NUS, Cisco pour $40m into tech research center in Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and global tech firm Cisco have invested S$54 million (US$39.9 million) to launch Corporate Laboratory, which aims to boost research in the country’s key tech areas.

Photo credit: National University of Singapore

Corporate Laboratory plans to deliver 17 new tech solutions and 12 improved products and services in areas such as AI, healthcare, supply chain, urban infrastructure, and cybersecurity. It will employ and train over 100 researchers, analysts, engineers, and students to work on 15 research projects.

Under the AI focus area for the lab, researchers will develop algorithms to enhance search, extract knowledge from operational data collected in workplace environments, and develop reusable data-driven conversational agents or chatbots.

The new venture will also help researchers equip hospitals with distributed and coordinated healthtech solutions to improve their operational and clinical efficiency by facilitating sensing, understanding, and interaction. Some potential applications include active intervention for patients in the emergency department and the monitoring of healthcare workers and human factors to improve performance.

“As we prepare for a post-pandemic future, one thing is clear – tech will be central to every aspect of businesses and governments, and their interaction with consumers and citizens,” said Naveen Menon, president for Cisco’s Southeast Asian operations.

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In the cybersecurity space, Corporate Laboratory will help conduct network-centric research and develop solutions for deployment in enterprises and industries. They will also create an experimental testbed to demonstrate cybersecurity solutions.

In a bid to develop transportation planning and traffic management for autonomous vehicles, the lab will create enhanced collection and processing strategies as well as network infrastructure and data-driven solutions.

Currency converted from Singapore dollar to US dollar: US$1 = S$1.35.