A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Nine early-stage startups from South Korea recently pitched at DETO 2026 in Seoul, aiming for a place in the Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2027. These startups span various sectors, including healthcare, fintech, energy, semiconductors, and AI, all seeking to expand into the U.S. market. Voinos...
South Korea has unveiled a new humanoid robot data factory designed to teach robots real-world tasks. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of humanoid robots in various applications, including retail, where they will assist in tasks such as presenting information and interacting with cus...
The China-South Korea Embodied Intelligence Forum recently took place, focusing on advancements in physical artificial intelligence. This event highlighted the growing interest and collaboration between the two nations in the field of embodied intelligence technologies. The significance of this for...
South Korea has introduced an advanced robotic strawberry picker capable of harvesting more than 13,000 strawberries in a single day. This innovation marks a significant advancement in agricultural automation, aiming to address labor shortages in the farming sector. The development of this robotic...
Nakajima has launched innovative ice-making equipment designed specifically for robots and unmanned coffee shops in South Korea. This new product aims to enhance operational efficiency and service quality in automated environments, addressing the growing demand for robotic solutions in the food and...
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung announced a historic budget for 2027, increasing total spending by 12.8% to 820.9 trillion won. A significant portion of this budget, 4.7 trillion won, is earmarked for developing a sovereign AI model aimed at achieving the world's highest performance. Additiona...
South Korea is set to deploy approximately 1,700 AI robots across various public-sector organizations in 2027. This initiative aims to create early demand for domestic robotics technology while collecting operational data from real-world applications. The robots will be utilized in fields such as re...
Chinese humanoid robot manufacturers are intensifying their efforts to establish a presence in South Korea, transitioning from entertainment to industrial applications. This shift comes as Seoul increases its investments in physical artificial intelligence, signaling a commitment to integrating adva...
South Korea has approved a trial involving 20 Robros humanoid robots across various industrial sites. This decision, reported by Seoul Economic Daily on October 13, allows for the testing of mobile robots in environments where they will interact with human workers. The trial is part of an industrial...
South Korea is witnessing a surge in entertainment venues featuring advanced robots, including robot baristas and humanoid dancers performing K-pop. This trend reflects a broader shift in the robotics industry, as startups seek to diversify their revenue streams beyond traditional manufacturing. Th...
A recent event showcased 16 humanoid robots performing K-pop dances in Times Square, an initiative backed by a South Korean entertainment technology company. This performance highlights the growing intersection of robotics and entertainment, illustrating how technology can enhance cultural experienc...
Doosan Robotics has been selected to spearhead two government-backed physical AI projects in South Korea, with a total R&D budget of approximately $74 million. The projects will focus on developing on-device AI collaborative robots and intelligent welding systems, with about $51 million funded by th...
This week, South Korea's physical AI sector saw significant advancements, including a collaboration between Semifive and Mobilint on outdoor robotics AI chips. Aidin Robotics joined a Doosan-led cobot initiative, while Hanwha Ocean and Korea Expressway Corp. signed agreements for shipbuilding robots...
South Korea has officially inducted the KF-21 fighter jet into its air force, marking a significant milestone for the nation's defense industry. This development showcases South Korea's growing capabilities in military aviation and its commitment to enhancing national security. The introduction of...
South Korea is set to initiate a significant robot-AI research program in 2027, with early field trials aimed at enhancing technology deployment. Song Chang-jong, head of the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Device AX Innovation Team, presented this strategy at the Humanoid Summit Seoul on September 22...
Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive has entered into a partnership with South Korea’s Verty to facilitate commercial Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in South Korea. The collaboration includes a memorandum of understanding focused on the introduction of SkyDrive’s three-seat SD-05 aircraft, with...
Croatia has signed a deal to acquire the Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which is developed by Hanwha Aerospace. This acquisition marks a significant step in enhancing Croatia's military capabilities. The Chunmoo MLRS is already in service with South Korea and various international mi...
