The Korea Institute of Electrical Research (KERI) announced on April 28th that it has signed a "business agreement to support AI in the strong and small special zones" with the Special R&D Zone Promotion Foundation and the University of Waterloo in Canada.
The strong and small special zone in Changwon, which boasts 'intelligent electrical-based machine convergence' as its core keyword, is actively engaged in business support projects with the University of Waterloo, which boasts the world's highest level of AI applied to manufacturing. Since 2019, big data-based AI technology has been used to effectively perform tasks such as 'diagnosing core component failure conditions,' 'intelligent assembly,' 'effective tool management,' and 'optimally customized machining for each product' for local companies, and as a result, beneficiary companies have seen great effects such as increased work efficiency, improved work environment, and improved product quality and productivity.
This agreement was organized with the aim of spreading the manufacturing AI technology of the Changwon strong and small special zones to companies in strong and small special zones across the country. Centering on the R&D Special Zone Promotion Foundation, it identifies companies that want to utilize AI technology in the field of process and manufacturing and provides technical support and verification for them. In addition, it plans to introduce the best practices of promising companies in related fields and spread know-how through manufacturing-based AI training and seminars for 14 technology core institutions, industries, and domestic and foreign research institutes nationwide.
Kim Nam-kyun, President of KERI, said, "Many companies in the strong and small special zones across the country will benefit from advanced customized manufacturing AI demonstration support like Changwon's best practice," and "We expect this business agreement to strengthen the AI competitiveness of companies in the special zone."
"Through this business agreement, we hope to strengthen the AI competitiveness of companies in strong and small special zones as well as further activate ecosystem exchanges and cooperation between innovation actors in Korea and Canada," said Kang Byung-sam, Chairman of R&D Special Zone Promotion Foundation.
Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Science and Technology Research Association of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its designation in 2019, the Changwon strong and small special zones have invested related to 'intelligent electricity-based machine convergence' 14.76 billion won in total project costs until last year to support technology discovery, technology transfer commercialization, and specialized growth of small and medium-sized technology start-ups related to 'intelligent electricity-based machine convergence'. Major achievements include 58 technology transfer performances (5.18 billion won), 23 research institute companies, and 34 start-up companies in specialized fields.
