(Ministry of Science and ICT)
South Korea has launched a 50.4 billion won ($33.8 million) public-private initiative to develop artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid robots and platforms.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said Monday it held a kickoff meeting for the public-private cooperative AI humanoid technology project at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
The project brings together industry, academia, research institutes and hospitals under a joint framework aimed at integrating hardware, software and AI core components into a single development package. It also involves end users and companies to ensure research results can be translated into mass production and real-world deployment, the ministry said.
The initiative is part of the national K-Moonshot program to accelerate scientific and technological innovation using AI. The government plans to develop a representative Korean AI humanoid platform integrating cognitive and physical capabilities by 2030.
KIST will lead the project, alongside LG Electronics Inc., LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution Ltd., Robostar Co., and WIRobotics, as well as Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea University, Kyung Hee University, and Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.
The collaboration is expected to establish a coordinated system linking research, commercialization and demonstration stages.
At the kickoff meeting, participating institutions presented detailed research topics and implementation plans and agreed to cooperate to advance outcomes into industrial and public applications.
For the humanoid platform, KIST’s proprietary KAPEX system will serve as the foundation, while LG Electronics will develop next-generation mass-production humanoid robot models. WIRobotics will advance mobile humanoid platforms designed for use in a range of public environments.
Core research will focus on improving humanoid intelligence. Researchers will develop next-generation AI models capable of integrating vision, touch, language and action, enabling robots to perceive their surroundings, interpret physical interactions and autonomously plan and execute complex tasks.
LG Energy Solution plans to apply its high-safety solid-state battery technology to robot platforms, aiming to reduce fire risk while enabling longer operating times and supporting global safety standards for humanoid systems.
The technologies developed will be tested in medical and care environments, including Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.
More than 20 humanoid robots will be deployed in real-world settings to assess long-term complex task performance, including assistance with daily living and public services, while validating safety and reliability.
“The project marks an initial step toward building a representative Korean AI humanoid platform and securing a leading position in the global humanoid robotics market,” the ministry said.
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