Ulsan and Jeonnam-Gwangju to Jointly Lead the Humanoid-Based Transformation of the Automotive Industry

[Financial News, Ulsan | Choi Su-sang, Correspondent] Ulsan Metropolitan City and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City have agreed to establish a super-regional future mutual growth framework spanning the automotive, energy and cultural sectors.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook and Min Hyung-bae, mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, signed the Future Mutual Growth Friendship Agreement at Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Hall on the 28th. They also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in industrial AI transformation with leading universities from both regions. The four participating universities are the University of Ulsan, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Chonnam National University and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST).
The participating institutions agreed to launch a multifaceted cooperation framework for research into key technologies related to industrial AI transformation and for training specialized talent.
Under the agreement, Ulsan and Jeonnam-Gwangju agreed to work closely on the development of AI-based factories (AIDF) and industrial AI transformation, using the Ulsan–Jeonnam-Gwangju Humanoid-Based Automotive Manufacturing AI Transformation (M. AX) Support Project as a starting point.
The two cities will combine their industrial strengths—Ulsan is home to Hyundai Motor, while Jeonnam-Gwangju is home to Kia Motors—to jointly develop the automotive industry of the future, including AI-based factories and autonomous driving technologies.

The two cities also agreed to cooperate in developing renewable energy, hydrogen and secondary battery industries to meet the power demand of the government's mega projects in both regions, including semiconductors and AI data centers. 
They also agreed to strengthen exchanges involving artistic performances, including signature works by municipal art troupes, as well as sporting events. In particular, since both cities have national gardens, they agreed to pursue tourism promotion programs linking the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo with Suncheonman National Garden.
Both sides expect the agreement to provide a foundation for securing a powerful innovation engine connecting universities with industrial sites, going beyond simple administrative exchanges.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook said, "While continuing to strengthen substantive cooperation with Jeonnam-Gwangju, we plan to keep identifying joint cooperation projects with other local governments, such as LNG projects with Incheon and hydrogen energy projects with Gyeonggi, and expand the super-regional nexus."
Meanwhile, before the signing ceremony, Mayor Kim visited May 18th National Cemetery and met Yi Geun-bae, president of Chonnam National University, to discuss cooperation plans related to AI AX.
[email protected] Choi Su-sang Reporter