Changwon National University, Hadong-gun sign AI and robotics MOU to develop care and smart-farm technology

Changwon National University and Hadong-gun have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in Human Physical AI and robotics, with plans to develop region-specific technologies including care robots and smart-farm systems.

The two institutions signed the "Human Physical AI-Based Regional Innovation and Joint Cooperation MOU" at the university's main building on Thursday. University President Park Min-won, Hadong-gun chief Kim Hyeon-su, National Assembly member Seo Cheon-ho and Hadong-gun Council Speaker Kang Hui-sun attended the signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will cooperate across six areas: education and research in Human Physical AI and robotics; joint project development linking national strategic industries and regionally specialized industries; joint pursuit of government fiscal support programs and national R&D grants; industry-academia cooperation, corporate attraction and technology commercialization; building an AI-based demonstration and regional innovation platform; and developing specialized talent while sharing education and research infrastructure.

Given Hadong-gun's rural character, the partners are particularly focused on care robots and smart-farm systems as priority areas, along with other advanced technologies linked to agriculture.

A Changwon National University official said the MOU establishes a broad direction for the partnership. "Going forward, we plan to form a working-level consultative body and a joint task force to sharpen the specifics of each project, and to jointly respond to government fiscal support programs and national R&D grant competitions," the official said.

The scale of specific projects and whether to establish new hub facilities such as a demonstration center will be determined in stages, depending on the outcome of working-level consultations and the securing of national funding.

"Our cooperation with Hadong-gun is a meaningful opportunity to combine the university's advanced Human Physical AI and robotics research capabilities with the region's industrial infrastructure," President Park said. "We will build an outstanding model of mutually beneficial development among local government, industry and academia through region-tailored technology demonstration and the cultivation of future talent."

Hadong-gun chief Kim said the county would use the partnership to strengthen its position in future strategic industries. "We will consolidate a regional innovation platform based on our close partnership with Changwon National University, and actively pool the infrastructure and capabilities of both institutions to further enhance Hadong-gun's regional competitiveness," Kim said.