Doosan Robotics (454910.KS) will complete an expansion of OnExia, the company it acquired to build a robot manufacturing hub in North America, within the third quarter and begin full-scale efforts to meet local demand. The project to develop intelligent robot solutions by combining its existing hardware capabilities with OnExia's artificial intelligence (AI) technology will also gain momentum.
According to industry sources Tuesday, Doosan Robotics will complete in September an expansion of the end-of-line (EOL) automation systems at OnExia, its US robot solutions subsidiary. Once the expansion is complete, OnExia's production capacity will double from current levels. Doosan Robotics has also secured a site that can expand production capacity up to fourfold in the future to handle order volumes.
Since acquiring OnExia, a US robot software specialist, in September last year, Doosan Robotics has accelerated efforts to achieve top-line growth in the local market. According to Doosan Robotics, OnExia's order backlog reached 13.5 million dollars (about 20.4 billion won) in the first quarter of this year, more than triple the 3.9 million dollars at the end of 2024.
OnExia is regarded as the key for Doosan Robotics to move beyond its existing business structure centered on collaborative robots and make intelligent robot solutions a new growth engine. By combining OnExia's AI solution capabilities with products such as robotic arms manufactured by Doosan Robotics, the company aims to internalize a turnkey solution supply system spanning planning to installation and operation. Through this, the strategy is to effectively respond to large-scale volumes arising in the North American market and gain an edge in the global supply chain. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the North American collaborative robot market is projected to grow at an annual average rate of 21 percent, from 600 million dollars last year to 3.1 billion dollars by 2033.
In March, Doosan Robotics invested about 24 billion won in its US subsidiary and is also building a new collaborative robot plant in Pennsylvania, where OnExia's production facilities are located. The move is aimed at establishing a key manufacturing hub in North America, the largest market for robot automation, while minimizing US tariff uncertainties. Doosan Robotics has recently tripled its local marketing staff in the US and is aggressively pursuing sales activities.
As Doosan Robotics proactively builds infrastructure and expands its presence in North America, expectations are growing that its push to escape losses will also gain traction. Doosan Robotics America, which merged with OnExia, posted a net loss of 1.5 billion won in the first quarter of this year. Doosan Robotics also recorded an operating loss of 12.1 billion won during the same period, continuing a loss situation that has lasted more than 10 years.
