Automotive

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  Hyundai Motor works with Kakao mobility to commercialize autonomous mobility services SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group tied up with the mobility service wing of South Korean web service giant Kakao to demonstrate and commercialize autonomous mobility services, starting with a taxi-hailing service using Hyundai's autonomous vehicle called "Roboride" which is based on IONIQ 5 electric vehicle models. For self-driving that requires intervention by human drivers only in case of an emergency, the Roboride vehicle perceives, makes decisions, an 2022-09-19
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  Hyundai auto group unveils test buck for airport pickup PBV concept based on electric vehicle platform SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has unveiled a test buck for its airport pickup purpose built vehicle (PBV) concept based on an electric vehicle platform that can carry up to five people and their carriers. It has a door system that maximizes the opening width so that wheelchairs can quickly enter and exit. PBVs are a ground-based eco-friendly mobility solution that provides customized spaces and services for passengers in transit. "User experience (UX) means ev 2022-09-19
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  Seoul Semiconductor applies UV-C LED sterilization to Hyundai's G90 sedan SEOUL -- Seoul Semiconductor, a developer of light-emitting diodes in South Korea, has applied its ultraviolet-C (UV-C) LED sterilization technology to Hyundai Motor's new Genesis luxury flagship sedan G90. UV-C, also called Deep UV, emits ultraviolet light with short wavelengths. UV-C radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water and surfaces that can help mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection. GV90's backseat armrest storage box was installed with a UV-C LED ster 2022-09-15
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  Iljin Materials develops new Elecfoil copper foil with high tensile strength and elongation SEOUL -- Iljin Materials, the producer of core materials for lithium batteries in South Korea, has developed a new copper foil with characteristics of high tensile strength and elongation that can dramatically improve the mileage, power, and stability of electric vehicles. The company has expanded its warranty period from five months to one year by upgrading its technology to prevent oxidation. Iljin said the tensile strength of its ISS-T9 ISS-T9 Elecfoil, a thin copper foil used as 2022-09-15
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  SK Telecom consortium aims to launch UAM pilot service in Jeju in 2025 SEOUL -- A consortium involving SK Telecom and Hanwha Systems aims to launch a pilot service for urban air mobility in 2025 on South Korea's main resort island of Jeju by linking its airport and tourist attractions. As a leading tourist destination, the island was seen as an ideal test bed for air taxis due to its good airport facilities and well-maintained traffic infrastructure. Urban air mobility (UAM) is an ecosystem involving flying passenger vehicles in urban areas. SK Tel 2022-09-14
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  Jeongseok Chemical ready for commercial production of high-purity lithium sulfide for solid-state batteries SEOUL -- Jeongseok Chemical, a provider of various line marking paint products in South Korea, has localized the production of high-purity lithium sulfide (Li2S), which is used as a core material for solid-state batteries. A plant capable of producing 24 tons of lithium sulfide per year will be put into commercial operation in September. Jeongseok is to hold a ceremony on September 15 to complete a lithium sulfide production facility in Wanju, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) south 2022-09-13
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  Hyundai auto group bolsters strategic alliance with KT to develop future mobility technologies SEOUL -- Through a swap of shares worth about 750 billion won ($542 million), South Korea's Hyundai auto group bolstered its strategic alliance with KT, a top domestic telecom company, to develop future mobility technologies such as 6G autonomous driving and a satellite-based communication network for advanced air mobility. Urban air mobility (UAM) is an ecosystem involving flying passenger vehicles in urban areas. Advanced air mobility (AAM) builds upon the UAM concept by inco 2022-09-08
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  Chile's SQM to receive Korea Eximbank's $100 million fund for stable lithium supply to S. Korean firms SEOUL -- Korea Eximbank, an official export credit agency in South Korea, will provide a fund of $100 million to SQM, a Chilean supplier of plant nutrients, iodine, lithium and industrial chemicals, to help ensure a stable supply of lithium for domestic battery and cathode material makers. The fund including $55 million in loans and $45 million in guarantees will be used to invest in SQM's development of lithium mines in Australia and the renovation and expansion of production 2022-09-07
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  EcoPro to receive lithium hydroxide for lithium-ion battery cathode material from Germany's AMG SEOUL -- In a bid to secure a stable supply of crucial raw materials, EcoPro BM, a leading producer of core materials for batteries in South Korea, will receive some 5,000 tons of lithium hydroxide, an inorganic compound used for the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, annually from AMG Lithium, a Frankfurt-based producer of lithium-containing materials. Lithium hydroxide is preferred over lithium carbonate because lithium hydroxide battery cathodes have more 2022-09-07
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  Lotte Chemical completes pilot plant to produce tanks for fuel cell electric vehicles SEOUL -- Lotte Chemical, a major chemical company based in South Korea, has completed a pilot plant for the production of hydrogen tanks for fuel cell electric vehicles. It is designed to produce up to 15,000 50-liter hydrogen tanks annually. Lotte Chemical said it would develop various capacity hydrogen tanks and apply them to commercial vehicles and drones. "Hydrogen tank technology plays an important role in storing and utilizing hydrogen with the growth of hydrogen mobili 2022-09-07
