The South Korean government is teaming up with private companies including LG Electronics and WIRobotics to develop core technologies for a "Korean-style artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid" in a project worth 50.4 billion won. The plan aims to develop humanoids that can be used in real-world medical and caregiving settings, reducing dependence on foreign platforms and laying the foundation for a self-sufficient domestic humanoid industry.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced the plan on Tuesday at a kickoff meeting for the "Public-Private Partnership-Based AI Humanoid Core Technology Advancement Project," held at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
From this year through 2030, the government will invest a total of 50.4 billion won — 35.4 billion won in state funding and 15 billion won from the private sector — to build the "K-AI Humanoid Platform." Domestic researchers currently rely on foreign humanoid platforms such as China's Unitree G1 for their humanoid research. To overcome this, the government plans to manufacture more than 20 humanoid robots by 2030 for use in multi-user group residential facilities such as hospitals and welfare centers. The humanoid robots being developed will perform tasks such as cleaning and organizing living spaces, sorting recyclables and delivering supplies within hospital wards.
"The task completion rate of currently disclosed humanoids is around 30 percent, and their daily operating time is only three to four minutes," said Lee Jong-won, head of KIST's Humanoid Research Division. "Through this project, we will develop a humanoid that can be used eight hours a day for an entire month and roll out a package product with a task completion rate of more than 90 percent."
A total of 11 institutions are participating in the project, with KIST serving as the lead organization. Industry partners include LG Electronics, LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution, Robostar and WIRobotics, while academic participants include Seoul National University, KAIST, Korea University and Kyung Hee University. Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital is also taking part. The institutions will carry out 11 detailed tasks, developing core humanoid technologies — including physical AI, learning software, sensory hardware and data infrastructure — as a package. LG Energy Solution plans to apply solid-state battery technology to the robot platform to reduce fire risks and enhance stability during long operating hours.
Platform development will be based on "KAPEX," a humanoid independently developed by KIST, with LG Electronics and WIRobotics enhancing it into mass-production and mobile models. "We will pool the capabilities of industry, academia, research institutes and hospitals to swiftly drive technology development, on-site demonstrations and mass production, and do everything we can to ensure that Korea secures leadership in the global AI humanoid market," said Kim Sung-soo, head of the R&D Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT.
