Beyond China, South Korea seems to be one of the most active Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries in the field of AI robotics. Major players entering this field include manufacturing and Internet giants such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and Naver. These companies are actively investing in and developing embodied AI and humanoid technologies, aiming to turn them into new growth opportunities.

Additionally, an increasing number of emerging startups in South Korea are focusing on building AI-driven, general-purpose robots. These include ROBROS, Holiday Robotics, AeiRobot, and WIRobot. According to our internal tracker, as of the current date, ​at least eight Korean companies have unveiled humanoid robots​. Among these, several impressive technologies have emerged, such as back-drivable joint design and control technology that enables safer and more compliant movements.

At the heart of developing AI robots is achieving the deep integration of AI capabilities with robotic hardware. South Korea is actively pushing forward the development of its AI industry development and the new government recently announced in its economic growth strategy that it sees AI as an important technology to reignite economic growth, with the goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers. In the industry, leading Korean companies such as Samsung, NAVER, Kakao, KT, and LG have all launched large AI models catering to the South Korean domestic market, and these have been in use for some time.

Moreover, South Korea’s strong foundation in the robotics industry has provided the hardware infrastructure needed for AI embodiment in robots. Industrial robots, collaborative robots, industrial AGV/AMR, and commercial service robots have all been widely adopted at scale in South Korea. According to our research, the revenue of South Korea’s commercial and industrial robot market reached 1.2 trillion KRW in 2024, with corresponding shipments amounting to over 45,000 units. Industrial robots accounted for nearly 70% of revenue and 50% of shipments in 2024, followed closely by commercial service robots[1][2]. In the global industrial robot segment, South Korea has the highest density, with the adoption of these robots being largely driven by the country’s strong automotive and electronics manufacturing sectors. In the service robot sector, the number of robots used for commercial delivery and cleaning has also seen significant growth over the past year.

The South Korean commercial service and industrial robot market is currently dominated by industrial robots

[1] The data is sourced from multiple robotic research reports released by Interact Analysis, including Industrial Robots, Collaborative Robots, Mobile Robots, and Humanoid Robots, as well as the specific research into the South Korean market, such as the 3D Vision for South Korean Commercial and Industrial Mobile Robots.

[2] The commercial service robots covered here include robots providing commercial delivery service, hospitality service and cleaning service.

However, South Korea’s robot industry has also been facing increasing global competition. In warehouse logistics and commercial delivery, Chinese robot manufacturers are competing actively in the market. In 2024, robots from Chinese manufacturers accounted for more than 50% of South Korea’s industrial mobile robot and commercial service robot markets. As a result, overseas markets have gradually become a new battlefield for many local South Korean manufacturers. In the mobile robot space, many local companies are making great efforts to develop overseas markets. Even in the emerging humanoid robot sector, South Korean players are pursuing global markets through overseas investments. Following Hyundai Motor’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics, LG Electronics and Mirae Asset recently announced a joint investment in AGiBot, a Chinese humanoid robot company.

Although AI-driven robots are not in widespread use today, building intelligent robots capable of solving complex tasks through the integration of AI technology has become an important trend. We pay close attention to the development of AI and its use in robotics. We hope to research, categorize, and analyze current technology and market development of AI in robots, evaluating its potential impact on the entire robotics industry. As part of this work, South Korea will be one of the key markets we continue to track.

To learn more about Interact Analysis Humanoid Robots – 2025 report, current market vendors and our detailed market projections, reach out directly to marco.wang@interactanalysis.com