Planby Team Blog

Planby will be visiting Silicon Valley once again, this time to participate in the founders retreat hosted by 500 Global and Seoul Business Agency (SBA). Planby applied for this founders retreat in April, in hopes of visiting Silicon Valley again to connect with fellow start-ups, meet potential investors and to conduct market research on local architectural firms. 5 other start-ups in different areas of business will be joining the trip, making the experience more rich and diverse. As soon as we arrived there, we were greeted by the officials at SBA who had set up our seats and drinks. We also saw some familiar faces like Peter and Blaire who have been taking care of us since their investment in Planby Technologies last year. We had also met some of the founders of other starts-ups who were participating in the retreat. It was a great chance to catch up with them and talk about their plans in the future. The session began with an introduction to the program with the full itinerary explained in detail. The schedule included sessions led by renowned experts in the start-up scene, visiting HQs of Silicon Valley-based firms like Stripe, Salesforce, Mercury, Notion and etc. We are especially looking forward to the sessions in pitching to potential investors and sales training. These sessions will certainly help us increase our firm’s attractiveness to investors and gain traction in the US market. Followed by the introduction to the program, we were presented with the legal and moral issues we have to be careful for while we stay there. Since it is a program ran under the names of 500 Global and SBA, we are going to have to do our best to well represent the organizations that support us. Additional people who are going to accompany us during the program shared a briefing on the sessions and activities they are going to be involved in. Lastly, we were given tips on how to make the most out of this program. This included who to talk to frequently for getting tips on getting investment, what kind of IR decks we should prepare, what kind of elevator pitches are the most effective in Silicon Valley, and even how to get around the neighborhood with rental cars. The SBA officials were also kind enough to share tips on how to execute the budget allocated on the trip so we could use it to actually help with our business activities that go beyond the scope of the program. With 2 weeks remaining before we head off to Silicon Valley, we are doing our best to prepare for what we can. We hope to meet a lot of people, learn a lot of things, get inspired and make a noteworthy progress in our business while we are there.

While we were busy preparing for CES in January, we were introduced to the CEO of an office design firm based in Korea. One of our acquaintances suggested that it might be a good idea to receive strategic investment from them. So as soon as we got back from CES, we scheduled a meeting and met up with them in February. First Meeting Our CEO, COO and CTO attended this meeting to talk with their CEO and CPO. We introduced them to our services and jointly thought of ways to apply our services to their line of work. However, they were very sensitive to security issues as their designs were their primary asset. So after the first meeting, we sent them an email including a functions manual along with some suggestions on how we can maintain design security while providing our services. We offered a completely separate database, domain, AI model and learning data to ensure their IP will not get breached. However, after we sent them this email, we didn’t hear back from them for over 2 months. We thought we had lost a valuable client and decided moved on to other potential clients. Just as we were listing up our potential target clients, we received an email from their CEO saying that they want to catch up and continue discussing our collaboration. We were thrilled to hear back from them and promptly scheduled a follow-up meeting. Second Meeting As a couple of months had passed, our services had improved greatly in terms of UI/UX as well as in terms the quality of the design results. In the first meeting, they were interested in turning 3D clay models into life-like renderings. So we emphasized the additional function we made in response to their interest. At this point, we had also made a solid sales deck to visually show them our capabilities and use cases, so it was much easier to communicate. At the end of this meeting, their CEO agreed to hold a 3-month trial run with their designers to test our services’ practicality. Third and final meeting The third meeting went smooth. We settled the technical aspects of the contract. We decided to only charge them with the actual server fees that is required to use our services. The contract was signed on the spot without any further complication. As to the method in which the trial run is tested, we are trying to answer the following questions: At what stage of the design process should they use Planby’s services to maximize efficiency and effectiveness? What kind of input is required to create the highest quality output? The 3 month period was set to answer those questions while actually using them in their line of work. We will visit their company every other week to interview them on user experience and receive feedback. Based on our interviews and their feedback, we will continue to improve the services’ usability and quality of output. Once this this 3-month trial is over, we will renegotiate the terms of the contract after we evaluate each other’s importance. If they do decide to fully implement our services, we will create their custom AI model, construct their own database infrastructure and create a independent web domain as promised. Their onboarding orientation to our services is on the 27th of May and we cannot wait to start working with our latest client!

