ALLEX, the humanoid robot platform developed by Korea’s WIRobotics, is expected to begin sales to AI companies and research institutions later this year. (Courtesy of WIRobotics)
Korea’s WIRobotics plans to begin selling its ALLEX humanoid robot platform to AI companies, global Big Tech firms and major research institutions in the fourth quarter, the company told Korea Biomedical Review (KBR) on Friday, with annual production capacity targeted at more than 300 units by the end of 2027.
The company disclosed the timeline on Friday after raising 95 billion won ($63 million) in Series B funding, giving one of Korea’s emerging robotics companies its clearest commercial targets yet for humanoid robots.
WIRobotics said the funding will go mainly toward ALLEX development and mass-production systems.
“The highest priority is ALLEX development and building a mass-production system,” the company told KBR. “We want to quickly build mass production and a global supply chain.”
The humanoid robotics market has drawn heavy investment globally, with companies including Tesla, Figure AI and China’s Unitree racing to develop robots for manufacturing, logistics and other physical work.
For years, WIRobotics was better known for WIM, a walking-assist wearable robot used in mobility support and rehabilitation-related settings.
The company said WIM has sold more than 3,000 units and entered markets including Europe, China, Turkey and Japan.
WIRobotics says that business gave it something many humanoid developers still lack: years of real-world data on how people walk, balance and respond to physical assistance.
“WIM is not simply a wearable robot, but a physical AI platform that learns from real human movement and interaction data,” the company said. “Through this, ALLEX is expected to evolve not just into a robot that maintains balance, but into a next-generation humanoid that moves and interacts naturally like a person.”
The company’s planned California subsidiary will focus on overseas partnerships and distribution agreements for both WIM and ALLEX.
WIRobotics has also discussed manufacturing proof-of-concept projects with global carmakers, though it said that factory applications and deployment timelines have not yet been finalized.
More detailed discussions are expected after 2027, when the company completes Mobile ALLEX, a wheel-based version of the robot.
ALLEX demonstrates precision hand control during a product demonstration by WIRobotics. (Courtesy of WIRobotics)
WIM is already being used in some Korean hospitals for research purposes, according to a company spokesperson, though it has not yet received domestic medical device approval.
WIRobotics said the certification process is in its final stage and is expected to finish within the first half of 2026.
That approval would allow the company to move more directly into rehabilitation and clinical settings in Korea, where hospitals generally require certified devices for broader medical use.
After approval, WIRobotics said it plans to distribute WIM through specialist medical device partners.
The company said ALLEX is built around robotic hands and arms designed to respond more naturally to force and physical contact.
“ALLEX is characterized by a high-degree-of-freedom robotic hand that can feel the direction of force and resistance like a person and naturally comply with external force,” the company said.
It added that the robot arm uses lower-friction and lower-inertia mechanisms than existing collaborative robot arms, which it said could allow ALLEX to perform precise tasks while interacting more safely with people.
The Series B round was led by JB Investment. Other participants included InterVest, Hana Ventures, Smilegate Investment, SBVA, NH Investment & Securities, Company K Partners, GU Investment and FuturePlay.
Kim Ji-hye
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