GE Aerospace has announced that it will provide 12 LM2500+G4 marine gas turbine engines for six KDDX-class destroyers being constructed for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The integration of the LM2500+G4 with the KDDX's full electric propulsion system is expected to enhance operational flexibili...
South Korea has announced a significant investment of KRW 2.3 trillion (approximately $1.66 billion) to develop a full-stack humanoid robotics ecosystem by 2030. This initiative, finalized during the Second Fiscal Management Strategy Council on August 27, includes an initial allocation of KRW 600 bi...
South Korea has initiated a large-scale deployment of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) as a strategic response to declining military recruitment numbers. This move highlights the nation's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities while addressing personnel shortages. The significance of this...
During the AI Summit in San Francisco, South Korean President Jae Myung Lee and leading business figures convened with NVIDIA to discuss the nation's AI advancements. This meeting follows NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's recent visit to South Korea and aims to bolster the country's AI infrastructure and ex...
Blackstone has announced its investment in Futronic, a South Korean supplier specializing in high-precision actuators for the automotive and industrial robotics sectors. The deal values Futronic at approximately 1 trillion won, equivalent to $676.04 million, as reported by sources familiar with the...
In a warehouse located in Icheon, South Korea, a fleet of AI-guided robots is sorting garments at a remarkable rate of 3,500 items per hour, approximately four times the output of human workers. Since their deployment, the women's clothing company has reported 'zero losses'—no picking errors and no...
South Korea and the Czech Republic are set to strengthen their collaboration in nuclear energy, robotics, and battery technology, as announced during a national day reception. South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan expressed government support for the Dukovany nuclear project, which includes a...
The South Korean government’s care worker visa program has seen a significant shortfall, with only 41 foreign nationals granted the E-7-2 visa, far below the annual quota of 400. This decline limits the program's effectiveness in addressing labor shortages in elderly care facilities, particularly as...
Yann LeCun, a Turing Award winner, emphasized that the future of artificial intelligence lies in systems capable of understanding and acting in the physical world. During a panel discussion in Seoul, he noted that South Korea could leverage its strengths in manufacturing and robotics to gain a compe...
South Korea is set to address a projected shortage of nearly 1 million care workers by 2043 through the integration of robots and AI monitoring systems in eldercare. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that pilot programs will commence next year in over 400 households across Seongnam, Mokpo...
South Korea will permit AI researchers to fulfill military obligations at large corporate labs starting in 2027, a pathway closed for 14 years. However, strict eligibility criteria have resulted in fewer applications than available slots, raising concerns about the initiative's effectiveness. The p...
Oh Sang-rok, president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), stated that South Korea has the potential to become a significant force in AI humanoids, joining the United States and China. During a public research briefing on September 17 in Seoul, he emphasized the importance of fo...
Jooyeong P&S Corporation, a South Korean packaging innovator, has introduced Ecobundle™, a reusable pallet packaging system designed to replace single-use stretch wrap in logistics. This system can wrap standard pallets in just 1-2 minutes without the need for machinery or training, providing a comp...
Dreame Technology, a Chinese home appliance manufacturer, announced plans to expand its presence in South Korea beyond robot vacuum cleaners. The company aims to establish a localized product ecosystem that includes personal care, kitchen, and living appliances, with robot vacuums serving as the ent...
South Korea plans to allocate over 1 trillion won, equivalent to $707 million, into a new sovereign wealth fund focused on artificial intelligence and other strategic industries next year. This initiative marks the country's entry into a global effort to enhance investment in high-tech sectors. The...
The South Korean government, under President Lee Jae Myung, has initiated a comprehensive industrial policy to enhance its competitiveness in semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and robotics. This strategy, reminiscent of the Heavy and Chemical Industry drive from the 1970s, aims to address market fa...
NVIDIA and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have launched a joint AI research laboratory at the KAIST Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI in Seoul. This initiative aims to advance agentic AI tailored for South Korea, leveraging NVIDIA's full-stack AI expertise and open mo...
