Konkuk University and KIAST to Cooperate in Developing Core Technologies for UAM

Konkuk University announced that it has made a business agreement with the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST) on UAM(Urban AIR Mobility) and aviation, on the 13th.

Konkuk University and KIAST decided to jointly promote △Training professional manpower △Discovering national policies, research, and development projects △Human resource exchange and cooperation, including UAM.

Konkuk University and KIAST decided to work together because the UAM is one of the core technology fields leading the 4th industrial revolution, and it is drawing attention as new transportation which can innovatively solve problems of future urban transportation through eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology and artificial intelligence-based autonomous flight technology.

In particular, it is a key technology field for a smart city that foreign companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Boeing, and Uber, as well as domestic large companies such as Korean Air, Hyundai Motor Company, and Hanwha Systems, are showing great interest.

University Aerospace Design and Certification Institute (KADA) has conducted research on digital twin technology which implements real-world machines, equipment, and objects to the digital virtual world, as well as aircraft and operations for unmanned aerial vehicles and UAMs.

Under the theme of ‘Artificial intelligence digital twin technology research for smart urban air traffic’, from 2020, the school will receive 6.7 billion won from the Ministry of Education in support for a total of 3 phases and 9 years by 2029 through the university-focused research institute support project in the science and engineering field.

“This agreement will boost synergy effects in the development of core technologies for UAM industry and training of human resources,” said Jae-woo Lee, head of the KADA Research Institute.

Reported by 'Smart City Today'