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Editorials Korea’s Robotics Revolution
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You start your day in the bustling heart of Seoul and stop at a café for your morning coffee. Instead of a barista behind the counter, an ultra-advanced robot greets you with a digital smile. Never grumpy, it takes your order, carefully crafts your fresh cup of caffeine, and hands it to you immediately.
Once you’re at the office, you pull into the parking garage where a robotic valet slides under your car – you jump out and head to your desk as the automated ballet of machinery smoothly maneuvers your car into a tight spot. No more parking dents or scratches. Ever.
At lunchtime, you head to a nearby restaurant with colleagues where a robot delivers your meals just as you arrive; efficiency, maximized. Back at the office, the afternoon slump hits – but no need to worry. A delivery robot arrives with drinks you ordered on an app moments earlier, AI facial recognition software revealing the cargo to deliver that much needed boost.
These are just a few examples of how Korea is embracing the robotics revolution as a next chapter in the country’s fascinating story of development.
Korea is no stranger to integrating cutting-edge tech into everyday life. However, robotics first brought automated efficiency to Korea’s manufacturing sector, turning the country into a global economic powerhouse when it comes to automotive, consumer electronics and semiconductors.
Now, Korea is diversifying the rollout of this robotics tech and rapidly integrating it into public and commercial spaces for personal and professional services, including medical procedures, food service, safety and security, sports, logistics, deliveries and warehousing. Both automated and wearable robotics technology are playing key roles.
Korea is the global leader in robotics adoption, and the newly opened Seoul Robot & AI Museum (RAIM) underscores the nation’s growing commitment to the robotics and artificial intelligence industries. From factory floors to futuristic museums and robot-run buildings, Korea’s robotics revolution is reshaping society.
According to a study by AltIndex.com, Korea leads the world when it comes to robot density, boasting 1,012 robot units per 10,000 employees. Over the past five years, Korea has significantly increased this metric, nearly doubling the robot density. This surge has not only kept Korea ahead of global competitors like China and Germany but has also reinforced its dominance in industrial automation.
However, while the Korea Association of Robot Industry (KAR) acknowledges historical focus on industrial robotics, there is growing interest in expanding into service robots for the public. As a country of convenience, where the population continuously pushes to make life easier through the adoption of technology, it’s no surprise.
“Our country has focused on manufacturing, but we’ve accumulated core components and capabilities, which are extremely important for future developments,” says KAR’s Vice President, Chul Wan Park. Korea’s foundations in advanced robotics positions it well to adopt these new technologies, cementing its global leadership when it comes to robotics technology.
Seoul’s RAIM plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding of robotics. The museum was created to make robotics and AI technologies fun and accessible to all. Interactive exhibits and AI demonstrations give visitors the opportunity to engage directly with future technologies.
According to RAIM’s director Jinwon Lee, the goal is to spark conversations about the societal impacts of this future tech.
“I hope this museum becomes a place where conversations begin,” says Lee. “People often think of science museums as places for learning about science and technology, but I want our museum to spark questions and conversations about future technologies like robots and AI.”
Funded by the Seoul city government, the museum is also a platform for both established tech companies and startups to showcase innovations. It’s designed to blend Korea’s robotics achievements with global trends, feeding local pride and global collaboration.
But the exhibition space is about culture as much as technology, with plans including partnerships with international artists to explore the intersection of robotics and art, turning the museum into a hub for discussion on how these technologies will shape the future globally.
Reinforcing the peninsular nation’s position at the center of global robotics technology, Korea plays host to the annual RobotWorld expo. This event serves as a platform for companies to showcase the latest innovations in manufacturing, logistics, and AI-driven solutions.
According to KAR, this year’s landmark expo demonstrated how AI and robotics are converging. With many Korean corporations operating in the field alongside agile startups, the robotics sector is poised for rapid growth.
“This year was about preparation for change,” says KAR’s Park. “By the next RobotWorld, we should be able to present a very different industry landscape.”
Korea’s robotics revolution is not confined to research and development laboratories, factories and exhibitions. Service robots are making their way into everyday life, from restaurants to office buildings.
The vision at the start of this piece is actually reality. At Factorial Seongsu in Seoul, Hyundai Motor Group’s DAL-e Delivery robot autonomously delivers drinks and packages throughout the building, interfacing seamlessly with the smart infrastructure, including entrance gates and elevators, utilizing facial recognition technology to deliver its cargo.
Factorial Seongsu’s Parking Robot is an equally appealing example of robotics convenience, autonomously parking vehicles in tight urban spaces, increasing parking efficiency. These innovations are part of Hyundai Motor Group’s broader ‘Robot Total Solution’, which aims to transform how we interact with smart buildings.
Similarly, Korean tech giant NAVER has turned its 1784 headquarters into a ‘robot-friendly’ workspace. Around 110 ‘Rookie’ delivery robots transport packages, meals, and drinks across the 27-floor building. Connected symbiotically by 5G and controlled through NAVER’s cloud-based ARC (AI, Robot, Cloud) system, the robots navigate using robot-only elevators called ‘Roboports’ and specially leveled floors.
Employees manage deliveries, order snacks, and track parking via a mobile app. This setup streamlines logistics and serves as a testbed for NAVER’s robotics, AI and cloud tech, offering a taste of the future of human-robot collaboration, today.
The reception to these robots has been positive, with people welcoming the added convenience and efficiency – and in the future they’re likely to become as much a part of daily life in Korea as kimchi, offering solutions to labor shortages and enhancing service delivery.
The adoption of robotics in Korea is not just about technological innovation, it also plays a vital role in boosting the country’s economy. As robots drive productivity, Korea is solidifying its place on the global stage. The integration of robotics into public services and commercial spaces further enhances efficiency, offering significant economic benefits.
“Korea’s high robot density in advanced manufacturing has strengthened its industrial competitiveness,” KAR’s Park believes – and beyond the economic uplift robotics can reap for the country’s economy, the technology could also help solve some societal matters. Park continues:
“As the country faces labor shortages due to low birth rates and rising costs, the increased adoption of industrial robots is crucial to maintaining our leadership in strategic industries. However, as global trends shift toward advanced robotics, Korea must evolve its robotics policies and innovation strategies to keep pace with new players and technological advancements.”
As a country at the core of global robotics adoption, Korea is highlighting its commitment to staying at the forefront of this revolution with the integration of this tech into everyday life. With a future that’s focused on humans and machines working in harmony, Korea’s robotics future looks bright.
Editor. Sean Carson
sean.carson@hyundai.com
Global PR Strategy & Planning · Hyundai Motor Company
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