DAEGU — An exhibition bringing together advanced technologies across future industries — from humanoid robots to urban air mobility (UAM) and self-driving cars — opens in Daegu. Drawing particular attention are auto parts makers, the region's mainstay industry, which will unveil new technologies developed as they expand into robotics and future air mobility.
The Future Innovation Expo (FIX), now in its third year, runs for four days from the 21st to the 24th at EXCO Daegu, the Daegu Metropolitan Government said on the 20th. The exhibition spans mobility, robotics, information and communications technology (ICT) and startups, with a record 588 companies taking part. The share of overseas participants rose to 28% this year from 17% a year earlier. This year's theme, "AI: Beyond Technology, Into Everyday Life," highlights advanced technologies being applied on factory floors and in daily life.
The diversification of local auto parts makers stands out. SL Corporation (005850) will present the "Ssulmo Robot," a mobile AI dual-arm robot for manufacturing. The product combines the company's own autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with a dual-arm robot from Neuromeka and is currently undergoing field testing at its Seongseo plant. SL, which also handles contract manufacturing of Hyundai Motor's (005380) mobile robot platform MobED, plans to expand into robot supply over the longer term.
Sambo Motors will unveil a scaled-down model of the B-33X, a UAM aircraft it is developing using precision manufacturing and lightweighting technologies accumulated in auto parts. The company will also showcase air mobility technologies that can be used for passenger and cargo transport as well as reconnaissance. PHC will display actuators and other components used to drive robots.
Hyundai Motor and GM Technical Center Korea (GMTCK), along with Mercedes-Benz, Zeekr, Neolix and Volocopter, will also present future mobility technologies. In robotics, HD Hyundai Robotics will unveil next-generation collaborative robots and new dual-arm robot products, while Doosan Robotics and Dogu Robotics will also exhibit their technologies.
In ICT, Megazone Cloud and OnePredict are among the participants. Nineteen Chinese AI companies and 30 AI companies from Southeast Asia will attend the expo for the first time.
A conference running for three days from the 21st will bring together 61 experts from 14 countries. Cho Kyu-jin, a professor at Seoul National University, and Brian McMurray, head of GMTCK, will deliver keynote speeches. Export consultation sessions have been expanded to two days this year from one day last year and will be held on the 22nd and 23rd. About 100 buyers from some 30 countries are expected to hold talks with participating companies.
Choo Kyung-ho, mayor of Daegu, said the event "will be an opportunity for companies to generate tangible export and investment results through technology cooperation and business exchanges, and for citizens to experience firsthand how AI and advanced technologies are permeating industrial sites and everyday life."