Samsung has laid off 25 of its 250 employees at its Ramat Gan R&D center. The fired employees worked in the analog and Asic sectors, which Samsung is outsourcing, while the R&D center is focusing on other areas. Samsung wishes to concentrate on mobile health. One example can already be seen on the S5 Galaxy smart phone, which has a fingerprint sensor for identifying pulse and blood pressure. The company will also develop a wearable computer for monitoring and health, and will bolster its activity in algorithms and software.
Samsung R&D wants to expand its computer vision business to facilitate analysis of information on the screen image and understanding of what it happening on it, and to improve communication with the user. The company also deals in Internet of Things (IOT). Samsung has recruited 10 employees in these activities in recent months, and plans to add 20 more by the end of the year.
Samsung R&D Israel is responsible for development of images on Samsung smart phones; its work can be seen on the S5 Galaxy.
A distinction should be made between the two activities of Samsung Israel. Samsung has an R&D center established five years ago in Ramat Gan that works independently from the company's marketing and distribution activity, which is located in Yakum and managed by a different CEO.
Samsung R&D Israel declined to respond to the report.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 6, 2014
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