Hanwha Systems and Ajou University Join Hands for Joint Research on Autonomous Driving Mobility Technology

Lee Su-jae, Head of Research and Development at Hanwha Systems (left), and Oh Young-tae, Vice President for Industry-Academia Cooperation at Ajou University, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing an MOU for joint research on autonomous driving mobility technology.
[Photo by Hanwha Systems]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Hanwha Systems announced on the 23rd that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ajou University for 'joint research on autonomous driving mobility technology.'

Through this agreement, the two institutions will promote various industry-academia cooperation activities, including ▲joint research on night vision technology ▲utilization of related research equipment and infrastructure ▲operation of consultative bodies and mutual technical consultation ▲provision of related educational programs.

Night vision is a vehicle-mounted thermal imaging camera that can be used in difficult observation environments such as day and night, fog, and rain. The related market is currently in its early formation stage and is expected to expand significantly with the emergence of new mobility industries such as autonomous vehicles and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

Hanwha Systems plans to integrate QuantumRed, an intelligent module mounted on thermal imaging cameras, with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and develop it into a module optimized for autonomous driving night vision to target the mobility sector market. Ajou University has established the 'Autonomous Driving Mobility Research Center' to apply AI technology to autonomous vehicles. It also possesses research achievements and know-how in various fields such as autonomous vehicle development, policy, and traffic environment.

Kim Yeon-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, "We expect synergy between Hanwha Systems, which possesses thermal imaging camera modules developed with over 40 years of accumulated electro-optical technology, and Ajou University, which has excellent research capabilities related to mobility." He added, "We will pioneer the autonomous driving night vision market and expand our business area to the UAM sector to lead the smart mobility thermal imaging module market."