200 Billion Won Invested in 'K-Sensor' R&D... "Aiming to Become a Top 5 Power by 2030"

At the 14th Innovation Growth Big 3 Promotion Meeting
Discussion on 'Market-Leading Advanced Sensors and Strengthening K-Sensor Technology Development Plans'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has presented a blueprint to invest a total of 200 billion KRW in the K-Sensor research and development (R&D) project, aiming to become one of the top five sensor powerhouses by 2030.

On the 30th, Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, chaired the 14th Innovation Growth BIG3 Promotion Meeting at the Government Seoul Office, where he discussed the "Market-Leading Advanced Sensor, K-Sensor Technology Development Enhancement Plan" containing these details.

Deputy Prime Minister Hong said, "Advanced sensors that detect light, sound, and convert them into electrical signals are core components of future industries such as autonomous vehicles, bio, and mobile. Although the market size is large and rapidly growing, our market share is only 2%. Through the approximately 200 billion KRW K-Sensor R&D project (2022?2028), covering short-term commercialization technologies, next-generation sensor elements, and sensor foundational technologies, we will leap to become one of the top five sensor powerhouses by 2030."

Based on this, the government plans to support sensor prototype production using public infrastructure such as the Nano Convergence Technology Institute and actively support overseas expansion by establishing a dedicated K-Sensor global task force. First, to secure competitiveness in next-generation sensors for market competition, future leadership, and foundational technologies, the government will support early market entry of domestic companies through demand-linked short-term commercialization R&D in four major fields: mobile, automotive, bio, and public sectors (11 projects, 42.37 billion KRW). In particular, it plans to focus investment on R&D of sensor elements and modules capable of responding to short- and mid-term market competition, such as biosensors, radio wave sensors (radar, LiDAR), and temperature and humidity sensors.

To secure core technologies for next-generation sensor elements by predicting future demand and technological development directions in the post-COVID and digital new deal era, 66.5 billion KRW will be invested. This will provide a technological foundation to solve social issues such as disaster safety and environment and respond to sensor demands required in special environments like defense and aerospace. For securing sensor foundational technologies to respond to future industrial demand and convergence technology development, 38.8 billion KRW will be invested.

The government will also support prototype production and verification using existing semiconductor infrastructure. It will promote sensor prototype production support utilizing existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure such as the Nano Convergence Technology Institute (Daejeon), develop process technologies necessary for advanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, and provide technical support to MEMS sensor companies. Additionally, a 'K-Sensor Global Task Force' will be formed to support overseas expansion, providing marketing support, resolving difficulties in entering overseas markets, and offering consulting services.

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