SK Networks Logo

- Joint project to implement LabSD’s digital optometry technology in MINTIT’s used phones
- ESG synergy between the two, providing eyecare solutions to low-income countries around the globe.
  … Collaboration to expand across entire ICT devices from the second-hand phone-based optometer project
- “The two companies will collaborate to address challenges facing eye health infrastructure and step-up recycling of used phones”

Used phones verified by ICT recycler MINTIT are revamped into optometers to help the global population living on the brink of sight loss.

MINTIT (CEO: Seong-moon Ha) announced on the 14th that the company signed an MOU on a partnership program for digital optometer distribution and eye health solution promotion with LabSD (CEO: Yoon-seung Kim) at its head office in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The two companies vow to improve eye health conditions primarily in low-income countries and build a resource-circulation ecosystem by agreeing on the second-hand phone-based digital optometer partnership project.

MINTIT will offer second-hand phones verified to be compatible with the optometer project among those recovered through its AI-based used phone purchasing platform MINTIT ATM and incorporate LabSD’s digital optometry solution in those smartphones to upcycle the salvaged ICT resources.

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), approximately 90% of the global population on the brink of sight loss live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), and 75% of them can be saved from going blind if appropriately prevented and treated at the right time. However, access to basic healthcare services is severely compromised in those countries due to lack of healthcare professionals and infrastructure.

LabSD is a social venture developing and offering eye health solutions to global health crisis sites. Under the vision of Putting an End to A_able Blindness, the social venture participated In the Galaxy Upcycling resource circulation program and developed the EYELIKE Platform consisting of a smartphone-integrated digital optometer, AI-enabled diagnosis assist system, and eye health information system. The Galaxy Upcycling program provided over 400 units to five low-income countries in Southeast Asia, whereas LabSD aims to implement one platform per 50,000 persons by 2030.

MINTIT and LabSD agree to employ the eco-friendly partnership forged to build momentum for distributing more of used phone-based digital optometers and studying a wider range of ICT devices as potential candidate platforms for the joint next-generation optometer development project in a bid to further boost up the value and significance of ICT upcycling programs.

CEO Yoon-seung Kim at LabSD said, “We took notice of second-hand smartphones as a platform for providing all people in the world with access to universal and comprehensive eye care services,” and defined the significance of the MOU by adding, “Collaboration with MINTIT will facilitate the availability of decent quality second-hand phones which is a mission-critical elements of the EYELIKE Platform.”

In response, CEO Seong-moon Ha at MINTIT said, “Used phones that are still operational in terms of functionality but are utilized only to salvage reusable parts or resources due to external imperfections or damages will be upcycled into eye care devices to lay the groundwork for a new resource-circulation ecosystem.”

MINTIT also plans to launch a variety of marketing initiatives taking into consideration market dynamics and future developments, considering a second-hand phone trading event in support of the digital optometer project.

[Photo caption 1] MINTIT signs an MOU with LabSD on a ‘partnership program for digital optometer distribution and eye health solution promotion.’ CEO Seong-moon Ha at MINTIT (left) poses with CEO Yoon-seung Kim at LabSD (right) for a commemorative photo.

[Photo caption 2] Delegations of the two companies pose after signing on the partnership MOU.