The government has launched a dedicated committee to develop ultra-difficult innovative technologies that will reshape future industries. The initiative aims to proactively secure next-generation growth engines by turning science-fiction (SF) concepts, like the nano-robot suit from the movie *Iron Man*, into reality.
On the 8th, MOTIE held a launch ceremony for the Grand Challenge Committee at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. The committee, led by Hong Soon-kook, Standing Vice-President of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, consists of 22 experts from academia, industry, and research institutions across technology, economy, future studies, and policy.
The Future Game-Changing Technology Project is an innovation-driven R&D initiative that tackles ultra-difficult technologies with high failure risks but the potential to transform future industries if successful. By 2035, a total investment of 302.6 billion KRW will be allocated to support the entire process—from core technology development to demonstration, production, and early market creation. The project will select promising research through staged competitions among multiple research teams per theme, while also establishing IP roadmaps, business strategies, and private investment linkages to accelerate industrialization.
The committee has begun its first meeting and will focus on identifying three new themes for the 2027 project. To anticipate technological and market shifts over the next decade, it reviewed 67 promising technology areas and 925 core technologies. Beyond technology demand surveys and expert interviews, the committee analyzed over 600 domestic and international SF contents and utilized an AI-based theme discovery system to refine candidate themes.
This process yielded 26 candidate themes, including nano-robots, self-healing/self-adaptive intelligent materials, X-Brain neuromorphic semiconductors, and ultra-low-power space computing. The committee will comprehensively evaluate their potential for creating new industries/markets and global leadership, finalizing the top three themes by the end of December.
The first batch of selected themes—artificial muscle full-body driving robots, PFAS-Free materials/processes, and 3D spatial intelligence—began full-scale technology development this year.
Director-General Lee stated, “The Future Game-Changing Technology Project is not about technologies we are currently good at, but about proactively identifying and challenging the technologies that will determine our industrial competitiveness in 10 years. By gathering insights from diverse experts and industry stakeholders, we will boldly support technologies that can reshape the global industrial landscape.”
