The following is part of a series exploring unique museums, collections and the passionate collectors behind them. ― Ed.


The monstrous leaps that technology has taken and continues to take today have an immeasurable impact on daily life. These advancements in technology and telecommunications are what open up the doors to a future of endless possibilities, inventions and seamless productivity.

Like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie, the SK Telecom Ubiquitous Museum (T.um) is a visual splendor showcasing the many yet-to-be mass marketed technologies of tomorrow. Within the next decade, people will be able to control some of life’s most routine decisions and tasks right in the palm of one’s hand. T.um is a truly unique museum that allows visitors to utilize and interact with some of the world’s state-of-the-art technologies. 

U.Home

Living rooms of the future will be controlled with a wave of an arm, whether it is checking the weather or email, reading the news, or even making a phone call. The U.Home section of T.um is an interactive display of the capabilities of the new generation of smart homes. Everything one would come to hope for in an entertainment and practical information system is simply projected onto the walls of one’s home and equipped with motion control using the latest in infrared technology.

“It takes a lot of time and money to change the wallpaper in your house these days, but in the future, with this technology it can be done simply,” said Choi Boo-gyung, manager of T.um, as she waved her hand and made a picture of a city skyline appear on the wall, including a nighttime fireworks display.

Even the tables of the future will be equipped with the latest in computer and communications technology. Envision a giant iPad as a coffee table that can play music and video, and store, send and even print photos. And if this isn’t enough, with a simple flick of one’s finger, the videos and photos on the table can be pushed to display on the wall.

U.Driving

U.Driving allows visitors can take a virtual spin in an actual car that is meant to simulate what driving will be like in the years to come with a vehicle that drives itself.

“You won’t need to drive yourself because automatic driving systems will be available in the future,” said Choi.

The door locks and interior temperature are all controlled by one’s smartphone, and as soon as the driver gets in, the car scans and measures one’s body condition from heart rate and blood pressure to body temperature.
 

Similar to a video arcade game, the U.Driving simulation has a large video screen of a futuristic Seoul where gas stations are obsolete and replaced by electric recharging stations. One can even purchase and sell electric energy from cars driving next to it simply by sending an electronic request to another car.

Equipped with voice automation, the car narrates to the driver all the personalized features that are available while riding. On a small screen located in the car, optimal destination routes and nearby restaurant recommendations appear along with shopping options. There are even movie downloads available that can be played on a screen projection that appears on the windshield of the car to be enjoyed while the car navigates the roads on its own.

U.Shopping/U.Fashion

In the future, there will be no wasting time trying on different outfits while shopping. Rather you can dress up your personal avatar with ready-to-purchase outfits.

“When you go to the mall these days you have to go into fitting rooms, but here you can just use our fitting screens,” Choi said.

By stepping into a very modern looking clear tube, visitors can have their bodies and faces scanned to produce a life size 3-D avatar of themselves in less than a minute.

“We use millimeter-waves that go through our outfits and reflect thousands of water points on our skin to measure our body index,” she said.

Once an avatar has been created, one’s body measurements are immediately stored and clothing stores and recommended outfits are sent directly to one’s smartphone along with all purchasing information. Shoppers can then view these outfits on their avatar and swiftly change views and outfits with the touch of a button.

What may seem like a world of surreal imagination may in fact become a reality sooner that one may think. Because these technological developments and capabilities are already possible and in existence, it is only a matter of marketing and time before these options become readily available.

“I think people will be able to see all the future concepts within five to 10 years,” said Choi.

■ SK Telecom Ubiquitous Museum

(02) 6100-0601

● Location: SK T-Tower, 11 Euljiro2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

● Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Closed last Friday of every month)

● Admission: Free. Reservations are required and must be made at least one day in advance.

For more information, visit tum.sktelecom.com

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)