'Ocean Oil Spills Eaten by Robots'... Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Ministry of Trade, Industry Approve 11 Sandbox Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] It has become possible for unmanned robots to clean up small-scale oil spill accidents occurring along the coast.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox Support Center and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 22nd that they held the 'Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox Deliberation Committee' in writing and approved 11 cases including ▲personal vehicle advertising brokerage platform ▲shared hair salons.

◆Unmanned Robot 'Sheco Ark' That Reduces Cleanup Costs by 20% in Small-Scale Marine Pollution Accidents

Marine Oil Spill Cleanup Robot Sheko Arc

First, it has become possible to conduct small-scale marine pollution control at factories near the coast using the unmanned robot 'Sheco Ark' developed by Sheco.

According to the existing Marine Environment Management Act, marine pollution control businesses must be equipped with equipment such as separate oil recovery devices and high-pressure washers on oil tankers of 20 tons or more and one pollution control ship of 100 tons or more, so it was unclear whether marine pollution control using robots was possible.

Among the approximately 250 marine pollution accidents occurring annually in Korea, 92% are small-scale spills of less than 1000 liters, but it has been difficult to respond quickly with large equipment, so personnel have been deployed to recover oil using absorbent pads.

On the other hand, by utilizing Sheco Ark, it is expected that oil left after recovery by large vessels in large-scale accidents or oil in small-scale accidents can be recovered in a timely manner. The robot equipped with small oil recovery equipment absorbs seawater and oil, immediately discharges seawater, separates and stores only the remaining oil, and then transports and processes it on land.

Kwon Ki-seong, CEO of Sheco, said, "It is a completely 'Made in Korea' product created by university startup club members from development to commercialization," adding, "It can reduce cleanup time by nearly half, and since there are no costs for absorbent pads and labor, cleanup costs can be reduced by up to 20%."

◆Commercial Ads Can Be Seen Even on Personal Vehicles... "Converting Traffic Congestion into Economic Added Value"

Personal Vehicle Commercial Advertising Matching Platform Service 'Cashfulus'

In addition, the 'personal vehicle advertising brokerage platform (Cashfulus),' which utilizes privately owned vehicles as moving billboards, also received sandbox approval.

When an advertiser places an order, private car owners attach commercial advertisements to both sides and the rear of the vehicle, excluding the windows, and receive a certain commission from the advertiser. Under the current Outdoor Advertising Act, attaching advertisements of others to privately owned cars is prohibited. Only public transportation such as buses and taxis are allowed, and only the sides of vehicles were permitted.

The Special Regulatory Sandbox Committee allowed the demonstration exception, stating, "It is expected to convert part of the social cost of traffic congestion into economic added value while generating profits for both advertisers and vehicle owners." However, due to concerns about traffic safety and urban aesthetics, only 3,000 vehicles per month will be initially permitted, and depending on the demonstration results, the number will be increased to a maximum of 10,000 vehicles three months after the demonstration.

◆Fast-Track Applied to Similar and Identical Projects... Additional Approval for Shared Hair Salon Platform Following June and August

Shared hair salon platform companies (including Hair Palace and 8 others) also received additional approval. Four businesses had previously received sandbox approval in June and August. The committee applied 'Fast-Track' deliberation for similar and identical projects to make the decision.

A shared hair salon is a platform where multiple hairdressers reside within one salon business location and share facilities such as shampoo rooms and perm machines. Hairdressers can start a business by paying only a fixed membership fee without separate costs such as key money or interior expenses. The platform operator supports commercialization by providing space, facilities, hairdressing materials, and marketing to hairdressers.

Under the current Public Hygiene Management Act (Enforcement Rule Article 2), only one business operator could use one hair salon. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the competent authority, plans to fully permit shared hair salons by revising related regulations in the second half of next year if no particular issues arise during the demonstration project.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Sandbox Deliberation Committee approved seven other cases including ▲wireless updates for automobile electronic control devices ▲business utilizing used batteries from electric vehicles, in addition to the 11 cases mentioned above.

Woo Tae-hee, Executive Vice Chairman, said, "Since its launch in May, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported the market launch of 51 innovative products and new technologies through the sandbox," adding, "We will continue to open the door of opportunity to more innovative businesses through one-on-one close support and customized legal and business consulting."

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox Support Center is the first private sandbox organization in Korea. It supports all industrial sectors including ICT convergence, industrial convergence, and financial innovation sandboxes. Companies can receive consulting through the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sandbox website free of charge.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.