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  SK ecoplant becomes largest shareholder of U.S. waste battery recycling company Ascend Elements SEOUL -- SK ecoplant, an environmental and energy solution provider affiliated with South Korea's SK Group, has strengthened its presence in the recycling of discarded electrical or electronic devices such as waste electric vehicle batteries by becoming the largest shareholder of Ascend Elements, an innovative U.S. waste battery recycling company. SK ecoplant said it has signed a stock purchase agreement of $50 million with Ascend Elements, which has efficient technologies to 2022-09-01
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  LG Innotek talks with Tesla on potential deal to supply camera modules SEOUL -- LG Innotek, the electrical component wing of South Korea's LG Group, is talking with Tesla on a potential deal to supply camera modules for electric vehicles. Details were not given, but the module maker has been registered as a supplier of parts for Tesla vehicles. In a regulatory filing on August 25 to respond to a new report that Tesla would receive LG Innotek's camera modules worth one trillion won ($751 million), the South Korean company said that discussion 2022-08-26
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  POSCO Chemical clinches $804 million supply deal for ESS cathode material SEOUL -- POSCO Chemical, a unit of South Korea's top steel group POSCO, has clinched an $804 million deal to provide cathode materials for an energy storage system probably to a domestic client. Energy storage systems (ESSs) are normally used to store energy generated by renewable energy sources and redistribute electricity when green energy sources are not active. The deal reflects POSCO Chemical's aggressive strategy to build a mass-production base abroad and become a glo 2022-08-25
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  Hyundai in-house venture's robot used for pilot last mile delivery service from CU convenience store SEOUL -- An autonomous robot created by Mobinn, an in-house venture of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, will be deployed for a pilot last-mile delivery service from a convenience store to the doorstep of customers. The goal is to check the driving performance of delivery robots and their ability to overcome obstacles in urban environments. BGF Retail, the operator of South Korea's largest convenience store chain CU, tied up with Mobinn and NICE Information & Telecomm 2022-08-25
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  Researchers use redox-active interlayer strategy to develop high-energy lithium-sulfur batteries SEOUL -- Lithium-sulfur batteries have higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, but it was not easy to commercialize them as their life and safety degrade. When lithium and sulfur meet during charging and discharging, it becomes lithium sulfide, also known as lithium polysulfide. Due to the high solubility, lithium polysulfide can be lost during repeated charging and discharging. A conventional strategy to mitigate such problems is to immobilize lithium polysulfide (LiPSs 2022-08-24
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  Hanwha Aerospace secures $165 million contract to supply electromechanical actuators for Vertical's eVTOL vehicle SEOUL -- Hanwha Aerospace, an aircraft parts maker affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, has secured a 10-year contract worth about $165 million from Britain's electric aviation company Vertical Aerospace to supply high-performance electromechanical actuators for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. An electromechanical actuator that converts electricity to mechanical force is a core component for personal air vehicles. Vertical's eVTOL model, 2022-08-23
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  Hyundai Mobis develops technology to sterilize and purify car room air SEOUL -- In response to a new trend that emphasizes hygiene due to a COVID-19 pandemic, Hyundai Mobis, the parts-making unit of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, has developed a technology to sterilize and purify internal air instead of filtering pollutants through car air conditioner filters or using a separate air purifier indoors. Hyundai Mobis has developed a built-in air sterilization system using ultraviolet (UV) rays with the aim of removing floating bacteria from mecha 2022-08-16
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  SK Telecom works with state agency to establish 5G UAM communication network SEOUL -- SK Telecom, a mobile carrier in South Korea, will establish an aerial 5G communication network for the demonstration of urban air mobility, an ecosystem covering personal air vehicles and infrastructure, in cooperation with a state aeronautics and space agency in a flight test center in the southern seaside county of Goheung. As a member of UAM Team Korea, a public-private consultative body, to commercialize manned drone taxis in 2025, remote-controlled vehicles in 2030 2022-08-04
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  [FOCUS] Premature concerns grow over low-cost offensive by Chinese electric vehicles SEOUL -- There has been no change in the public perception of cheap Chinese products that have largely failed to satisfy picky South Korean consumers so far. However, premature concerns are growing in the domestic car industry that Chinese electric vehicles may make quick inroads by pouring out various models and with their low-cost offensive based on the economy of scale achieved on their home turf. Experts recommend a major overhaul of subsidies to prevent Chinese and other import 2022-08-04
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  SK nexilis acquires technology to produce ultra-high strength copper foil SEOUL -- SK nexilis, a subsidiary of SKC, a chemical material unit of South Korea's SK Group, has acquired technology to produce an ultra-high strength copper foil product for electric vehicle batteries. The new product can withstand more than twice the pulling force compared to existing standard products. Battery foils made of aluminum and copper are used as anodes and cathodes for secondary batteries. Foils work as the bridge between external components and internal lithium- 2022-08-02