Press Success of a2z startup and technology development... Behind it was Kyungil University
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작성자 Autonomous a2z 조회 2,423 작성일 2020-08-26본문
The process from the successful establishment of Autonomous a2z to the current stage where it settled was carried out only by one's own efforts. It is not too much to say that it was possible because Kyungil University was in charge of dynamics as an incubator and partner.
The cooperative relationship began in 2017 when Professor Yoo Byung-yong, the technical director, was appointed to Kyungil University. Kyungil University, which was conducting a university specialization project related to auto parts, was contemplating new items suitable for the 4th industrial revolution, and focused on autonomous driving technology.
The timing and appointment of Professor Yoo, who had accumulated related research results at Hyundai Motor, matched.
In 2018, Kyungil University restructured about half of the businesses operated by the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, laid the foundation for full support and established the 'Autonomous Driving Vehicle Convergence Technology Research Center'. After that, CEO Han Ji-hyeong and Chief Technology Officer Oh Young-cheol were appointed as professors focusing on industry-university cooperation. In August of the same year, it was an opportunity to lay the foundation for a2z to start a business.
The support of
Kyungil University was provided in all directions. By providing research funds
through industry-university cooperation projects, it alleviated the financial
difficulties in the early stages of startups. In addition to providing office
space and workshops necessary for vehicle manufacturing and maintenance almost
free of charge, it also purchased and supported the vehicles and sensors
required for test production of autonomous vehicles. The 1.4km-long campus road
was used as a test bed for test autonomous driving.
It took less than a year for tangible support results to appear. The 25-seater self-driving bus produced at the research institute was the first university in the country to obtain a bus autonomous driving license. Autonomous driving licenses based on micro electric vehicles were also obtained for the fifth time after Seoul National University, Hanyang University, KAIST and Yonsei University. In particular, Kyungil University is the only university research institute that has both bus and passenger autonomous driving licenses.
The growth of the company also led to employment. Since its establishment, a2z has been steadily hiring 3-4 employees from Kyungil University every year. We are recruiting excellent manpower from among students who have gained internship experience through the on-the-job training system. a2z official explained that the employees from Kyungil University who went through the Department of Mechanical and Automobile have a wide understanding of not only autonomous driving technology but also related industrial mechanisms such as driving and production of cars, so their abilities are recognized in practice.
Han Ji-hyeong, CEO of a2z, said, "After founding, start-up companies with insufficient capital are often swayed by investors who received initial investment, changing their business direction or closing their company. It was possible because it was not an organization,” he said.
Professor Kim Hyun-woo, head of Kyungil University's Smart Innovation Division, said, "The growth of autonomous business has been a great help in establishing the future vision and identity of the university along with industrial education in the local community. I am proud of it,” he said.