Chungju City’s landmark ‘Geomdan Bridge’, a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Dalcheon River, broke ground for the first time. On the 29th, Chungju City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the road connection project between Chungcheong Inland Expressway, which crosses Dalcheon and enters Chungju Station, and Chungju Station (Geomdan Bridge).
The Chungcheong Inland Expressway ~ Chungju Station connection road construction will extend from Changdong-ri, Jungangtap-myeon, across the Dalcheon River to Habang Village in Bongbang-dong, 2.62km long, 20m wide, 4 lanes, and will be completed in 2028 with a total project cost of KRW 115 billion.
Geomdan Bridge, which crosses Dalcheon, is a technical proposal with a length of 762 m, a width of 22 m, and a tower height of 65 m. A special cable-stayed bridge type bridge was applied considering the symbolism and differentiation of its role as a gateway suitable for a lakeside city.
Currently, Konkuk University Intersection and Chilgeum Intersection in Dalcheon-dong are areas that are regularly congested during commuting, so it was urgent to open a road to improve accessibility to the city center, so the route was discussed and confirmed to connect directly to the city by connecting to the Chungcheong Inland Expressway.
This groundbreaking ceremony began with a performance at the groundbreaking ceremony, followed by a progress report, congratulatory remarks from guests, and a seeding ceremony. About 400 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Chungju Mayor Cho Gil-hyung, National Assembly member Lee Jong-bae, key figures, construction officials, and local residents.
Mayor Cho Gil-hyung said, “Once the connecting road between the Chungcheong Inland Expressway and Chungju Station is opened, traffic congestion will be improved due to the short-distance connecting route of the Chungcheong Inland Expressway.”
Meanwhile, Chungcheongbuk-do and Chungju City announced on the 28th that they signed a business agreement based on the selection of the 2024 “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Leading Project Project” contest hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy).
This agreement was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with about 300 people in attendance, including the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, metropolitan and local governments, research institutes, and companies.
The event began with a welcome speech by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, followed by congratulatory remarks by key personnel, an agreement ceremony between institutions, an announcement of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s plan to expand AI autonomous manufacturing, and an announcement of plans to foster local industries in connection with AI autonomous manufacturing in each region.
This project is jointly promoted by Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungju, and Cheongju City, and aims to develop and spread the introduction and introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) autonomous manufacturing standard technology applied to the manufacturing process. A total project cost of KRW 6.35 billion, including KRW 5 billion from the national budget, will be invested until 2027. It will be conducted for manufacturing companies in Chungju and Cheongju.
AI autonomous manufacturing technology is a technology where AI learns massive amounts of data collected from the manufacturing process and then identifies problems that may occur in each process in advance to help managers make decisions.
The development of AI standard technology will be promoted with the participation of △DL Information Technology, △ETRI, and △Misso Information Development by investing 5 billion won in national funds, using ‘EcoPro’, a secondary battery company located in Ochang, Cheongju, as the demonstration target.
In addition, the widespread introduction of the developed standard technology to manufacturing companies will be carried out targeting manufacturing companies located in Chungju and Cheongju by investing 1.35 billion won in local funds.
The main support contents include △technology introduction consulting, △data analysis platform construction, and △AI solution demonstration, etc., and 12 companies will be selected and supported through a public contest hosted by Chungbuk Techno Park.
In particular, the city plans to support the introduction of separate customized AI technology by conducting consulting to reflect the process-specific difficulties of manufacturing companies in the city as well as the introduction of AI standard technology scheduled to be developed.
A city official said, “With the advancement of processes in the manufacturing field and the shortage of professional manpower, AI technology is becoming an essential factor in determining corporate competitiveness,” adding, “On-site optimization AI technology through review of factors in each field such as product production, quality control, and facility maintenance.” “We will pursue the introduction by reflecting the opinions of companies as much as possible,” he said.
Since the announcement of the “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Strategy” last May, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to rapidly expand the use of AI throughout the manufacturing industry by promoting AI autonomous manufacturing leading projects to more than 200 projects by 2027, starting with 25 projects this year.
Economy Queen Choi Hana Reporter Photo Chungju City
Interview Between Time.news Editor and AI Manufacturing Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Min-jun Lee, an expert in AI autonomous manufacturing technologies. Dr. Lee, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Min-jun Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Recently, Chungju City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Geomdan Bridge, which is part of a major infrastructure project aimed at improving transportation and accessibility in the region. How do you see such infrastructure developments affecting the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly AI?
Dr. Lee: That’s an excellent question! Infrastructure like the Geomdan Bridge not only facilitates better transportation but also enhances connectivity for industries. With improved logistical frameworks, manufacturing companies can more effectively deploy AI technologies. For instance, they can streamline operations and reduce delays in the supply chain, directly contributing to efficiency gains.
Editor: The AI Autonomous Manufacturing Leading Project aims to develop and implement AI technologies to optimize manufacturing processes. Can you explain how AI can identify problems in manufacturing as mentioned in the project details?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! At its core, AI enhances manufacturing by analyzing large sets of data collected throughout the production process. By employing machine learning algorithms, AI identifies patterns and potential problems before they occur. For example, if a certain machinery shows wear and tear signs at a consistent rate, AI can signal managers to perform maintenance, preventing costly breakdowns.
Editor: The project has a significant budget, with KRW 5 billion coming from the national budget. From your perspective, is the investment in AI technologies like this essential for local economies, especially in a city like Chungju?
Dr. Lee: Yes, I believe the investment is critical. By adopting AI-driven solutions, companies in Chungju can stay competitive in an increasingly automated global market. This funding will not only spur the development of innovative technologies but also create job opportunities in tech and manufacturing sectors, aiding economic growth in the region.
Editor: The Geomdan Bridge and the AI project are ambitious undertakings. How important is collaboration across various sectors—government, research institutions, and companies—in ensuring the success of such initiatives?
Dr. Lee: Collaboration is absolutely vital. These projects require diverse expertise—from engineering to AI development—making interdisciplinary partnerships crucial. When local governments, research institutes like ETRI, and private companies come together, they can share resources and insights, ultimately leading to more effective implementation and innovation.
Editor: Speaking of collaboration, the signing ceremony for the AI Autonomous Manufacturing project saw various stakeholders—including local governments and companies—attending. What role do you think community engagement plays in successful project implementation?
Dr. Lee: Community engagement is essential. Local stakeholders can provide valuable feedback and insights when it comes to the practical applications of AI technologies. Plus, involving the community raises awareness and fosters support for these initiatives, which is key to their success. When people see the benefits directly impacting their lives, they are more likely to support and participate in such projects.
Editor: With all the advancements on the horizon, what challenges do you foresee for Chungju as it works on both AI manufacturing and infrastructure projects?
Dr. Lee: One challenge is ensuring the workforce is adequately trained in new technologies. As AI becomes a core part of manufacturing processes, local workers must be trained to use and maintain these systems. Additionally, managing the integration of these technologies within existing infrastructures poses logistical challenges that must be navigated carefully.
Editor: Dr. Lee, thank you for your insights today! It’s clear that projects like the Geomdan Bridge and the AI autonomous manufacturing initiative have the potential to transform Chungju’s economic landscape and manufacturing capabilities.
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see how these developments unfold and contribute to a more innovative future.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for tuning in! Stay with us as we continue to cover the latest developments in technology and infrastructure.