CES Innovation Award–winning startups demonstrate global technological competitiveness

Hands-on exposure to future industries deepens academic strengths and provides practical opportunities for cultivating global talent

President CHOI Oe-chool strengthens cooperation networks through an MOU with the LA Korean American Chamber of Commerce and special lectures for U.S.-based alumni

[January 15, 2025]

<Visitors touring Yeungnam University’s booth at CES 2026>

 Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) has reaffirmed its global technological competitiveness at CES 2026, the world’s largest IT and consumer electronics exhibition held recently in Las Vegas, while accelerating the expansion of its global network through strengthened cooperation with alumni and institutions across the Americas.

<YU delegation visiting the booth of HUMANICS, a YU faculty-founded startup>

 At CES 2026, startups that have grown through YU’s industry–academic cooperation ecosystem showcased their technologies on the global stage.DeepFusion AI, a YU industry–academia collaborative startup, drew international attention by winning the Highest Innovation Award at CES 2026 for its autonomous driving technology based on 4D imaging radar. In addition, HUMANICS, an AI healthcare and fitness robotics company founded by Prof. CHOI Jeong-soo of Department of Robotics Engineering, won a CES Innovation Award for the second consecutive year, emerging as a representative success story of faculty entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and global market entry. These achievements highlight YU’s full-cycle industry–academia cooperation system, in which outstanding research capabilities are effectively translated into market-ready innovations.

<YU delegation visiting the YU booth operated by the RLRC>

 YU’s research and educational presence was also prominent at CES 2026.The Regional Leading Research Center (RLRC) for Blue Technologies in Autonomous Vehicle Parts and Materials operated an independent booth, introducing global industry and research leaders to its achievements in passive material technologies, active component technologies, and driving environment recognition and control technologies for autonomous vehicles, while exploring opportunities for international collaboration. 

 In particular, YU enhanced the educational value of the CES visit by dispatching a large-scale delegation of faculty and students.More than 40 participants, including members from the Software-Centered University Project Group, the RISE Future Aut

 omotive Innovation Parts Project Group, the Leading Research Center for Multimodal Untact Sensing for Lifelogging, and the SME Joint Research Support Program Group, attended the exhibition. Through first-hand exposure to cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, mobility, and digital healthcare, participants benchmarked global best practices and reflected on how universities should adapt their educational content and teaching methods in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.The visit reaffirmed that, even in an era defined by AI and robotics, university education must ultimately remain people-centered, nurturing warm, ethical, and socially responsible talent alongside advanced technical expertise.

<Special lecture and alumni night event with the US General Alumni Association>

<President CHOI Oe-chool delivering a special lecture to U.S.-based alumni>

 An alumni gathering held in conjunction with the CES visit underscored the strength of YU’s global alumni network. Approximately 60 alumni, including LEE Don, President of the US General Alumni Association, joined President CHOI and university officials for an LA Alumni Night, fostering deeper exchange and solidarity among alumni.In his special lecture, President CHOI shared YU’s recent achievements, including strong performances in university evaluations and rising admissions competitiveness, and outlined the university’s strategies for educational and research innovation and enhanced student support. He emphasized YU’s sustainable growth model, in which the university, alumni, local communities, and industries grow together, highlighting YU’s vision of becoming a globally recognized private university. 

<LEE Don, President of the US General Alumni Association, delivering a welcome address>

LEE Don (Architecture, Class of ’73) stated, “We sincerely welcome President CHOI’s visit to Los Angeles. The positive developments at our alma mater are truly encouraging and meaningful to alumni abroad.” He added that alumni across the Americas would continue to actively support YU’s growth. YU’s U.S.-based alumni have collectively donated over KRW 5 billion in scholarships, providing strong support for students’ academic pursuits and global engagement. This robust global alumni network serves as a key foundation for YU’s efforts to cultivate world-class talent.

<YU signs an MOU with the LA Korean American Chamber of Commerce (from the middle left: JUNG Sang-bong, President of the LAKACC; President CHOI Oe-chool)>

 YU also achieved a significant milestone in expanding its global industry–academia cooperation network by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LA Korean American Chamber of Commerce (LAKACC), led by President JUNG Sang-bong. The agreement establishes a strategic platform for expanding Korea–U.S. cooperation in education and industry.Under the MOU, the two organizations agreed to collaborate on ▲education and talent exchange ▲joint career development and internship programs for students and young professionals ▲exchange and cooperation between Korean and U.S. companies and institutions ▲joint promotion and network-building activities ▲mutual support for events and key initiatives.

President CHOI commented, “CES 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to confirm how Yeungnam University’s achievements in industry–academia cooperation, research, education, and entrepreneurship are being evaluated and can expand on the global stage.” He added, “When our startups’ innovation, students’ vivid global experiences, and cooperation with overseas institutions and alumni are organically connected, the university’s competitiveness is maximized.” He concluded, “YU will continue to expand opportunities for faculty and students to gain global perspectives and experiences through internships and participation in international exhibitions.Through global industry–academia cooperation and educational innovation, we will remain committed to cultivating talent that meets the demands of the times and contributes to the shared prosperity of humanity.”