Global Trends That Will Excite Korea in 2026
 |
Description
Book Introduction
“Which industries should we bet on to survive in the next 10 years?”
: A "market radar" for entrepreneurs and planners, a "profit source for the next 10 years" for investors, and a "future career insight" for office workers.
: The essence of 15 years of accumulated global trend predictions, "2026 Global Trends that Korea Will Excite"
A global innovation report that Korean businesses, investors, and policymakers should pay attention to has been published. KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) presents "2026 Global Trends to Excite Korea," a compilation of real-world examples uncovered at 131 trade centers in 85 countries around the world.
The 'World Trends Korea Will Love' series, published by KOTRA and construction companies, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
This report presents 30 global innovation cases, focusing on AI, healthcare, energy, space, and lifestyle.
The "Global Trends Korea Will Be Excited About" series serves as a guidebook to help Korean companies pioneer markets and lead global innovation trends through vivid examples discovered at KOTRA's trade offices around the world.
KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung said, “AI and climate, space, and lifestyle innovations are not simply technological advancements, but solutions to the challenges facing humanity,” adding, “I hope this report will serve as a guide for Korean companies to advance into a sea of new opportunities.”
For businesspeople, the primary readers of this book, it serves as a market compass, for investors as a growth radar, for policymakers as a blueprint for the future, and for working professionals as a career insight.
: A "market radar" for entrepreneurs and planners, a "profit source for the next 10 years" for investors, and a "future career insight" for office workers.
: The essence of 15 years of accumulated global trend predictions, "2026 Global Trends that Korea Will Excite"
A global innovation report that Korean businesses, investors, and policymakers should pay attention to has been published. KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) presents "2026 Global Trends to Excite Korea," a compilation of real-world examples uncovered at 131 trade centers in 85 countries around the world.
The 'World Trends Korea Will Love' series, published by KOTRA and construction companies, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
This report presents 30 global innovation cases, focusing on AI, healthcare, energy, space, and lifestyle.
The "Global Trends Korea Will Be Excited About" series serves as a guidebook to help Korean companies pioneer markets and lead global innovation trends through vivid examples discovered at KOTRA's trade offices around the world.
KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung said, “AI and climate, space, and lifestyle innovations are not simply technological advancements, but solutions to the challenges facing humanity,” adding, “I hope this report will serve as a guide for Korean companies to advance into a sea of new opportunities.”
For businesspeople, the primary readers of this book, it serves as a market compass, for investors as a growth radar, for policymakers as a blueprint for the future, and for working professionals as a career insight.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Prologue: It's Time to Ride the Wave of Opportunity AI Brings
TREND REPORT 1: The AI Era Connecting Humans and Machines
Ordinary Life Redefined by Human-Like Robots ▶▶ Chicago
A leader in the humanoid robot revolution ▶▶ Toronto
From smartphones to cars, innovation in dark factories ▶▶ Beijing
Legal AI service that calculates maximum compensation ▶▶ New York
The era of AI robots diagnosing and performing remote surgeries ▶▶ Propaganda
Artificial intelligence that deepens our understanding of sports ▶▶ New Delhi
Brain-machine interface blurs the line between humans and machines ▶▶ Chengdu
TREND REPORT 2: An Era of Designing Health with Smart Medical Technology
All-in-one allergy test ▶▶ Empty
Self-Health Checkups Become a Lifestyle ▶▶ Los Angeles
Moving Cast Fracture Treatment ▶▶ Copenhagen
AI cancer diagnosis solution that increases the probability of complete cure through accurate analysis ▶▶ Paris
Artificial intelligence introduced to hospitals ▶▶ Zhengzhou
A company that dreams of a world where people can live as they wish ▶▶ Silicon Valley
TREND REPORT 3: The Era of Energy Economics that Heals the Earth
A Warming Earth: Efforts to Turn Back the Last 1 Degree ▶▶ Silicon Valley
How to Plant Trees in the Age of Climate Crisis ▶▶ Bucharest
Translucent roof that saves energy and lets you see the sky ▶▶ Prague
The Future of Carbon-Neutral Architecture: Solar Windows ▶▶ Taipei
The Miracle of Mushrooms Growing Following the Scent of Coffee ▶▶ Brussels
TREND REPORT 4: An Era of Communication Between Nature, the Universe, and Humanity
Space Safety: Protected by AI ▶▶ Lisbon
Project for controlling space exploration robots ▶▶ Munich
A small satellite makes a big difference ▶▶ Sydney
The possibility of coexistence confirmed by the wild fish translator ▶▶ Zurich
Robot bees that resemble nature ▶▶ Frankfurt
TREND REPORT 5: An Era Where Warm Emotions Meet Innovative Technology
A New Companion for the Visually Impaired ▶▶ Hong Kong
The Evolution of Footsteps: Transcending the Limits of Human Movement ▶▶ Chicago
Recovering from daily life with smart prosthetics ▶▶ Mexico City
Innovations in Caregiving in a Super-Aging Society: Smart Excretion Care ▶▶ Fukuoka
The Global Fashion Tech Revolution: A New Future for the Custom Clothing Market ▶▶ Milan
From Bed to Space, This Smart Shirt Reads Your Body ▶▶ Vancouver
I don't have time, but I want to sing, Sabikara ▶▶ Tokyo
15th Anniversary Epilogue: Business Trends Predicted by "Global Trends That Will Excite Korea"
TREND REPORT 1: The AI Era Connecting Humans and Machines
Ordinary Life Redefined by Human-Like Robots ▶▶ Chicago
A leader in the humanoid robot revolution ▶▶ Toronto
From smartphones to cars, innovation in dark factories ▶▶ Beijing
Legal AI service that calculates maximum compensation ▶▶ New York
The era of AI robots diagnosing and performing remote surgeries ▶▶ Propaganda
Artificial intelligence that deepens our understanding of sports ▶▶ New Delhi
Brain-machine interface blurs the line between humans and machines ▶▶ Chengdu
TREND REPORT 2: An Era of Designing Health with Smart Medical Technology
All-in-one allergy test ▶▶ Empty
Self-Health Checkups Become a Lifestyle ▶▶ Los Angeles
Moving Cast Fracture Treatment ▶▶ Copenhagen
AI cancer diagnosis solution that increases the probability of complete cure through accurate analysis ▶▶ Paris
Artificial intelligence introduced to hospitals ▶▶ Zhengzhou
A company that dreams of a world where people can live as they wish ▶▶ Silicon Valley
TREND REPORT 3: The Era of Energy Economics that Heals the Earth
A Warming Earth: Efforts to Turn Back the Last 1 Degree ▶▶ Silicon Valley
How to Plant Trees in the Age of Climate Crisis ▶▶ Bucharest
Translucent roof that saves energy and lets you see the sky ▶▶ Prague
The Future of Carbon-Neutral Architecture: Solar Windows ▶▶ Taipei
The Miracle of Mushrooms Growing Following the Scent of Coffee ▶▶ Brussels
TREND REPORT 4: An Era of Communication Between Nature, the Universe, and Humanity
Space Safety: Protected by AI ▶▶ Lisbon
Project for controlling space exploration robots ▶▶ Munich
A small satellite makes a big difference ▶▶ Sydney
The possibility of coexistence confirmed by the wild fish translator ▶▶ Zurich
Robot bees that resemble nature ▶▶ Frankfurt
TREND REPORT 5: An Era Where Warm Emotions Meet Innovative Technology
A New Companion for the Visually Impaired ▶▶ Hong Kong
The Evolution of Footsteps: Transcending the Limits of Human Movement ▶▶ Chicago
Recovering from daily life with smart prosthetics ▶▶ Mexico City
Innovations in Caregiving in a Super-Aging Society: Smart Excretion Care ▶▶ Fukuoka
The Global Fashion Tech Revolution: A New Future for the Custom Clothing Market ▶▶ Milan
From Bed to Space, This Smart Shirt Reads Your Body ▶▶ Vancouver
I don't have time, but I want to sing, Sabikara ▶▶ Tokyo
15th Anniversary Epilogue: Business Trends Predicted by "Global Trends That Will Excite Korea"
Detailed image
Into the book
“The humanoid robot developed by Figure AI is designed to perceive and judge its surroundings on its own and move accordingly.
The biggest difference is that Helix is a thinking robot that can perceive its surroundings, skillfully handle various objects, and communicate and cooperate with humans like its colleagues.
This feature is well demonstrated in Helix's zero-shot learning capability.
Zero-shot learning is the ability of AI to immediately recognize and process new objects that it has never seen before in its training data.”
--- p.14~15
“Artificial intelligence was advancing rapidly, and the possibilities in the medical field seemed endless.
From smartwatches to MRI scans and blood sugar measurements, people were accumulating more and more health data, but the technology to analyze and utilize it was still lacking.
Shortly thereafter, the three visited a general hospital in France to give a proof-of-concept presentation.
As a result, I became convinced that it was something worth trying.”
--- p.145
“Neural headphones analyze brainwave patterns to detect stress levels in real time.
Even before the user realizes that they are nervous, the headphones pick up the SOS signal from the user's brain.
Neural headphones sound an alarm to suggest rest before burnout sets in.
It's like a pacemaker that helps a marathon runner finish the race.
--- p.169
“Another interesting thing can be found by analyzing the popularity chart of Sabikhara.
Five of the top ten songs on the 2024 Sabikhara charts were released before 2010.
…While general karaoke use has decreased since the pandemic, the number of family karaoke sessions has increased, suggesting that Sabikara is serving as a platform for intergenerational musical connection.”
The biggest difference is that Helix is a thinking robot that can perceive its surroundings, skillfully handle various objects, and communicate and cooperate with humans like its colleagues.
This feature is well demonstrated in Helix's zero-shot learning capability.
Zero-shot learning is the ability of AI to immediately recognize and process new objects that it has never seen before in its training data.”
--- p.14~15
“Artificial intelligence was advancing rapidly, and the possibilities in the medical field seemed endless.
From smartwatches to MRI scans and blood sugar measurements, people were accumulating more and more health data, but the technology to analyze and utilize it was still lacking.
Shortly thereafter, the three visited a general hospital in France to give a proof-of-concept presentation.
As a result, I became convinced that it was something worth trying.”
--- p.145
“Neural headphones analyze brainwave patterns to detect stress levels in real time.
Even before the user realizes that they are nervous, the headphones pick up the SOS signal from the user's brain.
Neural headphones sound an alarm to suggest rest before burnout sets in.
It's like a pacemaker that helps a marathon runner finish the race.
--- p.169
“Another interesting thing can be found by analyzing the popularity chart of Sabikhara.
Five of the top ten songs on the 2024 Sabikhara charts were released before 2010.
…While general karaoke use has decreased since the pandemic, the number of family karaoke sessions has increased, suggesting that Sabikara is serving as a platform for intergenerational musical connection.”
--- p.399~400
Publisher's Review
▶ For you who stand on the wave of global innovation
The only global business trend book
The waves of opportunity carry only the prepared.
That's why innovation isn't a momentary achievement, but comes from continuously reading and responding to trends.
As if to prove that principle, KOTRA will be operating in 85 countries through trade offices around the world as soon as 2025 begins.
We collected innovation cases and key business keywords from 131 cities.
We continuously monitored trends, updating hundreds of keywords, and finally selected 30 innovative cases to complete "Global Trends Korea Will Excite in 2026."
Covering AI, smart healthcare, energy, space, and lifestyle, this report is a "global trend bible" that provides practical business insights to anyone seeking to understand future industry trends.
Through this book, KOTRA presents a wave of opportunity that the Korean economy will face.
Innovation is not a distant story.
It's already next to a Korean company.
Additionally, to maintain performance, you need to focus on reading long-term trends rather than short-term events.
Our next decade depends on our ability to read today's trends.
▶ Draw out practical business insights
Custom Report 30
《2026 Global Trends That Will Excite Korea》 is not just a simple trend guide.
This book is a customized report that allows each reader group to derive practical insights they need.
It presents new market opportunities for entrepreneurs and startup founders seeking to expand overseas.
Humanoid robots, unmanned factories, and AI medical technology are not just technologies; they are signals that can lead directly to business expansion.
It serves as a global benchmarking case for strategic planners and R&D managers at large corporations and serves as a guideline for determining the direction of technology investment over the next five years.
A must-read for venture capitalists and investors.
The trends highlighted in the report are industries still in their early stages of growth, and are noteworthy as potential revenue sources for the next decade.
In fact, global market research firms predict that the humanoid robot market will grow to 76 trillion won by 2032.
For policymakers and researchers in public institutions, it offers innovative solutions to address social challenges such as the climate crisis, labor shortages, and an aging population.
Energy-saving smart buildings, senior care robots, and small satellite communication networks are not simply technologies; they are national strategic tasks.
It is packed with useful information for trend-sensitive 30-something office workers.
Beyond simple future outlook, it provides case studies that can help you concretize your career and investment direction.
Furthermore, it allows you to envision "My 10 Years Later" through proven innovation cases on the global stage, including humanoid robots, smart healthcare, eco-friendly energy, the space industry, and fashion tech.
This book will be the most realistic guidebook for preparing for the future for office workers who want to upgrade both their work and life simultaneously.
▶ A new order of labor and industry created by AI
〈Trend Report 1: The AI Era Connecting Humans and Machines〉 explores the new world and industries created by the combination of AI and robotics.
The American humanoid robot 'Helix' can recognize objects it has never seen before through zero-shot learning, and Canada's 'Phoenix' has a sophisticated sense of touch like a human hand.
China's dark factories are a prime example of unmanned factories that operate 24 hours a day without turning on the lights.
These changes go beyond the simple evolution of automation; they are creating a new labor order where humans and machines collaborate.
For businesses, this change presents a strategy to overcome labor shortages, for investors, a market expected to grow to 76 trillion won, and for policymakers, the challenge of revising ethics and legal systems. The future of industry, ushered in by AI, is no longer an option but a prerequisite for survival.
▶ Health care that starts outside the hospital
〈Trend Report 2: The Era of Designing Health with Smart Medical Technology〉 covers medical innovations such as self-diagnosis kits, AI cancer diagnosis solutions, and remote surgical robots, and discusses technologies that will transcend the boundaries of hospitals.
In the US and Europe, health management is becoming a lifestyle and is becoming widespread.
We are entering an era where patients can measure their own health before visiting a hospital, and AI analyzes this data to connect them with medical professionals.
For entrepreneurs, it offers opportunities to partner with healthcare startups. For investors, it offers explosive growth in AI-based diagnostic companies. For policymakers, it opens up new avenues for preparing for a super-aging society.
Healthcare is no longer a cost, but a growth engine for industry, becoming the infrastructure that supports both the daily care of every individual and the sustainability of society as a whole.
▶ Climate crisis is an opportunity
〈Trend Report 3: The Era of Energy Economics that Heals the Earth〉 covers how each country is responding to the climate crisis and businesses that are attracting attention.
The climate crisis is giving birth to new industries.
From translucent roofs and solar-powered windows to mushrooms grown from coffee grounds, "eco-friendly technologies" are becoming more economical and attractive to investors.
At the same time, these innovations are becoming a means for companies to secure sustainable brand value and an essential choice for future generations.
For startups, it offers a blue ocean of sustainable management, for strategists at large corporations, it strengthens ESG competitiveness, for investors, it provides a long-term source of revenue, and for policymakers, it provides a practical tool for achieving carbon neutrality goals.
The environment is no longer a cost, but a business opportunity, and those who respond first to the climate crisis will take the lead in the market.
▶ Popularization of space business
〈Trend Report 4: The Era of Communication with Mother Nature and the Universe〉 covers the trends of AI protecting space safety and micro-satellites revolutionizing global communications.
In Munich, Sydney, and Zurich, space exploration robots and technologies that coexist with nature are becoming a reality.
Space is no longer the exclusive domain of large government agencies, but a stage for the private sector and startups, and its impact is spreading across the data, communications, and energy industries.
For businesses, it presents opportunities to collaborate with space startups, for investors, it presents opportunities to enter the "new space" market, and for policymakers, it presents the need to strengthen the national space strategy.
Space is no longer the exclusive domain of NASA.
It is already the front line of new business and the next battleground in the global hegemony race.
▶ Redesigning everyday life with body-reading technology
In "Trend Report 5: The Era of Warm Emotions and Innovative Technology," KOTRA highlighted assistive technologies for the visually impaired, smart prosthetic limbs, robots for caring for the elderly, and the customized clothing market.
Technology is advancing in a direction that makes humans ‘warmer.’
Wearable technology and fashion tech are now creating new lifestyles that go beyond mere convenience and reflect both individuality and health.
The cases captured on-site in Milan, Vancouver, and Tokyo offer businesses new consumer markets, investors expanded wearable industries, and policymakers solutions for a hyper-aging society.
Technology ultimately proves to be a tool that enriches people's daily lives, and within it, businesses and society discover new opportunities.
The only global business trend book
The waves of opportunity carry only the prepared.
That's why innovation isn't a momentary achievement, but comes from continuously reading and responding to trends.
As if to prove that principle, KOTRA will be operating in 85 countries through trade offices around the world as soon as 2025 begins.
We collected innovation cases and key business keywords from 131 cities.
We continuously monitored trends, updating hundreds of keywords, and finally selected 30 innovative cases to complete "Global Trends Korea Will Excite in 2026."
Covering AI, smart healthcare, energy, space, and lifestyle, this report is a "global trend bible" that provides practical business insights to anyone seeking to understand future industry trends.
Through this book, KOTRA presents a wave of opportunity that the Korean economy will face.
Innovation is not a distant story.
It's already next to a Korean company.
Additionally, to maintain performance, you need to focus on reading long-term trends rather than short-term events.
Our next decade depends on our ability to read today's trends.
▶ Draw out practical business insights
Custom Report 30
《2026 Global Trends That Will Excite Korea》 is not just a simple trend guide.
This book is a customized report that allows each reader group to derive practical insights they need.
It presents new market opportunities for entrepreneurs and startup founders seeking to expand overseas.
Humanoid robots, unmanned factories, and AI medical technology are not just technologies; they are signals that can lead directly to business expansion.
It serves as a global benchmarking case for strategic planners and R&D managers at large corporations and serves as a guideline for determining the direction of technology investment over the next five years.
A must-read for venture capitalists and investors.
The trends highlighted in the report are industries still in their early stages of growth, and are noteworthy as potential revenue sources for the next decade.
In fact, global market research firms predict that the humanoid robot market will grow to 76 trillion won by 2032.
For policymakers and researchers in public institutions, it offers innovative solutions to address social challenges such as the climate crisis, labor shortages, and an aging population.
Energy-saving smart buildings, senior care robots, and small satellite communication networks are not simply technologies; they are national strategic tasks.
It is packed with useful information for trend-sensitive 30-something office workers.
Beyond simple future outlook, it provides case studies that can help you concretize your career and investment direction.
Furthermore, it allows you to envision "My 10 Years Later" through proven innovation cases on the global stage, including humanoid robots, smart healthcare, eco-friendly energy, the space industry, and fashion tech.
This book will be the most realistic guidebook for preparing for the future for office workers who want to upgrade both their work and life simultaneously.
▶ A new order of labor and industry created by AI
〈Trend Report 1: The AI Era Connecting Humans and Machines〉 explores the new world and industries created by the combination of AI and robotics.
The American humanoid robot 'Helix' can recognize objects it has never seen before through zero-shot learning, and Canada's 'Phoenix' has a sophisticated sense of touch like a human hand.
China's dark factories are a prime example of unmanned factories that operate 24 hours a day without turning on the lights.
These changes go beyond the simple evolution of automation; they are creating a new labor order where humans and machines collaborate.
For businesses, this change presents a strategy to overcome labor shortages, for investors, a market expected to grow to 76 trillion won, and for policymakers, the challenge of revising ethics and legal systems. The future of industry, ushered in by AI, is no longer an option but a prerequisite for survival.
▶ Health care that starts outside the hospital
〈Trend Report 2: The Era of Designing Health with Smart Medical Technology〉 covers medical innovations such as self-diagnosis kits, AI cancer diagnosis solutions, and remote surgical robots, and discusses technologies that will transcend the boundaries of hospitals.
In the US and Europe, health management is becoming a lifestyle and is becoming widespread.
We are entering an era where patients can measure their own health before visiting a hospital, and AI analyzes this data to connect them with medical professionals.
For entrepreneurs, it offers opportunities to partner with healthcare startups. For investors, it offers explosive growth in AI-based diagnostic companies. For policymakers, it opens up new avenues for preparing for a super-aging society.
Healthcare is no longer a cost, but a growth engine for industry, becoming the infrastructure that supports both the daily care of every individual and the sustainability of society as a whole.
▶ Climate crisis is an opportunity
〈Trend Report 3: The Era of Energy Economics that Heals the Earth〉 covers how each country is responding to the climate crisis and businesses that are attracting attention.
The climate crisis is giving birth to new industries.
From translucent roofs and solar-powered windows to mushrooms grown from coffee grounds, "eco-friendly technologies" are becoming more economical and attractive to investors.
At the same time, these innovations are becoming a means for companies to secure sustainable brand value and an essential choice for future generations.
For startups, it offers a blue ocean of sustainable management, for strategists at large corporations, it strengthens ESG competitiveness, for investors, it provides a long-term source of revenue, and for policymakers, it provides a practical tool for achieving carbon neutrality goals.
The environment is no longer a cost, but a business opportunity, and those who respond first to the climate crisis will take the lead in the market.
▶ Popularization of space business
〈Trend Report 4: The Era of Communication with Mother Nature and the Universe〉 covers the trends of AI protecting space safety and micro-satellites revolutionizing global communications.
In Munich, Sydney, and Zurich, space exploration robots and technologies that coexist with nature are becoming a reality.
Space is no longer the exclusive domain of large government agencies, but a stage for the private sector and startups, and its impact is spreading across the data, communications, and energy industries.
For businesses, it presents opportunities to collaborate with space startups, for investors, it presents opportunities to enter the "new space" market, and for policymakers, it presents the need to strengthen the national space strategy.
Space is no longer the exclusive domain of NASA.
It is already the front line of new business and the next battleground in the global hegemony race.
▶ Redesigning everyday life with body-reading technology
In "Trend Report 5: The Era of Warm Emotions and Innovative Technology," KOTRA highlighted assistive technologies for the visually impaired, smart prosthetic limbs, robots for caring for the elderly, and the customized clothing market.
Technology is advancing in a direction that makes humans ‘warmer.’
Wearable technology and fashion tech are now creating new lifestyles that go beyond mere convenience and reflect both individuality and health.
The cases captured on-site in Milan, Vancouver, and Tokyo offer businesses new consumer markets, investors expanded wearable industries, and policymakers solutions for a hyper-aging society.
Technology ultimately proves to be a tool that enriches people's daily lives, and within it, businesses and society discover new opportunities.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: September 10, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 424 pages | 774g | 152*225*26mm
- ISBN13: 9791171258512
- ISBN10: 1171258518
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