"Robot-Made Chicken, Amazingly Impressive"... Digital Distribution Expo Atmosphere 'Heated Up'

At COEX from 23rd to 25th... Over 200 Corporate Booths
SSG.com, Coupang, Mesh Korea, and Others Participate

On the 23rd, at the 1st Digital Distribution Expo held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, key guests including Park Jin-gyu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry, observed the manufacturing process of the chicken robot 'Robert Chicken' at the RoboArte booth. From the left: Vice Minister Park, Lee Je-hoon, CEO of Homeplus, Yoon Sung-ro, Chairman of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee, and Kim Kyung-man, member of the Democratic Party. Photo by Moon Hye-won, Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] "It's truly amazing that a robot makes chicken. The smell was so good that I found myself lining up without realizing it." (Gangnam-gu, Seoul, self-employed person in their 40s, Mr. A)

At 2 p.m. on the 23rd, the smell of freshly roasted chicken began to fill the air at the 1st Digital Distribution Expo held at COEX Exhibition Mall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. 'Robert Chicken,' operated by RoboArte, held a tasting event where robot-made chicken was distributed free of charge starting at 2 p.m. Despite the ban on eating inside the venue due to COVID-19 precautions, the booth was so popular that the queue of visitors wanting to try the chicken surrounded the entire booth.

The robot barista of Coffee Bay set up at the booth on-site at the '1st Digital Distribution Expo' held at COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Moon Hyewon, Asia Economy

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and brought together domestic e-commerce companies, startups, and experts to share the latest technologies and trends in digital distribution. In addition to Robert Chicken, about 200 booths were set up by companies such as Dtteok, Coffee Bay, Robosis (meal kit HMR unmanned operation platform), Coupang, SSG.com, and Mesh Korea.

The event showcased technologies to promote online and contactless transactions after COVID-19, including real-time delivery, unmanned payment systems, and eco-friendly packaging. The sight of cleaning robots frequently cleaning the exhibition floor also caught visitors' attention.

Franchise coffee specialty brand Coffee Bay demonstrated its 'robot barista' at the exhibition, operating at its Gasan direct store and Homeplus Ganseok store. The robot barista system handles the entire process of making espresso drinks and serving customers, which is usually done by store employees.

On the 23rd, at the 1st Digital Distribution Expo held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ahn Cheol-min, Executive Director in charge of SCM at SSG.com (center), is introducing eco-friendly microbial ice packs and refrigerated electric delivery vehicles to Park Jin-gyu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (right). Photo by Moon Hye-won, Asia Economy

SSG.com introduced its state-of-the-art logistics system built with automation equipment, refrigerated and frozen electric delivery vehicles, reusable insulated bags called Albi Bags, and microbial ice packs as part of its eco-friendly services. The microbial ice pack is characterized by containing water and photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) inside the pack. These microbes are known for decomposing organic matter, purifying water, and reducing odors, making them widely used in eco-friendly farming and aquarium cleaning. At home, they can be poured into plant pots as a natural fertilizer. The pack, made from recycled paper, can be easily disposed of as paper waste.

The opening ceremony was attended by Park Jin-gyu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Yoon Seong-ro, Chairman of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee; Lee Je-hoon, CEO of Homeplus; Choo Kyung-min, Vice President of Coupang; and Kwak Jung-woo, Head of SSG.com, among other government and industry officials.

Lee Je-hoon, who also serves as the chairman of the Distribution Industry Association, said in his opening remarks, "The Korean distribution industry environment is in a period of upheaval. Not only consumer needs but also retail formats are changing, and the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies are rapidly integrating with distribution, causing the paradigm to shift quickly. The Distribution Industry Association will play a pivotal role in supporting each other to realize shared values for the national economy and the development of the distribution industry."

Vice Minister Park said, "We will expand the product standard data, the foundation of the digital distribution industry, to over 3 million items and actively support the digitalization of joint logistics centers and the development of new technologies for small and medium distribution companies. As digital transformation and innovation in the distribution sector proceed rapidly, please also make efforts to uphold the fundamental values of worker safety and consumer protection." Earlier, Vice Minister Park showed interest by personally touching the eco-friendly insulated Albi Bag at the SSG.com booth.

Meanwhile, regarding the recent fire accident at Coupang's Deokpyeong logistics center, which has attracted national attention, Coupang Vice President Choo Kyung-min refrained from commenting, saying to reporters, "There is nothing I can say right now. Today, we will introduce Coupang's regional investment and job creation efforts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.