news highlight

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  Hyundai Motor Group unveils autonomous robot for high-risk firefighting SEOUL, March 03 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group released a video showcasing a new autonomous firefighting robot designed to penetrate high-risk disaster zones where human entry is restricted. The "physical AI" solution revealed Tuesday targets environments with collapsing structures, toxic gas, or extreme heat to secure the "golden time" for fire suppression. Developed with the National Fire Agency, the robot features an advanced 6X6 in-wheel motor system that all March 3, 2026
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  South Korea conditionally approves Google's long-awaited request for map data SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Global tech giant Google is now allowed to use official South Korean map data for its app services, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Friday. According to the ministry, it decided to approve Google's long-awaited request to use precision map data for its services like Google Maps and Google Earth, following a meeting with officials from other relevant ministries, provided that Google "strictly comply with security guidel February 27, 2026
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  The birth of humanoid robots (4): A Christmas Carol for steel and silicon Editor's Note: This is the fourth and final installment in AJP's series on humanoid robotics, examining the anatomy, technologies and economic logic behind one of the most hyped industries of the decade. SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - A line of humanoid robots flips in unison. They lunge, pivot, brandish swords beside children in a synchronized kung fu routine. In the next sequence, they stagger theatrically, swaying through a stylized "drunken boxing" set — coll February 27, 2026
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  KAIST launches deep tech scale-up valley to drive physical AI implementation SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea announced on February 27 that it held a performance report meeting for the Deep Tech Scale-up Valley project at its main campus in Daejeon. During the event, the university unveiled its implementation strategy for Physical AI, focusing on moving robot technology out of the laboratory and into actual industrial settings. The Deep Tech Scale-up Valley is a joint initiative between South February 27, 2026
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  Kookmin University research team has two papers accepted for CVPR 2026 SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - A research team led by Professor Lee Seong-won of the Department of Electronics Engineering at Kookmin University has had two papers accepted for the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition 2026. The IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) is regarded as a premier international academic event in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer vision. Known for its rigorous review process and low acc February 27, 2026
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  South Korean researchers use natural sounds to boost brain health SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - A research team at Kookmin University has developed a new method to deliver cognitive health benefits through everyday sounds by blending therapeutic frequencies with natural environmental recordings. The study focuses on making 40Hz auditory stimulation, which is known to help prevent Alzheimer's disease, more comfortable for long-term listening by integrating it into local South Korean soundscapes. Professor Namkung Ki-chan and his team at the Kook February 26, 2026
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  South Korean researchers use AI to design high-efficiency catalysts for hydrogen vehicles SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - A research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Seoul National University has developed a technology that uses artificial intelligence to precisely predict the arrangement of atoms in catalysts. By calculating atomic tendencies before conducting experiments, the researchers identified a way to improve both the performance and durability of the fuel cells that power hydrogen vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cells are often described February 26, 2026
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  Kookmin University researchers develop real-time capture and analysis technique for aquatic microplastics SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - A research team led by Professor Kim Hyung-min at Kookmin University has developed an innovative technology capable of capturing and analyzing micro- and nano-sized plastics in water in real time. The breakthrough addresses a major technical challenge in environmental science by allowing for the continuous monitoring of tiny plastic particles that are otherwise difficult to isolate from their surroundings. Microplastics, defined as particles smaller than February 24, 2026
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  S. Korean researchers develop protective layer to enable fast charging for lithium batteries SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University has developed a technology to overcome stability issues that have hindered the commercialization of lithium metal batteries. The team created an intelligent protective layer that allows for rapid charging within 12 minutes while preventing the internal damage that typically shortens battery life. Lithium metal batteries are considered the next generatio February 24, 2026