- Innovative, advanced hardware development accelerates industrial AR market penetration - Model Solution and Virnect, a company that specializes in AI and XR technology, signed an agreement on July 2 to undertake joint research and development on smart goggles - The AR devices will be used in the semiconductor, display, and bio industries     Seoul, South Korea, July 3, 2024 — Model Solution, a total hardware platform company and a subsidiary of Hankook & Company Group (formerly Hankook Tire Group), signed an agreement with artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technology company Virnect to carry out joint research and development at Model Solution’s facility in Bucheon, South Korea, with the goal of creating smart goggles.   The two companies plan to develop, mass-produce, and launch an AR device that can be worn like goggles for use in a wide range of industries including semiconductor, display, and bio. Model Solution will design, develop, and manufacture the necessary hardware. Virnect will develop applications for the product and will also design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).   The resulting smart devices will incorporate innovative technologies from both companies. Expected benefits include cost savings, productivity improvements, and increased convenience for global enterprises operating large-scale facilities and consumers.   By collaborating with Virnect, Model Solution aims to strengthen its competitiveness in the global AR and XR market while applying the technology and know-how it has gained through the development of industrial AR devices since 2021.   “This agreement with Virnect — a digital transformation (DX) partner with digital twin, artificial intelligence (AI), and extended reality (XR) solutions — is the starting point that will allow both companies to grow into AR-XR specialists capable of supplying both hardware and software,” said Model Solution CEO Byungil Woo. “We will introduce innovative devices targeting the global market as a result of this cooperation.”   Meanwhile, Model Solution gained recognition as an innovative hardware platform company and attracted over 1,000 partners worldwide. These include automaker Hyundai Motor Group, as well as technology powerhouses Google, Amazon, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics. In addition to pursuing excellence in smartphones, laptops, and other mobile communication devices, which have driven growth in recent years, the company has set core strategic tasks in AR, robotics, and medical devices and continues to invest heavily in research and development.   In particular, the MS-AR20SE, a head-mounted industrial AR display product that Model Solution is developing, is currently undergoing field tests at Hankook Tire & Technology’s plants in Geumsan, South Korea, and Tennessee, United States, with the goal of launching the product in South Korea in the second half of this year. The MS-AR20SE will be equipped with core functions necessary for industrial sites such as remote support and safety inspections, and Model Solution is considering using software from Virnect for the remote support application to enhance the product.

■ VIP guests and design industry leaders attended the 2024 CMF Open House fromApril 8 to 12    ■ Exhibits promoted innovative technology; trends in color, materials, andfinish (CMF) design, and augmented reality (AR) products for industrial sites   ■ Model Solution continues to expand partnerships with global companiessuch as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, Amazon, andGoogle   Model Solution, a total hardware platform company and a subsidiary of Hankook& Company Group (formerly Hankook Tire Group), held its 2024 CMF Open Housefrom April 8 to 12 at its headquarters in Bucheon, South Korea.   The event showcased Model Solution’s achievements in its specialty field of color, materials, and finish (CMF)design. They incorporate the latest CMF trends as well as augmented reality (AR) and demonstrate the company’s globalcompetitiveness across the value chain to design industry leaders and clients such as Samsung Electronics, LGElectronics, and Hyundai Motor Group.   The guests at the event encountered themed exhibition areas, experience zones,and videos thatshowcase Model Solution’s unparalleled CMF technology and its expertise inprototypes and Contract Manufacturing (CM).   The areas displayed the outcome of a collaborative projectwith the world-renowned studio Chris Lefteri Design, which has worked with Model Solution since 2020 to convey the latest design industry trends and insights. This year’s theme is sustainability, and guests experienced eco-friendly materials such as master CMF trend packages and products aspart of a national project collaborated with the Korea Institute of Design Promotion. The exhibits featured CMF samples and CMFessential kits focused on mass production.       There were also opportunitiesto experience Model Solution’s latest industrial AR devices. MS-AR20SE, the ARhead-mounted display (AR HMD), developed in cooperation with a Korean ARsoftware company for use at industrial sites, is equipped with optical modules,a thermal imager, and lights to facilitate remote support and safetyinspections.   The product launch is scheduledin late 2024 for a monocular version of MS-AR20SE, after field tests at HankookTire & Technology’s plants in Geumsan, Korea, and in Tennessee, the UnitedStates. A binocular version, offering enhanced information and visibility, is currentlyin the development phase with testing anticipated to conclude by the end ofthis year.   To demonstrate the company’s innovativetechnology, another experience space simulated an at-home environment so guestscan enjoy games and videos in a cozy setting. This space was collaborated witha specialized simulator platform company, GAMA Co., Ltd.   “We hope this event inspirednew ideas,” said Model Solution CEO Byungil Woo. “It also showed that ModelSolution is an internationally competitive company, not just for prototypes butalso for AR devices and Contract Manufacturing (CM) products.”       Acclaimed for its innovation and technological excellence,Model Solution is a global hardware platform company with over 1,000partners throughout the world. These include automaker Hyundai Motor Group, aswell as technology powerhouses Google, Amazon, Samsung Electronics, and LGElectronics. Smartphones and laptops have driven Model Solution’s growth sinceits inception, and more recently it has identified AR, robotics, and medicaldevices as strategic areas for research and development.