Huawei Media Tour 2019

I had the opportunity to visit China’s economic powerhouse, Shenzhen, where tech giant Huawei is based. The tour opened the world to Huawei’s brand-new headquarters, automated assembly line, and its very own university. The tour was able to showcase not only the amazing things that Huawei does with its mobile devices, but also showcased the amazing work that the brand is putting into other areas of business like 5G, automated driving technology, virtual reality, and most importantly, cybersecurity.

The most amazing thing about this company is the fact that it has sworn to dedicate at least 10% of its revenue each year to Research and Development. Last year alone, the brand invested over 14% which is massive, considering it topped $100B USD in 2018. It is also so invested innovation that it built a brand new HQ based in Shenzhen, China that is compiled of European-style castles. The top executives have a passion for architecture, but the headquarters also looks to foster a culture of innovation by providing an environment that is both inspiring and designed to promote creative thinking.

We first had the please to visit Huawei's 5G exhibition space that showcased a number of applications that will help bring this new technology into the world. Not only is the brand's 5G technology faster than what we’re currently used to, but it is also efficient. This means that it requires less power but still manages to deliver stronger signals with faster speeds. It’s a win-win for network providers and consumers. The company's goal is to move this technology into markets that have a need for connectivity without breaking the bank. It will be perfect for developing countries, and those that live in rural areas as it is a basic human right to get connected with the rest of the world.

We were then brought to Huawei’s iLab or Innovation Lab. This is the hub that looks to develop all things Virtual Reality and its application to the real world. Huawei is looking to not only develop this technology for applications like gaming and entertainment but more importantly, to the training and development of the world in specialized areas. We had the opportunity to pilot a program that trains doctors to perform complex heart surgeries where we were able to not only learn about the complex organ but also to do some hands-on training on how to perform surgeries that are just as complex.

We also had the pleasure to tour Huawei's cybersecurity lab, showcasing the company's dedication to living in a cyber-safe world. It is a leader in the industry in terms of cybersecurity and encourages open and transparent communication and collaboration with other companies to encourage the safety of the world’s consumers. This means that it is willing to share its learnings and advancements in the world of cybersecurity with any organization that shares the same vision for the future.

By the end of the trip, I was captured by Huawei’s dedication to being consumer-centric by always putting its customer first. I was also amazed by the company’s dedication to cybersecurity that also links back to its consumer-centric culture. I’m so honoured to have been a part of such a wonderful experience, and will definitely be looking to get on the train when my next phone upgrade is ready.