The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI, Acting President Kim Nam-kyun) solidified its AI cooperation with the University of Waterloo in Canada.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute announced on the 6th that it participated in the '2022 Canada-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (CKC)' and co-hosted a presentation session with the University of Waterloo.

This session was organized for the purpose of sharing current issues between both parties collaborating on the 'Manufacturing AI' business and exploring collaboration strategies to support companies more effectively in the post-COVID era.

KERI first established a relationship with the University of Waterloo through CKC in 2019, and since 2020, has been carrying out the 'Manufacturing AI' project to support local small and medium-sized enterprises located in Changwon, Gyeongnam, using big data-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Starting this year, the scope of the business has been expanded to include companies in the Busan Metropolitan City region.

The main activities were 'diagnosis of core component failure status', 'assembly intelligence', 'effective tool management and optimal customized machining for each product', and 'optimal high-frequency heat treatment' through AI, and companies saw effects such as increased work efficiency, improved product quality and productivity, and improved working environments.

Both sides aim to gradually expand the application of AI technology not only in manufacturing but also in fields such as healthcare and robotics. In addition, they plan to increase the frequency of visits to Korea and company inspections by the research team from the University of Waterloo, Canada, which had been delayed due to COVID-19. One researcher from the University of Waterloo has already been conducting joint research at KERI since the first half of this year.

Kim Jong-mun, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Research Center at KERI, stated, “Small local companies are in a situation where they cannot blindly apply AI because they have almost no neural networks built to receive data, and even if they apply it immediately, they cannot achieve significant results.” He added, “Our goal is to advance manufacturing AI in a customized, step-by-step manner according to the current level and circumstances of the companies.”

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Through its participation in CKC, the institute plans to communicate with Korean scientists in Canada by setting up its own promotional booth and explore other collaborative projects that could become the next generation of manufacturing AI.