Seoul: The recently launched government-led alliance of businesses and organizations working for AI transformation (AX) of manufacturing industries will work together with Seoul National University (SNU) to develop new AI models specifically designed for various industrial sectors, including humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, and smart factories, the industry ministry said Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Manufacturing AX (M.AX) Alliance has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SNU for cooperation in developing such models, which in turn would help secure new growth engines for the local economy, as stated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

The alliance, which commenced in September, comprises around 1,000 major companies and research institutes, including tech giant Samsung Electronics Co., auto giant Hyundai Motor Group, home appliances maker LG Electronics Inc., and robotics firm Rainbow Robotics.

The alliance aims to generate more than 100 trillion won (US$67.9 billion) in added value by 2030 through AI transformation of key manufacturing industries, with a detailed target of entering mass production of humanoid robots in 2029 and self-driving cars in 2030.

Under the MOU, the alliance will collaborate with research teams at SNU to develop AI foundation models for humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles by 2028, and an AI model for smart factories by 2029, the ministry said.

The two sides will also cooperate to leverage the manufacturing data compiled during their joint projects for future development of other AI models, while joining hands to foster the workforce for the fields of manufacturing and AI, it added.