ITS World Conference opens in Gangneung to examine AI and mobility
The 32nd ITS World Conference opened on October 19, 2026, at the Olympic Park in Gangneung, South Korea, bringing together approximately 60,000 participants from over 90 countries to examine artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and sustainable mobility technologies, as reported by KBS News.
Global Mobility Leaders Convene for the Third Domestic Hosting
Referred to as the transport Olympics, the international event spans through October 23 under the theme “Beyond Mobility, Connected World.” South Korea previously hosted the conference in Seoul in 1998 and Busan in 2010. The schedule encompasses 193 academic sessions, 428 exhibition booths, technical demonstrations, and field tours coordinated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport alongside the Gangneung municipal government.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-seon noted during the opening that South Korea has continuously advanced its intelligent transport systems from basic information provisioning and traffic flow administration toward AI-driven traffic prediction and policy support. The event provides a platform to share these operational experiences and assist domestic firms in securing broader international market access.
HL Robotics Demonstrates Outdoor Parking Robot System
Exhibition floors at the Gangneung Hockey Center feature live operational trials of advanced robotics and micro-mobility solutions. HL로보틱스 demonstrated its outdoor parking robot system named Stan, utilizing two units to automate vehicle transfer and retrieval processes intended for high-density environments like airports. The system relies on a digital twin integrated control infrastructure to optimize movement paths and prevent collisions across the layout.
Additional technology displays include driverless delivery robots, outdoor autonomous parking systems, and single-person autonomous carts designed to accommodate elderly and disabled passengers safely. Equipment manufacturers and service providers showcased vehicle-to-everything communication equipment, digital road infrastructure tools, and automated traffic signal controllers across 420 exhibition booths.
Korea Intelligent Transport Systems Association Signs Cooperation Agreement
Prior to the main opening, the Korea Intelligent Transport Systems Association signed a formal cooperation agreement with the International Task Force on Vehicle-Highway Automation on October 18 at the Gangneung Convention Center. The pact establishes regular expert exchanges and joint knowledge-sharing activities centered on cooperative, connected, and automated mobility frameworks.
Academic discussions throughout the week address specialized topics including electric bus energy efficiency, carbon emission tracking, urban traffic eco-management, and AI-based signal regulation. Trade and export support agencies such as the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and the Export-Import Bank of Korea are operating dedicated assistance programs to connect regional transport technology providers with foreign buyers.
