SINGAPORE: Researchers in the new media industry got an S$18 million funding boost from the government on Thursday.

Thirteen out of 85 proposals to blend real and virtual worlds, through the use of sensors and haptic devices, were selected by an international review panel to receive the funding from the Interactive Digital Media Research and Development Programme Office (IDMPO), hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA).

The initiative, now into its second year, is part of an overall S$500 million push by the government to develop the interactive and digital media as one of the economy's three key pillars.

Dr John Seely Brown, co-chairman of the international review panel, scholar and advisor to the Provost at University of Southern California, said: "I spend my life dealing with entrepreneurs in the Silicon Valley (who have) the fire in the belly, the willingness to be radical and think out-of-the-box... For the first time, I am beginning to get that sense here."

The 13 projects are expected to involve 120 local researchers and international collaborators from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

These projects, which focus on the research theme of Co-space, are also expected to deliver some 25 patents and 200 research papers.

One of last year's winners, who found a way to cut production costs for the popular but time-consuming Japanese anime by 40 per cent, is already winning new projects.

However, this year's programme wants to go beyond numbers. MDA is rallying schools, research institutions and start-ups in the digital media industry to maintain an innovative spirit.


- CNA/so