exhibition on innovation, held in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was organized by Vietnam’s dynamic business communities, including the Young Business People Association of Ho Chi Minh city (YBA), Business Startup Support Centre – Ho Chi Minh City (BSSC), Investment & Business Partners (IBP) under the direction of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
Participants in the competition joined Qualcomm Technologies’ global network, gaining industry exposure and opportunities at international trade shows while fostering collaborations with potential clients.
The Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC) is dedicated to nurturing Vietnam’s emerging tech ecosystem by identifying and supporting innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These companies are developing products in critical technology fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, IoT, robotics, drones, smart cities, wearables, and multimedia technologies. Leveraging Qualcomm Technologies’ advanced platforms and mobile technologies, the program empowers startups to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions. Through its patent filing incentives, QVIC startups have collectively submitted over 101 patent applications, underscoring their commitment to technological advancement and intellectual property protection.
Sudeepto Roy, vice president, Engineering, Qualcomm Incorporated, said: “The 2024 programme not only featured the highest number of applications in our programme’s history but also showcased a strong lineup of startups specialising in edge-AI technologies, which account for 70 per cent of our finalists. These companies are at the forefront of sectors such as biometric security, robotics, healthcare automation, wearable tech, smart mobility, AI-powered entertainment, retail analytics, multi-camera systems, conversational AI, and sustainable energy solutions. Their innovative contributions are propelling Việt Nam’s economic growth by creating new industries and job opportunities, ensuring Việt Nam’s prominent position on the global stage and its competitive edge in the international market.”
Vbee.ai Crowned Champion of This Year’s QVIC, a leading company in human-like conversational AI in Vietnam, has claimed the top prize at this year’s Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC). The company is transforming human-to-human interactions with cost-effective automation through virtual assistants. During its participation in QVIC, Vbee.ai transitioned its solution from a cloud-based platform to an edge AI and on-premises server model, leveraging Qualcomm’s Cloud AI100 platform. This upgrade provides customers with enhanced performance and greater deployment flexibility.
Second Place: HSPTek Revolutionizing Static Electricity Monitoring. HSPTek secured the second prize by developing an integrated hardware and software solution for real-time monitoring of static electricity in production lines. Built on Qualcomm’s Bluetooth and QCS5430 platform, the system replaces traditional static control methods like mats and wrist straps. It ensures real-time monitoring while enhancing worker comfort and maximizing production efficiency.
Third Place: MET EV Powering the Future of Sustainable Mobility, a tech startup focused on two-wheeler electric vehicles, earned the third prize with its comprehensive solution that includes IoT gateways, HMI (Human-Machine Interfaces), and battery-swapping stations. Dedicated to accelerating Vietnam’s shift toward sustainable transportation, MET EV empowers the younger generation to shape their future. Qualcomm’s platforms are seamlessly integrated into the solution, with Quectel EC21 (MDM9207) for IoT, QCM2290 for HMI, and QCS6490 for the intelligent battery-swapping stations.
The innovative solutions showcased in this year’s QVIC finals demonstrate high applicability and significant commercial potential, promising to drive technological progress in their respective industries.
Below are some snapshots from the event:
