Advanced technologies in the next-generation land and transport field, built through joint efforts by the private and public sectors, will be unveiled to the general public.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 17th that it will host the "2026 Land and Transport Technology Expo," where people can see and directly experience the core drivers of future national growth such as Autonomous Driving vehicles, space and aviation infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based city models, for three days starting on the 24th at COEX in Gangnam District, Seoul.
Marking its 15th year, the event will unfold under the slogan "Move for Tomorrow." It will introduce a combination of outstanding accumulated research outcomes and innovative technologies from the private sector, shaping a flagship domestic exhibition where the public can experience next-generation technologies.
A total of 81 institutions and corporations will take part in the event, which will be organized into five themed zones—mobility, smart construction, AI city, space and aviation, and innovative companies—and a special theme hall. Across 409 booths in all, the show will feature a wide array of innovations, including self-driving Autonomous Driving cars, on-site construction robots, eco-friendly energy basic homes, cutting-edge satellites and drones, as well as a large lineup of innovative products independently developed by 28 startups.
In particular, national R&D outcomes aimed at solving pressing social challenges will be displayed together, such as last-mile delivery robots that ease the burden on delivery workers and 3D scanning robots that precisely survey high-risk construction sites at risk of collapse. Visitors can intuitively grasp how science and technology are used in real life and how they help keep people safe.
This year's event will advance along four pillars: expanding hands-on exhibits; public empathy and participation; corporate growth and investment linkage; and strengthened technology exchange. To start, the number of dedicated exhibition spaces for leading global conglomerates representing Korea—including Hyundai Motor Group, Korean Air Lines, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)—was expanded to 33, more than double last year. A media art pavilion has also been newly established to vividly present the past, present, and future of land and transport.
It also further strengthens engagement with the public and support functions for corporations. Master classes in AI and robotics led by prominent science YouTubers and industry authorities will be held, alongside a variety of communication programs such as special classes for students and docent-led exhibition tours. On opening day, an awards ceremony will also be held for the earlier children's drawing contest and the AI video contest for the general public.
A practical business stage will also be set to help the growth of small and midsize enterprises and ventures and connect them with capital. Investor relations briefings and premium technology matching consultations will directly link early-stage startups with venture capital (VC) and other investment institutions. A regulatory sandbox briefing, designed to remove barriers to market entry for corporations, will be held concurrently. Innovative small firms are expected to seize opportunities to validate their technological prowess and accelerate commercialization by meeting both capital providers and project owners face to face.
Exchange and cooperation with the global stage will also be broadened. A bilateral cooperation meeting between Korea and Spain and a global R&D forum will be held to build a foundation of solidarity with overseas expert researchers and global corporations. In addition, sector-specific sessions will delve into the latest industry trends and research outcomes to further solidify an organic network among industry, academia, research institutes, and government ministries.
Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, "Technology is not complete when it stays in the lab; it is complete only when it changes people's lives," adding, "We will continue to build an innovation ecosystem in which excellent technologies move through research and development to enter the market, allowing the public to feel the change."
Kim added, "If CES in the United States is the stage for global innovative technologies, the Land and Transport Technology Expo is an event where you can take in at a glance the present of Korea's future land and transport technologies and the latest industrial trends," and "As a technology-leading ministry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) will continue to actively support the development and application of innovative technologies in future mobility, AI city, and space and aviation, without pause."