On the 28th, after a 30-minute bus ride from the Government Sejong Complex, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH) proving ground in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan, came into view. A green military vehicle with the driver's and rear doors and even the roof removed stood out. Next to it was a hydrogen refueling truck. Opening the vehicle's cargo gate revealed a complex structure of densely arranged pipes and pressure gauges. All are hydrogen-based light tactical vehicles and mobile hydrogen refueling tactical vehicles developed by KATECH with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Seong Chang-hyeon, principal researcher at the Hydrogen Storage and Charging Research Center, said, "The hydrogen vehicle can be transported by helicopter, and the refueling truck can be transported by airplane," noting, "Its high mobility and near-silent operation make detection difficult, which is an advantage."
A test ride made the researcher's confidence understandable. The hydrogen military vehicle set off smoothly without noise, and the moment the pedal was lightly pressed, it leapt forward with quick acceleration. With a Nexo hydrogen system, a Mohave chassis, and an EV6 vehicle control system, the ride quality exceeded that of ordinary passenger cars. Although the structure omitted doors in consideration of mission execution, the installation of a roll bar enabled stable boarding.
◇ KATECH expands beyond cars to drones, ships, and the Metaverse
As the pace of Autonomous Driving, electrification, hydrogen, and other Mobility Innovation accelerates, KATECH's development scope is expanding to defense and ships. Founded in 1990, KATECH is Korea's leading automotive research institute, carrying out everything from core automotive technology development to parts certification and policy support.
KATECH was formerly the Korea Automotive Parts Research Institute, but it adopted its current name as its research scope grew to encompass software beyond hardware. KATECH is currently conducting joint research with about 130 domestic finished car and parts companies. It also provides a research environment based on graphics processing units (GPUs) needed for artificial intelligence (AI) development. At KATECH's Carbon Neutral Mobility Center, it is also possible to demonstrate infrastructure for ▲ automobiles ▲ ships ▲ electric vehicles ▲ the Metaverse.
In the research building, different future technologies were being developed simultaneously, from Hydrogen Fuel Cells to AI motion control and space exploration robots. At the Battery System Research Center, Hydrogen Fuel Cells that can be applied to various mobility platforms such as submarines, drones, excavators, and ships were on display, and more than 30 laboratories were set up to test them.
Going downstairs opened up a new realm. There were devices for testing batteries in high- and low-temperature environments, a laboratory that implements the illuminance of the national flag to test Autonomous Driving recognition, and even a space to measure the frequency characteristics of electric vehicles. It is automotive technology, but ultimately an infrastructure that can be expanded to various forms of mobility.
Kim Deok-jin, head of the Power Control Division, said, "Autonomous Driving technology is expanding its application areas to robots, unmanned equipment, and security patrols," adding, "Electric vehicle and hydrogen vehicle technologies are becoming the driving force that grows the entire mobility industry."
◇ Autonomous Driving blocked by regulation… localizing materials, parts, and equipment remains a task
But Korea still has a long way to go in terms of global competitiveness. Autonomous Driving technology is led by U.S. company Tesla, and Google's Waymo operates robotaxis for citizens in Arizona, Phoenix, and California. China is rapidly advancing its technology, backed by a vast domestic market and regulatory easing.
In Korea, data use is heavily constrained by regulations on personal information and video information. There is criticism that companies face difficulties because a strict temporary operation permit is essential even for public-road demonstrations.
Jin Jong-uk, president of the Automotive Research Institute, said, "I do not think our electric vehicle and Autonomous Driving vehicle technologies lag as much as the public or media fear," adding, "In our country, investment in Autonomous Driving vehicle corporations is limited, making it hard for corporations to grow, and various regulation-related problems persist, posing difficulties."
Localization rates are also a challenge. For electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and Autonomous Driving vehicles alike, the parts localization rate is far below that of internal combustion vehicles. Park Kyung-hoon, senior researcher studying Hydrogen Fuel Cells, said, "Hydrogen vehicles have fallen somewhat behind Japan in terms of technology," adding, "We need to accelerate the localization of core materials, parts, and equipment so competitiveness in hydrogen vehicles can rise together."