Jeongi-yeon Transfers Technology to Korea's Only 'Rover' Manufacturing Company

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The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) announced on the 1st that it has transferred electric powertrain technology to the rover manufacturing company for lunar and Mars exploration, 'Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL)'.

A lunar exploration rover being collaboratively developed by KERI and the Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL). Photo by KERI

A rover is a manned or unmanned vehicle that roams the surface of the moon or planets to analyze various environmental conditions (terrain, temperature, etc.) and perform resource exploration missions. With the development of a Korean lunar exploration lander scheduled by 2032, a 'rover' is needed as one of the payloads to carry out scientific missions, but the core component, the 'electric powertrain,' is currently dependent on imports.

The electric powertrain is a device that electrically transmits power from the battery to drive the wheels. It consists of a battery, converter, inverter, motor, and controller.

KERI has been researching and developing numerous domestic technologies related to motors and generators for land and marine mobility since the 2000s, and has now transferred this technology to UEL, the only domestic rover manufacturing company. UEL also participated as the Korean representative at the G20 Space Summit.

KERI electric powertrain mounted on the lunar exploration rover. Photo by KERI

Lee Ji-young, head of KERI's Aerospace Mobility Propulsion Research Team, stated, "The division of work between UEL, which develops the lunar exploration rover system, and KERI, which develops core components, is well established, and we will also cooperate in securing large government projects," outlining their plans.

Jo Nam-seok, CEO of UEL, said, "We will strive even harder to develop a rover with the performance required for space by receiving technology transferred from KERI."