3 November 2008

Officials gathered for the opening of the AIIC in Seoul

Following an agreement in May 2008, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group (HKAG), Microsoft, and Korea’s Institute for Information Technology Advancement (IITA) have opened the Automotive IT Innovation Centre (AIIC), located within HKAG’s new research facilities in Uiwang City, South Korea.

“The collaboration between HKAG and Microsoft will have a great synergy effect that will significantly raise our businesses’ capabilities,” said Mong-Koo Chung, chairman and CEO of HKAG. “In particular, the AIIC, which will be a new platform of cooperation between private companies and the government, will serve as a role model for other industries.”

The AIIC will focus on uncovering new IT technologies for automobiles by supporting the research and development activities of small and medium IT companies based in Korea. HKAG will provide the facilities and cars for technical testing and vehicle application, while Microsoft will assume responsibility for software development and launch into the global market. IITA will extend financial support to eligible small and medium IT enterprises. 20 companies a year for three years will be supported, and the most promising candidates will be helped to develop into global players in the automotive IT sector.

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