Interior design creation is the core function provided by Planby Studio. Simply put, this function creates novel interior designs based on prompts or a reference image. Multiple designs can be created with a single combination of prompts or a single reference image. Input - The inputs for this function can be largely divided into screenshots of 3D Model images and real-life photos of the subject space. 3D Model Image - This input image type refers to screenshots of 3D model images created with computer aided design tools such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino or any other 3D modeling tool that constructs 3D images with structural layouts. Our AI model automatically analyses the structural features such as walls, ceilings, pillars, and floors in the image. These structural features are maintained in the output while overlaying design elements. We recommend this input to those who are familiar with 3D computer aided design tools. Real-life Photo - This is the more intuitive input image type for the general public with no prior experience using design tools. You can simply take a photo of your fully furnished living room, bedroom or any interior space (residential, office, commercial, etc) and use it as the input. You can even use a photo of a site under construction, as long as the major structural layouts such as walls and pillars are in place. Likewise to the 3D model image input, our AI model will automatically analyse the structural features and keep them intact in the output design. Space - Once you have uploaded the input image, you have to select what type of space best describes the space you have uploaded. If you are unsure what type of space it will be, choose a space type that you want to explore. Prompt - Prompts are one way users can control the type of design they want to overlay on their input image. Prompts can be nouns or adjectives that describe the desired characteristics of the space. Keywords that describe the tone and manner of the space is one option. Adjectives such as modern or classic determine a certain set of design characteristic for the space. Adjectives that describe the color and feel of the space is another alternative. Prompt words like warm or cool set a consistent color scheme in the design output. Using multiple keywords as prompts helps the AI model create a more defined output. The prompt input function is currently unavailable as we are still deciding whether to receive them in the form of free texts or in the form of keyword selection. After we collect enough data on user preferences, we will update this function promptly. Reference Image - Adding a reference image can help users visually translate their desired designs on to the input image. When a reference image is added to the model, the model extracts design elements such as colors, furniture, patterns, finishing material, lighting and etc. The extracted design elements are overlaid on the structural layouts of the input in multiple variations. The model creates higher quality output if the reference image is similar in composition to the input image. For instance, the output would be better with a living room input and a living room reference image as opposed to a living input and an outdoor reference image. Only specified image files can be uploaded as a reference image.

On April 22nd, 2024, Planby Technologies Inc. had its first staff dinner with all members together face to face. With flexible working hours and remote working systems in place, it was difficult to schedule everyone’s time to gather for a staff dinner. But with the NextRise Start-up fair just around the corner, as well as the business trip to the US approaching in June, we had to meet up and align our vision. The first thirty minutes were somewhat awkward as some members were not familiar with each other, despite having worked together online for quite a while. However, as we started eating delicious lamb skewers and drinking Somaek(Korean style bomb mixing Soju and beer), the mood quickly turned friendly and vibrant. We spent the first hour or so getting to know each other better at a personal level. We guessed each other’s MBTI(Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) based on the experience we have with each other and talked about how everyone ended up working at Planby. On top of that, we shared some personal information that might help us get along better. After the personal talk was over, we had the time to share our opinions on the future of the company, the current role each person has, and what kind of efforts we could make to improve they way we work. Fruitful discussions accompanied by a lot of laughter led to some surprisingly pragmatic suggestions on improving communication between people who work on different tasks, and how we could better harness the tools we are currently using such as Slack, Notion and Figma. On top of the constructive feedbacks and opinions, we shared frank worries and opinions which helped us connect deeper and unite as a team. Because some of us had to leave sooner than others, the staff dinner picked up its pace in terms of drinking, leading to fun shenanigans that will not be disclosed here for the sake of our reputation. Let’s just say we had our own little version of “Squid Game” without any physical violence involved. All in all, this staff dinner definitely helped us develop as a team and we are looking forward to more fun and constructive staff dinners as our team grows both in size and depth. If you want to know more about us and what we do, check out our other articles!

Last week, Planby Technologies Inc. had a follow-up meeting with a global corporate identity firm that is planning to develop an AI solution for the automation of interior design. Our potential partner firm had rich experience in planning, building and managing car dealership stores for brands such as Mercedes-Bez and BMW, mainly in European regions. To innovate and revolutionize the design and planning process for the entire automotive dealer retail ecosystem, they wanted to harness the power of AI boosting efficiency, customer satisfaction and aesthetic appeal. The solution consists of largely 4 parts, namely AI-assisted concept development, chatbot embedding, floor plan automation, and 3D furniture rendering. Planby Technologies Inc. is considering participating as one of the suppliers for this holistic solution. There are multiple values Planby Technologies Inc. can offer to a firm with such an agenda in mind. The core function we can offer is the creation of multiple different car dealership store designs that is consistent with the brand image. Retail dealership stores need a consistent tone and mood to their interior design as well as details including finishing material and construction method. These can all be addressed using Planby’s reference image design function which extracts design elements from a reference image and applies it on the subject image. Design elements that are extracted include furniture, objects, finishing material, lighting and overall mood, which can all contribute to a coherent corporate identity required by each brand. Especially with a client that has abundant experience and data regarding a certain car brand, photos of existing dealership stores and previously generated design concepts can be used to feed the AI model, leading to better quality and consistency of new designs. As we expand our presence to diverse markets, we are excited to share how AI is progressing in different parts of the world. For more applications of AI on interior design & architecture around the world, check out our other articles!

