Gwangju City is launching a local autonomous research and development (R&D) initiative focused on semiconductors, energy, and mobility, aimed at identifying and developing technologies needed by local industries and businesses.
According to Gwangju City, the Ministry of Science and ICT recently held a launch ceremony for the '4-Region 3-Specialty Local Autonomous R&D Project' at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), marking the start of the initiative. A total of 13.1 billion won (approximately $11 million) will be invested in the Honam region this year.
Local autonomous R&D moves away from a central government-led support model, allowing regions to directly plan and execute research projects based on their industrial conditions, scientific capabilities, and technological demands from businesses.
The '4-Region 3-Specialty Local Autonomous R&D Project' will see a total investment of 78.9 billion won (about $66 million) across seven regions nationwide this year. Each of the four regions will focus on three key technology areas, while each of the three specialties will concentrate on two, aligning R&D efforts with regional industrial and scientific strengths.
In the Honam region, Gwangju City will set the project direction based on local industrial policies and corporate technology needs, with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) leading the initiative to support research planning and execution among local universities, research institutions, and businesses.
The three core areas of focus are semiconductors, energy, and mobility.
In the semiconductor sector, the initiative aims to develop advanced packaging and thermal management technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI), as well as high-reliability AI, optical, and power semiconductor technologies, facilitating proof of concept and commercialization.
In the energy sector, the focus will be on securing next-generation clean energy technologies, including virtual power lines (VPL), sodium-ion battery-based grid-forming energy storage systems (ESS), green hydrogen, and laser nuclear fusion.
In mobility, the project plans to develop AI-based autonomous manufacturing technologies using multi-type robots, non-destructive diagnostics and resource recycling for used batteries, and traffic safety and disaster response technologies based on urban digital twins, with plans for on-site proof of concept.
The Honam project team held an information session at GIST on September 4 to outline the project direction and research group application plans to local universities and research institutions. Recruitment for research groups participating in the project began on September 11.
Seo Hyung-bin, Director of the Strategic Industry Bureau of Gwangju City, stated, "This project is significant as it allows the region to identify and plan the necessary R&D projects independently, linking them to future industries. We will support the connection between the integrated city's research and industrial foundations and local academic and industrial capabilities to ensure that R&D outcomes lead to business growth and enhanced industrial competitiveness."
This initiative differs from traditional central government-led R&D efforts by reflecting the actual technological needs of local industries and businesses from the project selection stage. The integrated city aims to establish a regionally driven R&D ecosystem that connects the research capabilities of local academic and industrial entities, ensuring that technology development leads to proof of concept and commercialization.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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