Joined by major companies like LGD·SamsungD
Supported by academia·research, such as with Hongik University·ETRI
Woosung Baek, the CEO of Selcos, appointed as chairman
‘Forming the Ecosystem’ disc
The industry, academia, and research joined hands to secure ‘super gap’ technology for XR displays. As China recently revealed their astronomical investment plans to foster XR, there was a consensus that Korea desperately needs to expand investment and support as well. In the morning of the 14th, the Korea Display Industry Association launched the ‘consultative body for the XR display industry’, composed of members of the industry, academia, and research.
Major companies like LG Display, Samsung Display, Jusung Engineering, Dongjin Semichem, VAD Instrument, and Selcos joined the consultative body. Academia and research, with institutions like Hongik University and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, also lent their support. Woosung Baek, the CEO of Selcos, which produces XR devices and displays, was chosen as the chairman of the consultative body.
The consultative body for the XR display industry will play a central role for Korean materials, components, and equipment companies related to XR. 18 material, component, equipment, display, optical, and system companies joined, and it appears that more companies will join soon as well.
The consultative body will focus on forming an ecosystem that connects XR material, component, and equipment companies with the demands of set companies. They plan to host a discussion once every quarter, and discuss measures to secure material, component, equipment technology and measures to create a Korean base. They will hold private and public discussions to discuss business strategies by target and build an infrastructure to create prototypes.
The association also revealed their results of investigating the state of the Korean XR market for 2 months between May and June of this year. The main point was that the Korean ecosystem, with things like optical materials, parts, and modules in the XR field, is significantly insufficient. Moving forward, the consultative body will discover XR display material, component, and equipment companies and continue to investigate the state of affairs. They also plan to put in effort in creating networks with global partner companies to create new business opportunities.
Last month, China announced their ‘VR Industry Development Action Plan’ which outlined their goals to foster 100 companies possessing key technology by 2026. Their plan is to produce 25 million units of XR devices and create an XR ecosystem in 10 fields, including cultural tourism and educational training.
Dongwook Lee, the vice-chairman of the Korea Display Industry Association, said that, “There was a need to launch a consultative body for the XR display industry to lead the future potential market of the XR industry,” and said that, “We expect the consultative body to play a center role in the Korean XR industry and create new business.”
By Staff Reporter Sora Park (srpark@etnews.com)