Kakao Mobility is applying its artificial intelligence (AI)-based dispatch, routing, and control technologies to the defense sector. In collaboration with Korea University, the company aims to develop a platform that integrates various manned and unmanned systems, including drones, robots, and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), while also training professionals in defense AI.
Kakao Mobility announced on October 6 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the C5ISRT Research Institute at Korea University to promote mutual development in the field of defense AI.
The C5ISRT Research Institute specializes in advanced command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target processing systems. Led by Director Kang Seok-jung, an expert in defense technology management and defense project management, the institute conducts research and advisory activities related to defense AI and advanced command and control systems.
Recently, the Ministry of National Defense selected the institute as the lead organization to operate the 'Military-Industry-Academic Cooperation Center' in Yongsan, Seoul, as part of its 'Defense AX Hub' initiative, which aims to foster civil-military AI collaboration across five regions nationwide.
This agreement is a response to the evolving defense environment, where the use of various manned and unmanned systems is expanding. The goal is to integrate core mobility technologies into the defense sector, focusing on research and business collaboration in areas such as AI-based command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and the development of a joint control platform for manned and unmanned systems. The two parties will also work together to train professionals in defense AI and participate in the establishment of the Military-Industry-Academic Cooperation Center in Yongsan.
Multi-domain operations (MUM-T) involve manned platforms operated by humans collaborating with one or more unmanned systems to conduct joint missions. As troop resources decline and the importance of unmanned platforms like drones and robots increases, these technologies are seen as essential for future warfare.
Recently, the use of various unmanned systems, including drones, quadrupedal robots, and UGVs, has been expanding. Consequently, the ability to operate heterogeneous equipment efficiently within a single system and analyze information collected on-site to optimally allocate and manage resources is becoming increasingly important.
Kakao Mobility has been connecting mobility demand and supply in areas such as taxis, navigation, parking, and logistics, while enhancing its AI-based demand forecasting, dispatch, routing, and control technologies. These technologies are also being applied in the fields of autonomous driving and robotics. In the robotics sector, the company has demonstrated platform technology that predicts demand and supply to dispatch robots and manage the movements of multiple robots.
Building on this foundation, both parties plan to extend their orchestration capabilities to integrate and enhance various manned and unmanned systems, including drones, robots, and UGVs, within a single platform for defense applications.
Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility, stated, "Through our collaboration with Korea University, we aim to apply the core technologies and platform operational capabilities we have accumulated in future mobility to the defense sector. We will actively support Defense AX to strengthen domestic defense industry competitiveness and enhance capabilities for future warfare."
Kang Seok-jung, Director of the C5ISRT Research Institute at Korea University, remarked, "As the use of various manned and unmanned systems expands, the ability to integrate and analyze vast amounts of information collected on the battlefield for rapid command and decision-making is emerging as a core element of future defense capabilities. We aim to achieve meaningful results in advancing future defense technologies through our collaboration with Kakao Mobility, a leading mobility company in Korea."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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