Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Division of Electronic Engineering Professor Hyung-gi Cho's research team developed the portable spatial information acquisition device 'SnapSpace', which won an Innovation Award in the Construction & Industrial Tech category at CES 2026.

This achievement is the result of end-to-end support—from research and development to technology commercialization and participation in international exhibitions—provided through the RISE (Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System) program that JBNU is implementing with support from the Ministry of Education and Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province.

In particular, it is significant that JBNU's capabilities in AI and robotics have been recognized as competitive on the global stage.

SnapSpace is an ultra-lightweight, portable spatial information acquisition device that applies multi-sensor fusion-based SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology. It can recognize and map three-dimensional structures of indoor and outdoor environments in real time. Its lightweight, low-power SLAM algorithm, which enables precise spatial mapping without expensive LiDAR equipment, received high praise.

It was developed with multiple national R&D supports, including the National Research Foundation of Korea's Excellent Early-Career Research Program, IITP's Regional Intelligence Innovation Talent Training Project, and NIPA's industry-specialized Physical AI leading-model PoC. The project's completeness was further enhanced through technology development support based on industry–university–research collaboration by the JBNU RISE Project Group, prototype fabrication and performance improvement, and support for participation in global exhibitions.

SnapSpace has been developed on various platforms, such as helmet-mounted and handheld forms, and is regarded as a technology with high potential for application across industries including construction, safety, logistics, indoor navigation, and mobility assistance for the visually impaired.

Professor Hyung-gi Cho said, "SnapSpace is an innovative technology that converts conventional large-equipment-centered spatial mapping into an ultra-lightweight, portable platform. The systematic support from the JBNU RISE Project Group accelerated the research and development and global expansion. I am grateful to the team members who conducted the research, members of the Division of Electronic Engineering, and the JBNU RISE Project Group."

He added, "We will continue to develop a large-scale robotics platform at JBNU that leads global industrial change by advancing convergent Physical AI and spatial AI technologies."

Son Jeong-min, Director of the JBNU RISE Project Group (Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation), said, "The Innovation Award for SnapSpace at CES is a representative case showing that when the RISE program's systematic support is combined with the research capabilities of a region-based university, it is possible to secure competitiveness in the global market. We will strengthen support so that regional innovative technologies can achieve greater results on the global stage."

Meanwhile, JBNU will operate a JBNU exhibition booth in Eureka Park at CES 2026 to showcase SnapSpace and other major outcomes of industry–university–research collaboration and innovative technologies. The university exhibition booth has, year after year, established itself at CES as a global platform for the commercialization of university-based technologies, and high interest from overseas buyers and investors is expected at this year's show as well.