Selected as lead agency for Regional Innovation Cluster Development project, with 31.2 billion won committed to build future mobility value chain in Ulsan

Ulsan Technopark has been selected as the lead agency for the Regional Innovation Cluster Development project backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Pictured is the main building of Ulsan Technopark. [Ulsan Technopark]
Ulsan Technopark has been selected as the lead agency for the Regional Innovation Cluster Development project backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Pictured is the main building of Ulsan Technopark. [Ulsan Technopark]

Ulsan Technopark has been selected as the lead agency for the Regional Innovation Cluster Development project — backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and carried out by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and the Ulsan Institute for Regional Program Evaluation — and will receive 22.5 billion won (approximately $14.7 million) over five years through 2030 to develop the mobility industry.

Five companies — MS Autosys Co., K-Road Robotics Co., Korea BTS Co., Autorex Co. and KBI Dongkuk Industries — will serve as lead project partners alongside 11 other institutions, forming an industry-academia-research collaboration network.

The project's core goal is to develop a "physical AI-based autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and purpose-built vehicle (PBV) convergence platform technology" aimed at driving innovation across manufacturing, logistics and service industries.

Key development tasks include a power-driven platform linking smart manufacturing processes with last-mile logistics; a vehicle body platform and power control system incorporating multimodal sensors; a DSS (decision support system)-integrated eccentric wheel module and intelligent control mechanism; smart powertrain technology with automatic charging; a high-strength, lightweight variable vehicle body; and PBV-customized interior components.

The total project budget comes to 31.23 billion won, combining 22.5 billion won in government funding with 8.74 billion won in private contributions.

The project is significant in that it will directly build a future mobility value chain in Ulsan — connecting core technologies held by local small and mid-sized companies in a seamless pipeline from component and module development through system integration, demonstration and commercialization.

By organically combining AMR technology, a cornerstone of manufacturing process automation, with next-generation PBVs, the project is expected to foster a robust industrial ecosystem spanning companies from parts and materials suppliers to fully integrated mobility platform developers.


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