The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) is set to begin full-scale training in manufacturing-applied artificial intelligence (AI) for companies in small but strong special industrial zones nationwide.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute announced on the 28th that it had signed a 'business agreement for AI support in small but strong special zones' with the Foundation for the Promotion of Research and Development Special Zones and the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Changwon Small but Strong Special Zone, which puts forward 'intelligent electric-based machine convergence' as its core keyword, is actively carrying out business support projects in collaboration with the University of Waterloo, which boasts the world's highest level in the field of applied AI for manufacturing.

Since 2019, through big data-based AI technology, we have been effectively performing tasks for local companies such as 'diagnosing the failure status of core components,' 'assembly intelligence,' and 'effective tool management and optimal customized processing for each product.' As a result, beneficiary companies are seeing significant improvements in work efficiency, working environment, product quality, and productivity.

This agreement ceremony was organized for the purpose of disseminating the manufacturing AI technology of the Changwon Small but Strong Special Zone to companies located in small but strong special zones nationwide.

Centered on the Special Research and Development Zone Promotion Foundation, we identify companies wishing to utilize AI technology in the process and manufacturing sectors and provide technical support and verification for them.

In addition, core technology institutions of 14 Small Giant Special Zones nationwide, industry, and domestic and international research institutions The plan is to introduce best practices from promising companies in related fields and disseminate know-how through manufacturing-based AI education and seminars targeting these groups.

KERI President Kim Nam-kyun stated, “Many companies in small but strong special zones nationwide will benefit from support for advanced customized manufacturing AI demonstration, just like the exemplary case of Changwon,” and Kang Byung-sam, Chairman of the Korea Research & Development Special Zone Foundation, said, “Through this business agreement, we look forward to strengthening the AI competitiveness of companies within the special zones, as well as further revitalizing ecosystem exchange and cooperation between innovation entities in Korea and Canada.”

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its designation in 2019, the Changwon Small Giant Special Zone has invested a total of 14.76 billion won through last year to support technology discovery, technology transfer and commercialization, and specialized growth of small giant technology startups related to "intelligent electric-based mechanical convergence." Major achievements include 58 technology transfers (5.18 billion won), the establishment of 23 research institute companies, and the establishment of 34 startups in specialized fields.