Geochang County, National Changwon University Sign Agreement to Foster AI Drone and Robotics Industries

Collaborate on technology development and field demonstrations using local settings, including agriculture and disaster safety
Support business commercialization and workforce development; jointly pursue grant programs
Form working group to identify follow-up projects and build foundation for industry-academia cooperation

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province is joining forces with National Changwon University to establish a framework for cooperation in fostering the artificial intelligence (AI)-based drone and robotics industries and conducting field demonstrations.

The county said it signed an agreement on October 19 at National Changwon University's Geochang Campus to foster the AI drone and robotics industries and build a demonstration ecosystem.

Attendees at the signing ceremony included Geochang County Governor Lee Hong-gi, National Changwon University President Park Minwon, Vice President Kim Jae-gu, and other officials from both institutions. They discussed ways to cooperate on research and development, field demonstrations, corporate support, and professional workforce development.

[Photo courtesy of Geochang County] Geochang County Chief Lee Honggi and National Changwon University President Park Minwon pose for a commemorative photo after signing an agreement to foster the AI drone and robot industry and build a demonstration ecosystem at the university's Geochang campus on the 19th.

The agreement was pursued to establish a framework for cooperation spanning the development, demonstration, and commercialization of AI drone and robotics technologies by linking Geochang County's local conditions, including its agricultural areas, mountainous terrain, and disaster-safety needs, with National Changwon University's research and educational capabilities.

Under the agreement, Geochang County will develop infrastructure and administrative and financial support measures needed for field demonstrations of AI drone and robotics technologies. National Changwon University plans to support technology development and commercialization by related companies, drawing on the research and educational infrastructure at its Geochang Campus and its industry-academia cooperation network.

The two institutions will pursue joint research and demonstrations of AI drone and robotics technologies tailored to local needs in various fields, including agriculture, public health and care, disaster and emergency safety management, and the defense industry.

In particular, they will examine potential uses for technologies that address local conditions, such as improving work efficiency in agriculture, managing safety in mountainous areas, and responding to emergencies at disaster sites.

They also agreed to cooperate in securing the funding needed to carry out projects by identifying new collaborative initiatives and jointly responding to relevant grant programs run by the central government and South Gyeongsang Province.

Developing a skilled workforce and supporting youth employment are also key elements of the agreement.

The plan is to launch education and workforce development programs in AI drones and robotics, centered at National Changwon University's Geochang Campus, and support young people's employment and settlement in the region in partnership with related companies.

The two institutions also plan to establish a working group for fostering the AI drone and robotics industries, with representatives from both institutions, to identify joint research and development projects and follow-up initiatives and discuss specific implementation plans.

Geochang County Governor Lee Hong-gi said, "Geochang County's agricultural areas, mountainous terrain, and disaster-safety sites provide the conditions needed to test AI drone and robotics technologies in real-world settings. We will link the university's research capabilities with local sites to pursue practical collaborative projects."

He added, "We will work to identify projects involving companies, universities, and the local community so they can lead to new industrial foundations and job creation."

Geochang County had previously presented a plan to establish an AI demonstration complex specializing in disaster and safety. Through this agreement, it plans to expand the industry-academia cooperation needed for related technology development and field demonstrations.

However, the scale, timeline, and budget for specific demonstration projects will be determined through consultations between the two institutions and the development of related project plans.

The agreement is drawing attention because it will use Geochang's agricultural areas, mountainous terrain, and disaster-safety sites as demonstration grounds for AI drone and robotics technologies. However, translating the initiative into actual industrial growth and job creation will require follow-up implementation plans, including the selection of specific demonstration projects, securing budgets, and securing company participation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.