Ajou University’s DNA-Plus Convergence Department at the graduate school has signed a research cooperation agreement with Kakao Mobility to jointly train talent in advanced mobility and conduct collaborative research. The deal formalizes closer cooperation between the two institutions to drive mutual growth, create industry value and develop the specialists needed to lead the mobility sector’s transformation.
Kakao Mobility, which aims to be a "physical AI–based future mobility company," has been investing in autonomous driving and robotics while recruiting specialized talent. The partnership will combine Kakao Mobility’s extensive field data with Ajou’s academic research capabilities to give future mobility professionals a hands-on research environment and to accelerate industry innovation.
The partners will leverage Kakao Mobility’s data to develop advanced mobility services and public-interest research, and will strengthen industry-academia collaboration to cultivate skilled professionals. They also intend to share research infrastructure and actively disseminate results through both internal and external channels.
Kakao Mobility will supply its large mobility dataset and make shared, analytics-ready research infrastructure available to Ajou researchers. The company plans to hold one to two joint workshops annually and coauthor papers for major conferences to broaden the impact of the research.
Students will be encouraged to take internships at Kakao Mobility, while the two sides will collaborate to identify research needs and to provide data for field-focused studies, enhancing the practical value of the partnership.
Moon Hee-jin, head of technology at Kakao Mobility, said, "As mobility reaches an inflection point toward physical AI, we expect strong synergy from combining Ajou University’s top talent with our AI and data capabilities. We will work together to help Korean mobility professionals compete globally and to build a virtuous cycle where academia and industry grow together."
Yoo Jeong-hoon, chair of Ajou University’s DNA-Plus Convergence Department, said, "This agreement formalizes our existing collaboration and allows us to produce concrete research outcomes using world-class mobility data and infrastructure. Through a close partnership with Kakao Mobility, we will focus on training the core talent that will lead the future mobility industry."
Meanwhile, Ajou University’s DNA-Plus Convergence Department is developing future road-transportation experts with skills in data, networks and artificial intelligence through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s "DNA+ Road Traffic Convergence Technology Graduate Program."
