Home > 자동차/모빌리티 > Beyond Autonomous Driving to Hydrogen Ships and Charging Robots: 29 Companies Selected for 2026 International e-Mobility Expo Innovation Awards

Beyond Autonomous Driving to Hydrogen Ships and Charging Robots: 29 Companies Selected for 2026 International e-Mobility Expo Innovation Awards

Beyond Autonomous Driving to Hydrogen Ships: The Forefront of Technological Evolution

자동차_모빌리티 2026-03-31 자동차/모빌리티

Beyond Autonomous Driving to Hydrogen Ships: The Forefront of Technological Evolution The 13th International e-Mobility Expo (IEVE), held from March 24 to 27, 2026, at Jeju Shinhwa World, marked another leap forward for Korea's future mobility industry. This event served as a platform to showcase the latest technologies and innovative ideas within the mobility sector, establishing itself as a significant venue for technological advancement and exchange not only in Korea but globally. At the heart of this expo, the 'Innovation Awards' were particularly lauded for inspiring various startups and technology companies. The 13th International e-Mobility Expo saw 29 award-winning companies present diverse and original achievements across various fields, including autonomous driving, hydrogen ships, and charging robots. These companies are redefining the future of mobility, contributing to opening new possibilities through their unique technological capabilities. Over 50 countries participated in this expo, with more than 50 sessions covering the entire spectrum of future mobility technologies, including electric vehicles, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), eco-friendly ships, batteries, and autonomous driving. What will the future of transportation look like? Who will be the protagonists of this industry, transformed by advanced technology? Among the most notable companies is Vincen, a Korean startup. Vincen presented the potential to concretely realize the decarbonization of the maritime industry by developing a hydrogen fuel cell-based eco-friendly ship propulsion system. While the concept of hydrogen ships is still in its early stages, Vincen's technological approach is considered an essential element as we move towards carbon neutrality goals. In particular, Vincen's application of a distributed power generation system, enabling stable and sustainable energy management, holds significant potential to lead innovation in the global maritime industry. Reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector has emerged as a major challenge for ship operators amidst tightening global environmental regulations, and hydrogen technology is positioning itself as a realistic alternative to address this. Meanwhile, Sweco, which developed a battery thermal runaway mitigation solution, significantly enhanced the safety of electric vehicles and garnered attention as one of the expo's key technologies this year. Battery thermal runaway remains one of the biggest challenges in the electric vehicle industry, and Sweco has developed an innovative solution to address it. By successfully reducing the risk of battery explosions in extreme conditions, the company has simultaneously secured consumer trust and market competitiveness. Ensuring the stability of EV batteries is a prerequisite for the sustained growth of the global EV market, and such technological innovations are expected to play an increasingly crucial role with the rise in EV adoption. Experts analyze that advancements in battery safety technology will be a key driver in accelerating the popularization of electric vehicles. Furthermore, Sejong International showcased a new technological approach by integrating Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels into the automotive industry. This technology is hailed as an innovative development bridging the construction and mobility industries, possessing a distinct advantage in designing systems that utilize sustainable energy. Through BIPV technology, Sejong International maximizes power usage efficiency and is leading the transition to zero-emission transportation. This technology's development will not only reduce the environmental impact of vehicles but also play a significant role in transforming the energy management and supply systems of entire cities. Building an integrated energy ecosystem where buildings and vehicles simultaneously produce and consume energy is considered a core element for realizing smart cities. Challenges of Korean Startups and the Global Stage Another startup, Ecop&C, contributed to the digital transformation of mobility by developing an AI-based idle limitation system. This system garnered attention for its ability to automatically detect and minimize unnecessary vehicle idling, thereby significantly reducing fuel waste and emissions. AI technology can maximize the energy-saving potential of the mobility industry and contribute to solving air pollution and energy waste problems through comprehensive analysis and data processing. Idle limitation, in particular, can bring immediate environmental improvement effects in urban traffic environments, drawing significant interest from local governments and logistics companies. Among the Innovation Award winners, Jeongrok demonstrated its technological prowess in responding to environmental regulations with its harmful substance reduction module. Jeongrok's technology can effectively reduce various harmful substances generated during vehicle operation, thereby cont