Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

What happens when you have a group of engineers with backgrounds in 3D data processing in an online class studying computer vision?  Well – they form a company that develops software systems for self-driving cars! And that’s the story behind our guest for today Seoul Robotics.  Founded in 2017, Seoul Robotics develops software systems for self-driving cars to determine traffic conditions.  Its systems rely on data from Light Detection and Ranging or LiDAR sensors rather than a combination of camera sensors, which was unheard of at that point in time.  The firm is also pioneering a new approach to automating vehicles called ‘Autonomy Through Infrastructure’, where autonomous driving systems are placed on infrastructure rather than cars.  This can lower the costs of building autonomous transportation networks, as vehicles do not need to be fitted with cameras and sensors individually. It can also make autonomous transportation safer because autonomous driving systems placed on infrastructure can have a better vantage point and eliminate blind spots. But how revolutionary is this concept and how much money can this bring to the firm? Meanwhile, Seoul Robotics is currently working with partners including Qualcomm, and Nvidia, as well as major automakers such as BMW, Mercedes and Volvo. It has also closed a US$25 million Series B funding round led by KB Investment Company back in March. But what value do these strategic partners bring to the table? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with HanBin Lee, Captain and CEO, Seoul Robotics  for more.

The Gem Museum is a private museum of gemstones set up by a husband-and-wife duo, with 700 specimens on display. It helps to create an understanding about gemstones, what the value is, how to differentiate between different ones, and simply helping to develop an appreciation for and interest in gemstones amongst the public as well. We speak to Tay Kun Ming and Loke Hui Ying, Co-Founders and Directors, The Gem Museum more about this.

A brave new world awaits, with Ange Postecoglou gearing up for his first season in the hot seat of Tottenham. What will the much-heralded Australian bring to Spurs, and how will he cope with the possible departure of talisman Harry Kane? Speaking ahead of the Festival of Football in Singapore, Postecoglou tells Deepanraj Ganesan about all of this and much more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares opened muted today after stock markets in the United States and Europe closed mostly higher with the earnings season now in full swing.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index edged up 0.07 point to 3,265.21 points after 81.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Keppel DC Reit. Its distribution per unit for the first half of the financial year ended Jun 30 inched up 0.04 per cent from the same period a year ago. Elsewhere from China’s top leaders vowing more support for the struggling economy to Hong Kong’s Exchanges and Clearing being on the charm offensive to attract companies to list in the city, and to Europe’s economic outlook, more international headlines are in focus.  On Market View, the Drive Time team dived into the details with David Poh, Head of Investment and ESG Strategies, South Asia, Amundi.

There is a strong positive correlation between employee's mental health and workplace productivity. Factors such as inflation have had a significant impact on mental health as well due to the financial pressures they create. Employers must put in place policies and practices to assist employees in this aspect that go beyond simply giving them money in hopes that it will alleviate these financial pressures. We speak to Jamie MacLennan, Senior Vice President and Managing Director APAC, TELUS Health more about this.

From US presidential climate envoy John Kerry's visit to Beijing to China resuming its 15-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans after more than 3 years. We discuss the top headlines out of China with Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

From producing abalones to distributing FMCG products and to offering consultation services, our guest for today Oceanus has its wings spread across business pillars such as food production, innovation and distribution.  The aim here is to leverage what it calls cross-pillar synergies for exponential growth to boost financial performance. But having a diversified portfolio of businesses hasn’t always been the case for Oceanus.  It was once an abalone hatchery operator struggling with a lack of internal controls and corporate governance framework.  At one point in 2014, the SGX mainboard-listed company was on the brink of being wound out after losing its entire abalone farm to bad weather, causing it to default on S$94 million in debt.  That was when chief executive Peter Koh was roped in to manage the firm. Changes were made to Oceanus’ business model, and over the years, the firm repaid its dues and restructured its business to include new streams of revenue. The company also exited the Singapore Exchange watchlist in September 2021 after six years.  But what is Oceanus’ secret sauce to turning the business around? And from inking deals in Uzbekistan and Hainan – what is Oceanus doing to position itself for its next bound of growth? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian spoke with Peter Koh, Executive Director and Group CEO, Oceanus for more.

Aesthetic medicine allows people to alter their features but there are different standards of beauty in different cultures. There is a recent shift towards a preference for 'natural beauty' in Asian society. In achieving this goal, the doctors must guide their patients when helping them undergo this process. We speak to Dr Harvey Ho Han Loong, Aesthetic Doctor, Skinscape Clinic more about this.

Singapore stocks opened slightly higher today amid a mixed performance among index counters. That’s after the global markets closed mostly in positive territory on Friday. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.1 per cent to 3,281.14 points, after 68.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust after its  portfolio valuation for the half year ended June 2023 fell a further 1.6 per cent to about 2.3 billion euros (S$3.4 billion).  Elsewhere from India’s GDP growth expectations to China central bank selling cash deposits at record low rates, and Alibaba not selling any part of its stake in Ant Group’s share buyback, more international headlines are in focus.  Not to mention the blue chip Dow closing higher for the 10th straight day, its longest rally in about 6 years.  On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

PSG have been accused of "moral harassment" after leaving Kylian Mbappe out of their pre-season tour of Asia, and the French footballers' union said it could take legal action. The club's all-time leading goalscorer has told his employers that he will not extend his contract, which has 12 months left. So could they cash-in by selling him to Real Madrid? Elliott and Raushan discuss. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg