Future Innovation Tech Expo, FIX 2025, Marks Daegu’s Push for an AI-Transformed Industry

Daegu’s integrated technology exhibition brings together four major events—DIFA, ROBEX, ITCE, and the Start-Up Arena—to explore how AI is reshaping mobility, robotics, ICT, and entrepreneurship across South Korea.

This October, the city of Daegu will host FIX 2025, a technology exhibition combining four distinct trade events—mobility, robotics, ICT, and startup innovation—under the shared theme “The Future Already Begun, All on AI.”

• Daegu International Future Auto & Mobility Expo (DIFA)
• Daegu Robot Expo (ROBEX)
• ICT Convergence Expo Korea (ITCE)
• Start-Up Arena

Together, these form an integrated showcase for the region’s push toward AI-driven industrial transformation, often referred to in Korea as AX (AI Transformation). The event takes place from October 22 to 25, 2025 at EXCO, with the accompanying conference running October 22 to 24.

The theme for 2025—“The Future Already Begun, All on AI”—reflects Daegu’s intention to connect traditional manufacturing strengths with emerging digital technologies. According to organizers, the combined fair will feature 585 companies, up from 544 in 2024, and 117 international exhibitors, or about 20 percent of participants.

FIX 2025 also follows the central government’s approval of the Regional AX Innovation Technology Development Project, which enables Daegu to accelerate AI research and pilot programs across mobility, robotics, and semiconductors.

Jeong-gi Kim, Acting Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, said:
“This year’s event not only marks quantitative growth but also demonstrates qualitative progress as a global innovation technology exhibition. With the recent approval of the Regional AX Innovation Technology Development Project, expectations for AI-driven transformation among local industries are high. We will ensure that FIX 2025 serves as the catalyst for innovation and the renewed growth of Daegu’s industrial ecosystem.”

Daegu International Future Auto & Mobility Expo (DIFA)

The DIFA section examines how electrification, AI, and automation are reshaping transport systems. It covers Urban Air Mobility (UAM), electric and hydrogen vehicles, autonomous driving, secondary cell batteries, and mobility services.

Electric and aerial mobility

Automakers and suppliers, including Hyundai Motor, GM Korea, BYD, Porsche, Volkswagen, HL Robotics, Valeo, and Daedong, are expected to participate. Notable showcases include:

• Xpeng Aero X2, an electric vertical-take-off aircraft shown in Korea for the first time after previous global events.
• HL Robotics Parkie, an indoor autonomous parking robot.
• TREEZE Robobus, a Level-4 autonomous shuttle.
• T-Money’s tag-free payment system, which uses AI to manage passenger identification and charging.

A dedicated UAM pavilion will offer flight-simulation experiences for visitors exploring low-altitude mobility concepts.

Regional technologies and supply chains

Local firms will highlight research developed in Daegu’s industrial clusters:

• L&F Corporation will present its LFP cathode material, the first mass-produced in Korea for EV batteries.
• Kyung Chang Industrial introduces an electronic pedal system intended to prevent unintended acceleration.
• ISU Petasys will exhibit an ultra-multilayer PCB used in AI semiconductors.

These examples illustrate how mobility and semiconductor ecosystems are starting to overlap under the AI Transformation framework.

Historical context

A small Classic Car Exhibition will feature a Ford Model T (1908) and a Porsche 356 (1956) once associated with actor James Dean, providing historical context to the technological changes on display.

Daegu Robot Expo (ROBEX)

The ROBEX hall focuses on service robots, industrial automation, and robotic components, with particular attention to humanoid designs emerging from Korean labs and companies.

Humanoids for heavy industry

AeiRobot’s Alice—described as Korea’s first humanoid developed for shipbuilding and construction—will be shown alongside other industrial models. The company’s Co-founder and Hanyang University professor Jae Kwon Han will speak about practical deployment in hazardous environments.

The Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) will display three humanoid prototypes in a scaled-down version of the national robot test field, part of Korea’s effort to standardize safety and certification.

Demonstrations and practical systems

Chinese manufacturer Unitree Robotics will present its Humanoid G1 in what organizers call Korea’s first robot boxing demonstration, intended to show balance and motion-control algorithms.

Other exhibitors include Coupang, outlining warehouse automation; Bear Robotics and Robocare, showcasing service robots for hospitality and healthcare; and Universal Robots with Epson, both presenting collaborative robotic arms for smaller manufacturing lines.

ROBEX outlines how Korean companies are extending robotics from factories into public and consumer spaces.

ICT Convergence Expo Korea (ITCE)

The ITCE section covers Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain (ABB), alongside ICT, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and metaverse-related applications. It functions as the digital backbone of the overall event.

Domestic AI development

Within the National AI Pavilion, several firms will showcase models and platforms developed independently from foreign providers:

• Wrtn Technologies, producing Korean-language LLMs and enterprise search tools.
• Upstage, specializing in document-understanding AI.
• KT, unveiling its proprietary model Mitum for telecom and enterprise services.
• Megazone Cloud, presenting hybrid-cloud infrastructure for AI deployment in government and industry.

Together they represent a “sovereign AI” approach intended to strengthen local control over data and algorithms.

Hardware and semiconductor ecosystem

Telechips, Nextchip, and Huconn will exhibit fabless chip designs for automotive and edge AI applications. ISU Petasys will link its PCB technology to AI hardware, while SDT presents cryogenic cooling equipment used in quantum-computing prototypes.

Cybersecurity and immersive tools

Several exhibitors will feature AI-based threat detection and blockchain-based data integrity systems. Others focus on XR and metaverse training applications used for industrial simulation and design.

ITCE effectively demonstrates how Korea’s AI infrastructure—spanning software, semiconductors, and secure data systems—is taking shape.

4 / Start-Up Arena

The Start-Up Arena combines two programs—Play & Plug Expo Korea and the Global Innovator Festa (GIF)—to link early-stage companies with large corporations and investors.

Collaboration platforms

Play & Plug facilitates partnerships and proof-of-concept projects between established manufacturers and startups. GIF adds open hackathons, idea pitches, and student competitions, creating pathways from university research to commercialization.

Access to buyers and corporates

Through cooperation with KOTRA, organizers expect 53 verified international buyers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan, up from 29 in 2024.

A Large Corporation Purchase Consultation Meeting, coordinated with the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, will include HD Hyundai, Hanwha, SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and POSCO DX, offering startups direct procurement channels.

The area functions as a practical bridge between R&D and market entry.

Conference Program

Running alongside the exhibition from October 22 to 24, the FIX 2025 Conference brings together 87 speakers from 16 countries. Confirmed sessions include:

• Wang Tan, Co-founder of Xpeng Aero, on urban air mobility.
• Seyoung Lee, CEO of Wrtn Technologies, on language-specific AI models.
• Jae Kwon Han, Co-founder of AeiRobot, on humanoid applications.

Special appearances by Sedol Lee, the professional Go player who faced AlphaGo, and Tim Hwang, CEO of FiscalNote, will address human-AI collaboration and AI policy.

Visitors Information

Registration at fixkorea.or.kr is free. A shuttle bus will connect Dongdaegu Station and EXCO every 15 minutes during show hours. Visitors receive a 30 percent discount on entry to the Daegu International Opera Festival and the Daegu Kansong Art Museum.

Daegu City will also organize optional tours to Sayuwon and the Kansong Museum, both listed among Korea’s “Top 100 Tourist Destinations.”

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