On April 8, 2024, members at Planby had the delightful opportunity of sharing a memorable evening with the SeedX3 batch team of 500 Global - our esteemed investors. A vibrant Korean BBQ party, buzzing with lively discussions, laughter, and an exchange of ideas that strengthened our bond with fellow entrepreneurs. Previously, our team had been part of the SeedX program in California, sharing the stage with various innovative teams from the 500 Global portfolio. This enriching journey spanned from September to November, offering a plethora of learning experiences. Now, with nearly half a year whisked away, we found ourselves amidst the third batch of this program - a realization that sparked a sense of accomplishment and injected a refreshing perspective. The current batch, a melting pot of companies operating in diverse markets like logistics and commerce, offered a glimpse of the intense survival competition that is a reality in these sectors. As early participants of the program, we at Planby had the unique advantage of sharing our journey - the challenges we faced, the victories we celebrated, and our myriad experiences in Korea and the US - with 500 Global and other teams. Our stint in the US, particularly in the bustling tech hub of Palo Alto, California, was marked by a spectrum of experiences. From engaging in dynamic training sessions and Sync up meetings at the 500 Global HQ to making impromptu sales pitches at local interior design companies, we had a chance to immerse ourselves in the US market. These experiences not only offered us valuable insights and a grasp of market reactions but also paved the way for us to share our narrative at the event. In essence, this platform enabled us to communicate why we decided to venture into the US market and how we seized opportunities that we identified in California. It was inspiring to see that many teams in this batch held a shared vision of penetrating the US market. Their resilience and determination to navigate through fierce competition was truly commendable. As we collectively prepare to set foot in the US this June, the anticipation of the unfolding chapters of our journey is indeed exhilarating. The event also offered us a window into how other industries perceive the US market, the opportunities they are eyeing, and their concerns. The Planby team is excited to continue sharing our story of growth with 500 Global. We invite you to be a part of our exciting journey and appreciate your continued support and high expectations. Thank you!

Planby was invited to attend the 2024 CES. We were able to exhibit at the KAIST booth, and although it was not grand, it was a great honor to be able to attend a global event. Before departing for the United States - We communicated with the production team for about 2 weeks to create posters. We compiled the product brochures we had been using, and added diagrams that could well represent our technology. Since we couldn't constantly man the booth, we also included the contact details of our team members and LinkedIn IDs in the poster. Finally, Leaving for the United States! - We arrived at Las Vegas the day before the event started, stopping over Hawaii and LA to save a little on airfare. It was quite a tiring schedule, but due to the soaring prices of direct flights to Las Vegas during the event, we were recommended to enjoy some sightseeing in other cities. At the time, the weather in both Korea and Las Vegas was quite cold, but we faced a really different heat when we stopped by Hawaii in the middle (honestly, it was too hot and humid, I wanted to get out quickly 🫠) During the event - We visited various booths during the main event period. In fact, we had to explain by preparing a chair at our booth, so we only relied on the contact details left on the poster. (The thought was that if someone was really interested, they would contact us on their own) We said hello to the officials at KAIST and toured other start-up booths with acquaintances at the Industrial Bank Of Korea. Many startups were explaining with various items, and certainly the theme of this year’s CES was ‘1.AI, 2.AI, 3.AI!’. Now, beyond the simple generative AI ‘technology’, there were numerous products such as platforms based on it, SaaS, robotics, contents, etc. As we are developing an architectural design automation solution based on image creation AI, it is very much expected which company will survive and achieve AI innovation in the industry and society. First contact with a potential client - Finally, our first contact was made through the contact details attached to our poster! A CSO of a Euporean corporate identity firm was planning a total automation solution for interior design, and believed that our technology could help them. Online meetings across the Atlantic ocean were quite tiring, but we managed to communicate smoothly and are currently ongoing. This story will continue in the article below.