MORAI is the only Korean startup to participate. It is collaborating with 17 global research institutions, including KATECH and the University of Geneva, to develop a virtualized cooperative autonomous driving system for passenger and operator support.
MORAI, a leading provider in autonomous driving simulation platforms to verify the safety and reliability of autonomous systems (automotive, UAV, maritime, robotics), has announced its participation in Horizon Europe, the world's largest research and innovation program, to advance system development for the commercialization of autonomous driving.
Horizon Europe, running from 2021 to 2027, is the world’s most extensive multilateral research and innovation program, with a total budget of €95.5 billion (approximately KRW 138 trillion). In March, South Korea became the first Asian country to complete negotiations to join Horizon Europe as an associate member, with full membership expected by 2025.
MORAI will participate in a project titled "Development of a Virtualized Cooperative Autonomous Driving System for Passenger and Operator Support to Foster a Fully Autonomous Ecosystem." This project is supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the International Collaborative Technology Development Program. The project will run for three years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, involving 17 prestigious global research institutions.
MORAI will closely collaborate with the project's lead organization, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH). The research aims to develop a monitoring system capable of collecting and displaying real-time operational data for remote autonomous driving systems by detecting and responding to potential hazards both inside and outside the vehicle.
Using its digital twin technology, MORAI will develop a virtual human model to ensure passenger privacy while monitoring both internal and external vehicle environments. This technology will enable the development of AI that can detect dangerous situations, integrating individual systems into a user-friendly monitoring platform known as P-VAS (Personalized Vehicle Assistance System).
JiWon Jung, CEO of MORAI, said, "We are honored to be the first Korean startup to participate directly in research following Korea's historic achievement as the first Asian country to gain associate membership in Horizon Europe. This joint research with Europe will lay a crucial foundation for accelerating the commercialization of autonomous driving. MORAI is committed to advancing simulation technology through collaborative research with KATECH and European institutions, propelling innovation in the autonomous driving industry."
As part of its involvement in Horizon Europe, MORAI plans to strengthen its presence in the European market. The company has recently established a subsidiary in Germany and is expanding its business in the European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) regions. To support this expansion, MORAI has appointed a mobility industry expert as the head of the German office and is actively recruiting local specialists to accelerate its market entry strategy.
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