NST launches drone and defense technology commercialization drive with Alux

Drone and defense technologies held by government-funded research institutes are being matched with the technology needs of private companies.

The National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST) held the fourth Strategic Technology Exchange Forum of 2026 with Alux on Wednesday.

The forum, known as Bridge & Deepdive X (BDX), is a strategy-based, problem-solving technology cooperation platform that identifies the business models and phased technology needs of leading private companies and connects them with the technologies and research capabilities of government-funded research institutes.

Unlike conventional open-format technology exchange events that operate broadly across a wide range of companies, BDX runs on a small-scale, intensive format centered on the specific technology needs of key market-leading firms.

This session was organized to link Alux's technology needs with research outcomes from government-funded institutes. Alux has been expanding its AI-based autonomous flight technology and next-generation drone core technologies — along with its manufacturing and mass production capabilities — into the public and defense sectors.

Participants discussed cooperation prospects and commercialization strategies in key drone technology areas, including autonomous flight, drone operation solutions, lightweight composite materials, high-strength hybrid materials and component development, and recycled-material-based carbon composites.

Cha Ji-hun, head of the Autonomous Flight Research Laboratory at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), presented autonomous flight drone and counter-drone technologies. Jeong Yong-chae, head of the RAMP Convergence Research Division at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), introduced lightweight composite material manufacturing technology for urban air mobility based on high-performance carbon fiber.

Kim Young-min, a center director at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), presented a high-strength multifunctional hybrid materials and component platform technology. Choi Du-young, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), introduced a manufacturing technology for recycled-material carbon composites with improved strength, along with a hybrid adhesion and fastening platform.

Alux said it plans to continue working with government-funded research institutes by linking its drone manufacturing and mass production capabilities and on-site technology needs with their research outcomes, aiming to advance core technologies, localize components and expand applications in the public and defense sectors.

The research institutes expect the forum to lead to follow-on commercialization activities — including technology transfers, joint research and development, and proof-of-concept projects — after validating the real-world applicability of their technologies.

NST said it will pursue customized technology matching that reflects Alux's development strategy and commercialization direction, exploring options through a two-track approach centered on both researchers and companies.

"Given that the government has recently designated drones and robots as key new-security strategic sectors, this BDX is a meaningful example showing that government-funded research institute technologies can contribute to strengthening competitiveness in the new-security field," NST President Kim Young-sik said. "We will actively support the creation of research outcomes that citizens can tangibly feel — such as drone localization and self-reliance — and the acceleration of commercialization."