Government-led national R&D project to drive manufacturing AI transformation

Collaborative framework to cover technology development and demonstration

Self-driving car and SDV solution requirements under review

KGM joins the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy-led M.AX Alliance, signing an MOU with companies and institutions in the AI future vehicle division, including Hyundai Mobis, Rideflux, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, the Korea Intelligent Automotive Parts Promotion Institute, the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. KGM CEO Hwang Ki-young (fourth from right) poses for a photo with attendees at the MOU signing ceremony. [KGM]
KGM joins the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy-led M.AX Alliance, signing an MOU with companies and institutions in the AI future vehicle division, including Hyundai Mobis, Rideflux, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, the Korea Intelligent Automotive Parts Promotion Institute, the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. KGM CEO Hwang Ki-young (fourth from right) poses for a photo with attendees at the MOU signing ceremony. [KGM]

KG Mobility (KGM) announced Thursday that it has joined the M.AX Alliance, a government-led initiative overseen by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and signed a memorandum of understanding with companies and institutions in the AI future vehicle division — including Hyundai Mobis, Rideflux, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, the Korea Intelligent Automotive Parts Promotion Institute, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology.

The signing ceremony was held Wednesday at Hyundai Mobis in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Attendees included KGM CEO Hwang Ki-young, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, Manufacturing Industry Policy Director Kim Eui-jung, Hyundai Mobis CEO Lee Gyu-seok, Rideflux CEO Park Jung-hee, Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association Chairman Jeong Dae-jin, Korea Automotive Technology Institute President Jin Jong-wook, Korea Intelligent Automotive Parts Promotion Institute President Seo Jae-hyung, KEIT President Lee Yong-pil and Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology President Jeon Yun-jong.

The M.AX Alliance is a government-industry-academia collaborative initiative designed to help South Korea's manufacturing sector overcome structural challenges and emerge as a global leader in AI-driven manufacturing transformation. It is organized into 11 divisions spanning major manufacturing value chains.

Through their participation in the alliance, KGM and other companies and institutions in the AI future vehicle division will carry out national R&D projects commissioned by the ministry, building an integrated framework for cooperation across technology development and real-world demonstration.

KGM will take a leading role in reviewing technical requirements for AI-powered self-driving cars and software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, while driving the integration and optimization of technologies needed to secure vehicle marketability. The company also plans to simultaneously advance the localization of drive motors and the early-stage development of core hardware platforms and application software, laying the groundwork for internalizing high-quality autonomous driving technology.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Mobis will provide SDV platform support and technical assistance; Rideflux will apply AI technology to autonomous driving solution development and a Level 2+ driver control assistance system; the Korea Automotive Technology Institute will offer technical consulting on SDV and driving-assistance solutions; and the Korea Intelligent Automotive Parts Promotion Institute will support real-vehicle testing and the development of driving test infrastructure.

"Through this project, we will work closely with our partners on technology, testing and R&D planning to successfully integrate SDV platforms and autonomous driving technology into our new vehicles," KGM CEO Hwang said. "We expect to not only validate the mass-production readiness of our electric and electronic vehicle platform, but also to internalize core technological capabilities alongside securing an SDV platform."

Hwang added that KGM would continue to pursue SDV and AI-based autonomous driving technology — key pillars of future mobility — as well as complete its eco-friendly vehicle lineup, securing new growth engines and building a foundation for sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, KGM has been rapidly expanding its global footprint. The company recently signed MOUs with B&C and Youngsanglonett to enter the knockdown vehicle assembly business in Ethiopia.


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