LIG Nex1 and PRT Korea Sign MOU for Collaboration on Wireless Charging of Aviation Drones

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] LIG Nex1 is joining hands with wireless power transmission specialist PRT Korea (Power Republic R&D Center) to expand the drone industry base in both defense and civilian sectors.

LIG Nex1 and PRT Korea announced on the 24th that they have signed a comprehensive business partnership agreement (MOU) covering the entire aviation drone business. The signing ceremony was held on the 23rd at the LIG Nex1 Daejeon House, attended by key figures including Baek Joon-gi, Head of LIG Nex1’s Aviation Drone Business Division, and Kim Chang-guk, CEO of PRT Korea.

Through this agreement, both companies will jointly research and develop future aviation drone technologies for defense and civilian sectors and promote various cooperative activities such as mass production and export.

LIG Nex1 will be responsible for the overall development in the aviation drone field. The company explained that based on its experience participating in the development of multiple unmanned aerial vehicle systems such as next-generation corps and medium-to-high altitude UAVs led by the Agency for Defense Development, as well as its accumulated technological expertise in UAV systems, it will take charge of the system sector for new aviation drone and unmanned vehicle businesses, including the military’s upcoming drone bot combat system.

Baek Jung-gi, Head of the Aviation Drone Division at LIG Nex1 (left), and Kim Chang-guk, CEO of PRT Korea, pose for a commemorative photo after signing the agreement ceremony held at the LIG Nex1 Daejeon House. Photo by PRT Korea

PRT Korea will be responsible for developing wireless power transmission systems for drones and unmanned vehicles. A company official stated, "With collaboration between the two companies, the operation time of drones can be significantly extended," adding, "This will greatly aid military reconnaissance and surveillance operations."

PRT Korea is a corporation established for domestic and overseas research and development (R&D) as Power Republic, a wireless power transmission specialist company founded in 2016, prepared for listing in Canada. It has commercialized and mass-produced Korea’s first magnetic resonance wireless power transmission systems such as ‘PRC-HD-070TB’ and ‘Hoguwatt’. The company’s technology has been recognized by replacing Japanese companies’ magnetic induction products and supplying them. Additionally, in 2021, it succeeded in developing a national project for a drone wireless charging station capable of charging at multiple points, securing technology for the commercialization of drone wireless charging stations.

Baek Joon-gi, Head of LIG Nex1’s Aviation Drone Business Division, said, "This business agreement has become an opportunity to secure key battery wireless charging technology in the drone business, which has established itself as a core field of the 4th Industrial Revolution," and added, "We will strive to enhance the potential for military use in the future."

Kim Chang-guk, CEO of PRT Korea, expressed his ambition, saying, "Through this business agreement, we will strategically enter the drone market and use it as a stepping stone for listing in Canada and pioneering the North American market."