Blackstone Inc. has reached an agreement to invest in Futronic, a South Korean company specializing in high-precision actuators for industrial robotics and automotive applications. This investment is significant as it highlights Blackstone's commitment to the robotics sector, particularly in enhanc...
A Seoul-based rocket startup is making strides in the aerospace industry by developing its own launch vehicles and engines. This initiative aims to enhance South Korea's capabilities in space exploration and satellite deployment. The company is leveraging advanced technology and innovative engineeri...
NVIDIA has announced new planned investments in Korean startups during the MSIT-NVIDIA AI Startup Partnership Forum held at COEX. The event, co-hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, brought together representatives from both organizations to discuss the future of AI in the startup ecosystem...
The ROBOTWORLD 2026 exhibition will take place from November 4 to 7, 2026, at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea, featuring 402 companies from 17 countries. The event will focus on Physical AI and AI-driven manufacturing systems, with notable international exhibitors including Advantech from Taiwan, Fanu...
RobotWorld 2026 commenced on November 4 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea, featuring 402 companies from 17 countries. The event, running until November 7, highlights humanoids and AI-driven manufacturing as key themes. Notable exhibits include Rainbow Robotics’ RBY mobile humanoid and Neuromeka’s EIR...
Tokyo Boeki Holdings (TBH) and South Korea's PLAiF have entered into a partnership to explore physical AI-based assembly automation for Japanese manufacturers. This collaboration will involve market feasibility studies, technical evaluations, and potential commercialization, with PLAiF providing dua...
The South Korean Army is developing a vision for a battlefield dominated by drones and robots that will identify threats and mitigate risks before soldiers engage. This initiative is part of the Army TIGER+ program, which aims to transition to an AI-enabled manned-unmanned force by 2040, as demonstr...
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) of South Korea announced that its medical humanoid robot interface, NAMI.I, has won the prestigious IDEA Design Award. This recognition highlights ETRI's commitment to developing user-centered robotic interfaces, following its previous...
An investment of nearly 500 million euros is set for the development of a port in Busan, South Korea, which will be managed by computers and potentially artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and streamline container handling processes. The project is signif...
IonQ, a US quantum computing company, has entered a multi-year partnership with SDT to deploy its Superion 256 quantum computer and silicon-vacancy quantum memory technology in South Korea. This agreement enhances IonQ's presence in the Asia-Pacific region and includes hardware production, system as...
On September 16, Samsung Medical Center in Seoul conducted a simulated surgery with two humanoid robots assisting a surgical team. The robots, dressed in surgical attire, successfully collaborated with the lead surgeon, Professor Woo Nam-ki, by retrieving and delivering surgical instruments upon req...
The South Korean Army is initiating efforts to automate its field maintenance and logistics operations, driven by a projected decline in available personnel. Military officials announced a study aimed at transitioning key maintenance functions to automated systems, forming part of the 'smart field m...
Dreame Technology announced the upcoming launch of its Aqua20 Ultra Roller robot vacuum cleaner in South Korea, set to debut at the 'Dreame in Seoul' event on August 20. This next-generation model features a unique combination of high-temperature steam and a hot-water roller mop, marking it as Korea...
Amazon and Microsoft have positively impacted Asian chip stocks, leading to a significant rise in South Korea's Kospi index, which climbed approximately 14%. This surge reflects growing investor confidence in the semiconductor sector, driven by the robust performance of major tech companies. The in...
South Korea's financial regulators are contemplating a cap on margin trading, proposing to limit individual stock leverage investments to 20% of total financial investments. This decision comes as the KOSPI index experienced a significant drop, falling over 11% and breaking below 6000 points for the...
A US technology company, Grid Dynamics, has formed a strategic partnership with South Korea's Doosan Robotics to promote the use of Physical AI in manufacturing and logistics. This collaboration will provide Doosan's industrial collaborative robot customers with a comprehensive software stack and in...
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