[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] The Korea Institute of Robot Convergence (KIRO) and HANWHA SYSTEMS have established a joint research hub to develop autonomous operation technology for unmanned maritime systems and core technologies for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

The Korea Institute of Robot Convergence (KIRO) announced on the 1st that it held an opening ceremony for the “Joint Research Lab for Intelligent Maritime Cooperative Systems” and a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding with HANWHA SYSTEMS(272210)at its Pohang headquarters on the 30th of last month.

This joint research lab serves as a permanent hub for collaborative research on autonomous operation technologies for unmanned maritime systems and core technologies for manned-unmanned integrated systems. The two institutions plan to operate it as a collaborative platform that goes beyond project-based cooperation to encompass joint planning, research and development, demonstration, and commercialization.

Key officials from both organizations, including Kang Ki-won, President of the Korea Institute of Robot Convergence, and Yoo Moon-ki, Vice President of HANWHA SYSTEMS, attended the opening ceremony.

The Korea Institute of Robot Convergence possesses core technologies for marine unmanned systems, including mission management, navigation, and autonomous control. HANWHA SYSTEMS is a defense and ICT company with capabilities in the development and commercialization of domestic marine unmanned systems.

Since 2017, the two organizations have jointly carried out R&D projects in the defense and public sectors, starting with the development of end-to-end guidance and docking technologies for unmanned submersibles, followed by the development of swarm-search autonomous unmanned submersibles and their operation systems, as well as the development of next-generation mine-clearing systems based on autonomous navigation.

Moving forward, the two organizations will work to establish a mid- to long-term technology roadmap for unmanned maritime systems and identify new collaborative projects. They will also jointly research and develop core technologies for unmanned maritime systems—including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)—and embark on the development of technologies related to autonomous operations, mission planning, mission sharing, integrated operations, and MUM-T.

The scope of cooperation also includes field testing and performance verification, commercialization in the defense, public, and civilian sectors, as well as exchanges of technology and personnel. In addition to the ongoing collaboration on the development of autonomous operation technology for unmanned vessels, the two institutions plan to jointly plan new projects for future unmanned maritime systems, such as large unmanned submersibles and unmanned surface vessels.

Kang Ki-won, President of the Korea Institute of Robot Convergence, stated, “The opening of this joint research lab marks a new starting point for leading future unmanned maritime system technologies, building on the collaborative achievements accumulated by both institutions.” He added, “We will jointly develop core technologies for the autonomous operation of unmanned maritime systems and manned-unmanned integrated systems, and contribute to the transition to unmanned operations in the national maritime and defense sectors, as well as to strengthening the technological competitiveness of future unmanned maritime systems.”