Korea Central News Net

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  • Hyundai Motor launches the 2026 ST1 in Korea

    Hyundai Motor 2026 ST1 (Cargo) | Photo provided by Hyundai Motor

    Hyundai Motor launched the updated 2026 ST1 on July 16, enhancing the electric business platform’s features and introducing a new budget trim.

    The ST1, first released last year, is equipped with a 76.1 kWh battery, offering a driving range of 317 km for the Cargo model and 298 km for the Cargo Freezer version on a single charge. It supports ultra-fast charging at up to 350kW, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

    Reflecting feedback from existing customers, Hyundai added several convenience features to the Smart trim of the 2026 ST1, including a sun visor mirror for the first row, a passenger-side assist handle, and a floor mat for the passenger seat. The company also enhanced the existing ‘Convenience’ package by adding heated and ventilated seats for the passenger side.

    To reduce the financial burden on customers, Hyundai introduced a new budget ‘Style’ trim for the ST1 Cargo model.

    Despite being priced 1.06 million KRW lower than the Smart trim, the Style trim includes popular features such as a 12.3-inch cluster display, 10.25-inch navigation system, electronic parking brake with auto hold, front and rear parking sensors, and an interior V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) system, ensuring a comfortable driving environment.

    The ST1 comes equipped with an infotainment system based on the Android operating system, offering scalability to tailor work environments to user needs.

    Hyundai has also newly integrated the logistics app “Sendy” into the 2026 ST1 to further improve business convenience.

    Sendy’s driver program uses AI technology to minimize empty vehicle mileage and optimize delivery routes, helping users enhance both work efficiency and profitability.

    The 2026 ST1 is priced as follows (before eco-friendly vehicle subsidies):


    Cargo–Style: 58.74 million KRW / Smart: 60.4 million KRW / Premium: 64.18 million KRW


    Cargo Freezer – Smart: 68.75 million KRW / Premium: 72.53 million KRW

    
Chassis Cab – Smart: 56.55 million KRW
High-top – Smart: 58 million KRW.

    Based on the Style trim for the Cargo model, customers in Korea can expect to receive government and municipal subsidies ranging from at least 15.1 million to as much as 24.57 million KRW, in addition to 3.6 million KRW in support for small business owners and 5.34 million KRW in VAT refunds for commercial vehicles. While varying by regions, these benefits are expected to significantly reduce the actual purchase cost.

    To mark the launch of the 2026 ST1, Hyundai is holding a special promotion offering a discount of 500,000 KRW for owners of small commercial vehicles and 300,000 KRW for owners of other old cars that are over seven years old.

    Hyundai stated that the ST1, as an electric business platform, continues to earn positive reviews for its advanced features and competitive total cost of ownership. The company added that the improved 2026 ST1, developed with close attention to customer feedback, is expected to enhance operational efficiency for its users further.

  • SolidVue and Lumotive sign partnership to co-develop next-generation LiDAR

    From left: Jung-Hoon Chun, Co-CEO of SolidVue; Sam Heidari, CEO of Lumotive; and Jaehyuk Choi, Co-CEO of SolidVue, pose for a photo to commemorate the signing of a joint development agreement for next-generation LiDAR systems | Photo provided by SolidVue

    SolidVue, a leading developer of SPAD sensor ICs, has entered into a strategic partnership with U.S.-based programmable photonics company Lumotive to co-develop next-generation LiDAR systems. The two companies plan to set new standards in the 3D sensing industry by leveraging their respective core technologies.

    At the heart of the collaboration is the integration of SolidVue’s high-performance dTOF SPAD sensor—responsible for light detection—with Lumotive’s Light Control Metasurface (LCM™) beam steering technology, which handles light projection. The goal is to jointly develop a reference design that can become the standard for next-generation LiDAR systems. This integrated approach is expected to enable high-resolution, high-precision, and energy-efficient LiDAR solutions applicable to autonomous driving, industrial automation, and smart devices.

    The partnership reflects the shared vision of both companies to accelerate the adoption of compact, cost-effective, high-performance LiDAR solutions across key markets such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and smart consumer electronics.

    “We aim to expand the potential of LiDAR systems by combining our high-performance SPAD technology with Lumotive’s innovative beam steering technology,” said Jung-Hoon Chun, Co-CEO of SolidVue. “This collaboration is a major milestone toward realizing SolidVue’s vision of delivering high-resolution and highly reliable LiDAR sensor ICs to the global market.”

    “By combining SolidVue’s cutting-edge sensor technology with our LCM™ technology, we’re setting a new benchmark in LiDAR performance and opening doors for next-generation applications,” said Sam Heidari, CEO of Lumotive. “This partnership, where our visions and technologies align, is expected to have a profound impact across multiple industries.”

    SolidVue and Lumotive will continue their collaboration to introduce a new class of LiDAR solutions to the market that offer high performance, scalability, and design flexibility, each building on their respective technological strengths.

    SolidVue is a technology company specializing in the development of advanced LiDAR sensor ICs. It leads in CMOS SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) technology, which enables high-precision 3D imaging. The company develops compact, energy-efficient LiDAR sensor solutions applicable to autonomous driving, AR/VR, and smart devices, while maintaining cost-efficiency.

  • Arcade rhythm game Pump It Up series debuts on Steam for the first time

    Andamiro’s flagship rhythm game series, Pump It Up, has launched globally on the Steam platform for the first time in its 25-year history with the early access release of its latest title, PUMP IT UP RISE.
    PUMP IT UP RISE retains the essence and tactile rhythm action of the original arcade game while optimizing controls and content for PC environments. Staying true to the series’ distinctive arrow-based step charts, the game supports various input devices such as keyboards and controllers. It offers familiar control experiences for rhythm game fans through single (5-key) and half-double (6-key) modes.

    Gameplay of the popular Pump It Up track “Beethoven Virus” | Image provided by Andamiro

    The game features three main modes—Warm-up, Division, and Challenge—designed to cater to both beginners and experienced players. The early access version includes over 200 tracks. A customization system is also included, allowing users to tailor the game environment to their preferences.


    The title launched simultaneously worldwide and supports nine languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese.

    The game can be accessed through its official Steam page.


    Gameplay screen from the 6-key mode, featuring the remastered track “Radetzky Can Can” | Image provided by Andamiro

    Andamiro views its Steam debut not merely as a platform expansion but as a gateway for a new generation of players to discover Pump It Up. The company plans to incorporate player feedback throughout the early access period and aims for an official launch in January 2026.


    Founded in 1999 with the debut of the Pump It Up series, Andamiro is a leading arcade game company in the global rhythm game market. The series has garnered a broad international fan base, and RISE marks its first official release on Steam, designed to make the franchise more accessible to today’s players.


    Andamiro, which launched the Pump It Up series in 1999, has led the global rhythm game market as a dedicated arcade game developer. The Pump It Up franchise has earned a strong international following, and RISE is the first official Steam release in the series, tailored to help new players experience the game more easily.

    The “Over” screen appears when the gauge reaches its maximum value. This playful sequence is a signature element of the series | Image provided by Andamiro