Gimhae, South Korea – Gyeongsangnam-do Province has officially launched its "Future Vehicle Virtual Center" in Gimhae, marking a significant step in the region's push to become a leader in future automotive technology. The center, located within the Myeongdong General Industrial Complex in Hallim-myeon, Gimhae, will provide a cutting-edge virtual simulation environment crucial for the development and validation of next-generation vehicles.

The establishment of the center was made possible through a collaborative effort between Gyeongsangnam-do Province and Gimhae City, which were selected by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2021 for the "Virtual-based Future Car Parts Advancement Project." Since 2022, the two local entities have invested approximately 19.2 billion KRW (roughly $14 million USD) in national and local funding to construct the three-story facility.

Equipped with advanced hardware and software, the Future Vehicle Virtual Center allows automotive part manufacturers and vehicle developers to analyze and evaluate crucial performance aspects such as driving safety, durability, and comfort entirely in a virtual setting. This represents a paradigm shift from traditional development processes that rely heavily on the physical prototyping and testing of components and entire vehicles.

The conventional approach to new car development is often time-consuming and expensive, requiring the fabrication of physical prototypes to undergo rigorous testing in various conditions. However, the new virtual center enables companies to simulate real-world and even extreme driving scenarios within a virtual reality environment before any physical parts are even produced. This allows for the identification and optimization of design flaws and performance issues early in the development cycle.

By minimizing the need for repeated physical testing, the Future Vehicle Virtual Center promises to significantly reduce both the time and cost associated with bringing new automotive technologies to market. This accelerated development process is crucial in the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive industry, where innovation in areas like electric vehicles and autonomous driving is paramount.

Gyeongsangnam-do Province has ambitious plans for the Myeongdong General Industrial Complex, envisioning it as a central hub for future automotive technology research and development. In addition to the newly opened Virtual Center, the province intends to establish several other key facilities in the area, including a Future Vehicle Digital Twin Center, an Automotive Thermal Management System Commercialization Support Center, and a High-Payload Autonomous Mobile Robot Test and Evaluation Center. These interconnected centers will create a comprehensive ecosystem for innovation in the future mobility sector.

The province's strategic focus includes fostering the growth of electric vehicle-specific components and driving the development of core technologies for autonomous driving. By establishing this advanced virtual development infrastructure, Gyeongsangnam-do aims to spearhead the modernization of its automotive industrial base and facilitate the digital transformation of the sector. This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to enhance South Korea's competitiveness in the global future mobility market.

Industry experts anticipate that the Future Vehicle Virtual Center will not only attract established automotive companies but also foster the growth of new ventures and startups in the region. By providing access to state-of-the-art simulation tools and a collaborative research environment, Gyeongsangnam-do is positioning itself as a key player in the future of transportation. The center is expected to play a vital role in accelerating the development of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable vehicles for the years to come.