Latest news with #InterBattery
Korea Herald
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
SK On to develop AI-powered model for operational efficiency by 2028
SK On is set to develop an in-house artificial intelligence-powered model to optimize its electric vehicle battery production and enhance cost and operational efficiency across its business, according to the firm's executive. Dubbed the 'Battery Foundation Model,' this advanced AI system will create a framework using big data to guide business operations or decision-making processes, according to Kim Sang-jin, vice president and head of the new form factor product development office at SK On, during his speech at the InterBattery expo conference on Wednesday. 'The question is no longer whether to adopt AI. It's about how swiftly and thoroughly companies can integrate it to gain a competitive edge,' Kim added, stressing that SK On is making exceptional efforts to boost its AI prowess compared to its Korean rivals LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI. Kim noted that AI is becoming an integral part of the battery industry, given that it is under constant pressure to reduce costs, maintain high product quality and accelerate research and development amid the downturn in EV demand. The recent rise in uncertainty due to regulatory changes and supply chain disruptions further complicates these challenges. SK On is leveraging AI in several key areas to enhance battery production. One of them is deep-learning Vision AI, which provides higher quality inspection and defect detection compared to the traditional system reliant on human inspectors. According to the company, the system ensures greater accuracy, lowers defect rates and improves production efficiency through continuous retraining. In addition, a time-series AI model analyzes battery performance and upgrades algorithms used in battery management systems, contributing to extending battery lifespan and improving safety. SK On emphasized its new comprehensive AI model will aid expansion beyond battery production. In particular, it will enable faster and more informed decisions in response to challenging trade disruptions, by analyzing data from sales, finance and corporate strategies in line with regulatory shifts and industry trends. 'Recent uncertainty surrounding US policies highlight the need for greater flexibility in corporate decision-making,' the company said.
Korea Herald
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
SK On completes prismatic, 46-pi battery development
Battery maker in talks with auto brands to secure orders for newest products SK On has completed the development of prismatic and 46-pi cylindrical battery cells, the Korean battery maker's head of research and development division said Wednesday. 'We are trying our best to speed up the process of mass production for (the prismatic batteries) right now,' Park Ki-soo, head of SK On's R&D division, told reporters at the 2025 InterBattery exhibition at Coex in Seoul. 'We are in talks with clients to secure orders but mass production must be carried out in steps with their automotive market situation, so we are going to align with their timeline.' Park added that SK On has completed developing 46-pi cylindrical battery cells despite being the last among Korean battery makers to join the race for the development and mass production of the cells. 'We are making various form factors with different heights,' he said. 'The development (of 46-pi cylindrical battery cells) is complete, but we are in the process of developing distinguished technology regarding production to bolster mass production capabilities.' SK On's R&D chief also shared that the company expects development of its 'immersion cooling technology' to be complete in approximately two years. The thermal management solution cools heat-generating components by directly immersing them in thermal fluids. SK On's immersion cooling technology is being co-developed with SK Enmove, a sister company under SK Innovation, and features a structure tailored to support fast charging with an ability to curb thermal runways. '(As for the immersion cooling technology's application,) it's being developed for both (energy storage systems) and electric vehicles,' he said. Asked about a potential hike in the price of batteries equipped with the technology, Park mentioned that automakers can remove existing defensive materials loaded on the EV batteries to prevent thermal runways, as SK On's immersion cooling technology can replace them. 'As (automakers) remove such materials, we believe that the overall price (of the battery) will remain similar,' he said.
Korea Herald
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Innometry to showcase noninvasive X-ray inspection tech for EV batteries
Innometry said Monday it will present its noninvasive X-ray inspection solutions for electric vehicle batteries at this week's InterBattery expo in Seoul. The company will showcase its X-ray and 3D CT technology used to analyze the internal structure of the car batteries to identify manufacturing defects and help prevent EV fires. Specifically, the equipment is designed to monitor whether the internal electrodes in batteries of various form factors ― such as prismatic, pouch and cylindrical ― are well-aligned. Additionally, the company will display its inspection device for detecting internal contaminants within batteries and high-speed stacking equipment for assembling separators and anode and cathode plates. For the exhibition, Innometry has prepared scaled-down mockup equipment, reduced to one-seventh of the actual size, to demonstrate how quickly and precisely it can inspect the battery's interior cells. 'Our inspection solutions are capable of 'inline examination' for all existing battery types, including the 46 series cylindrical batteries and next-generation all-solid-state batteries,' stated an official from Innometry. 'This has led to numerous business inquiries from global battery manufacturers in countries such as Korea, China and the US.' Inline battery examination refers to an efficient testing process for each battery cell at the end of the production stage. Innometry CEO Lee Gap-soo noted, 'Our precision optical technology and artificial intelligence-powered software platform allows us to promptly address any battery of our client's strategic choice to tackle the slowdown (in electric vehicle demand). We will have senior decision-makers, including the heads of our US and Chinese branches, present at the exhibition to actively engage with potential clients and strive for meaningful outcomes.'
Korea Herald
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
BYD to join Seoul's InterBattery expo in March
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is set to make its InterBattery debut in Seoul, aiming to flaunt its technological prowess on the home ground of its Korean rivals. According to industry sources on Tuesday, BYD plans to set up an exhibition space to showcase its battery technology at Korea's largest battery event, scheduled from Mar. 5 to 7 in Gangnam, Seoul. While the company has not disclosed specifics, it highlighted on the InterBattery website that its product lineup spans various battery form factors, including soft pack batteries, steel shell batteries and cylindrical batteries. Notably, BYD is expected to introduce its flagship Blade Battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Although it offers lower energy density than the nickel, cobalt and manganese batteries of its Korean competitors, it is considered safer, as it reduces the risk of overheating, fire and explosion. BYD's booth will be opposite LG Chem and Lotte Chemical, the nation's major battery materials suppliers, both of which are also participating in the event for the first time. The Chinese company's booth will cover 36 square meters, smaller than the 540 square meters each occupied by LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, and SK On's 450 square meters. While BYD's presence is not extensive this year, its penetration into the Korean market is "concerning," a source said. This year's InterBattery event boasts a record number of 646 companies, up 11.6 percent from 579 in 2024. Among them, 130 are foreign entities, with 79 being Chinese companies, reflecting their growing presence from 24 in 2023 to 62 last year. Chinese EV and battery makers are also strengthening their foothold in the global market. According to market tracker SNE Research, China's CATL and BYD have secured the top two positions worldwide. Their combined market share rose from 52.5 percent in 2023 to 55.1 percent last year, whereas the Korean battery trio – LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On – saw a decline from 23.1 percent to 18.4 percent.
