Robotics competition escalates, South Korea falls behind China and the United States in humanoid robot development.
Headline: Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage in South Korea's Race to Lead the Global Robotics Market
South Korea is making serious strides in the realm of humanoid robot development, with key collaborations, alliances, and major players fueling this surge. Here's a rundown of the latest developments:
Collaborations and Alliances
- Hyundai’s Push into Humanoid Robotics:
- HD Hyundai has teamed up with Persona AI and Vazil Company to create humanoid robots designed to take on intricate welding tasks in shipyards. The goal is to boost productivity and safety by 2027.
- LG Innotek and Boston Dynamics:
- LG Innotek has entered into an agreement with Boston Dynamics to collaborate on the creation of a vision-based detection system. LG Innotek focuses on hardware vision sensors, while Boston Dynamics handles the software.
- Samsung Electronics Steps into the Game:
- Samsung officially joined the humanoid robotics scene with the acquisition of Rainbow Robotics in March 2025, a move expected to expedite the development of humanoid robots.
Major Players in the Game
- Hyundai Motor: Although not directly involved in humanoid robot development, Hyundai Motor relies heavily on industrial robots in its operations. But the broader Hyundai group is active through HD Hyundai's initiatives.
- Samsung Electronics: With its acquisition of Rainbow Robotics, Samsung is now an active player in humanoid robotics.
- LG Innotek: Alongside Boston Dynamics, LG Innotek is working on co-developing a vision-based detection system.
Government Support
- The South Korean government has identified robotics as a strategic national technology aimed at strengthening its global competitiveness in humanoid robotics by integrating AI and robotics technologies. The government intends to back the development through specialized graduate schools, tax incentives, and infrastructure development.
The Road Ahead
- South Korea aspires to achieve global top-tier status in humanoid robotics by 2027.
- Despite progress, South Korea still finds itself playing catch-up with the United States and China in the humanoid robotics sphere, but ongoing collaborations and investments are expected to catapult its growth.
- The integration of artificial intelligence and robotics technologies by the South Korean government is a strategic move aimed at boosting the nation's competitiveness in the global economy, particularly within the field of humanoid robotics.
- South Korea's push towards the development of humanoid robots is not only limited to major corporations such as Hyundai, Samsung, and LG, but also extends to smaller companies like Rainbow Robotics.
- The collaboration between LG Innotek and Boston Dynamics on a vision-based detection system is a significant step in the advancement of technologies within the industry, demonstrating the convergence of arts, technology, and business in the pursuit of progress.
- As South Korea continues to invest in humanoid robotics and AI, it may impact various sectors, including the environment, arts, and business, potentially reshaping the way industries operate and arts are produced, and influencing the overall trajectory of the nation's economic growth.
