BUSAN, South Korea – Hyundai Rotem today unveiled its ambitious "K-Rail" roadmap, outlining its strategic direction to lead the global railway market, at the 2025 Busan International Railway Technology Fair held at BEXCO. As a prominent domestic high-speed train manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem's participation underscores its commitment to showcasing the breadth of its indigenous railway technology under the slogan, "Connecting people and technology to create a sustainable future."
Hydrogen: The Core of Future Mobility
A centerpiece of Hyundai Rotem's exhibit is a dedicated theme pavilion showcasing a hydrogen value chain ecosystem, leveraging Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen brand, HTWO. This initiative aims to consolidate the group's hydrogen energy technologies and business capabilities, accelerate external partnerships, and attract investment to expand both domestic and international operations. The company emphasizes its contribution to broadening the hydrogen business, encompassing not only an expanded hydrogen mobility lineup but also the entire hydrogen supply chain.
A large diorama within the booth vividly illustrates how hydrogen mobility will be integrated into a future hydrogen society, from production and storage to transportation and utilization. This visual representation aims to demonstrate the practical application and societal impact of a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure.
Pioneering Hydrogen-Powered Rail Solutions
One of the most significant reveals at the exhibition is the flat-type hydrogen fuel cell module, designed specifically for the Daejeon Line 2 hydrogen electric tram. This innovative module, a first for public display, features a reduced height compared to conventional hydrogen fuel cells used in automobiles, making it ideal for specialized vehicles with spatial constraints, such as railway cars and wide-area buses. Hyundai Rotem highlights the module's importance in accelerating the expansion of hydrogen mobility and providing diverse customers with easier access to hydrogen energy.
Accompanying the module are models of various hydrogen railway vehicles, including hydrogen electric trams, hydrogen-powered cars, and hydrogen-powered EMUs, showcasing the company's diverse hydrogen-powered rail lineup. Visitors can also engage in an interactive program that allows them to create drawings of hydrogen electric trams using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, offering a glimpse into the creative potential of AI in design and innovation.
Advancing High-Speed Rail Technology
On the left side of the booth, dedicated to high-speed rail, stands a model of the EMU-370, Hyundai Rotem's next-generation distributed power high-speed train currently under development. The company states that this vehicle encapsulates the accumulated technological prowess and experience of Korea's high-speed rail development over the past three decades, a testament to collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. The EMU-370 prioritizes operational efficiency, passenger safety, and enhanced comfort.
For the first time, visitors can also see the actual core components of the Uzbekistan high-speed train, which marked Korea's long-sought-after first export of high-speed rail vehicles last year. Models of domestic high-speed trains, including the KTX-Sanchoen (concentrated power system) and the KTX-Cheongryong (distributed power system), are also on display. The concentrated power system has power units located at both ends of the train, while the distributed power system integrates power units throughout all cars, optimizing acceleration, deceleration, and transport efficiency. The Uzbekistan high-speed train is a state-of-the-art distributed power model based on the KTX-Eum.
A Journey Through K-Rail Heritage and Innovation
The inner section of the booth is designated as the "Heritage Hall," visually chronicling the history of Hyundai Rotem's domestic high-speed train development and related technological achievements. This section features test vehicles like the G7 and HEMU-430X, which laid the foundation for major high-speed trains such as the KTX-Sanchoen, KTX-Eum, and KTX-Cheongryong. Visitors can also review international awards and certifications for design and technological advancements.
On the right side of the booth, actual modern railway vehicles from both domestic and international projects are exhibited. These include the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) EMU, the autonomously operated Taiwan Green Line EMU, and the Edmonton Tram from Canada. Each vehicle has an access path and information signage, allowing visitors to explore their features in detail.
Showcasing Core Technologies and Expertise
Hyundai Rotem is also hosting technical presentation sessions focusing on core components and operation and maintenance expertise. These sessions provide in-depth introductions to various technologies, from the propulsion control unit, often considered the heart of high-speed trains, to the Korean Train Control System (KTCS), an independently developed and continuously improved signaling system crucial for safe high-speed train operation. Detailed domestic and international maintenance records are also shared, offering comprehensive insights into Hyundai Rotem's technical capabilities.
A Hyundai Rotem official stated, "The successful first export of Korean high-speed rail and the smooth progress of research and development utilizing hydrogen, a next-generation energy source, are all thanks to the citizens who have trusted and used K-Rail technology." The official added, "We will continue to dedicate all our capabilities to further enhance the global standing of K-Rail and reciprocate this trust."
The 2025 Busan International Railway Technology Fair serves as a vital platform for Hyundai Rotem to reaffirm its leadership in the global railway industry and to articulate its vision for a sustainable, technologically advanced future for transportation.
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