Public Procurement Service Supports Leasing of AI Innovative Products Including Social Robots

The Public Procurement Service is supporting the leasing of artificial intelligence (AI) innovative products, such as social robots, for public institutions.

On July 14, the Public Procurement Service announced that it had finalized the list of products for the second round of pilot leasing purchases this year and published the results on the Innovation Marketplace.

Image of an artificial intelligence (AI) social robot. Provided by the Public Procurement Service

The pilot leasing purchase program was introduced this year to expand opportunities to use products that are expensive, require trial use by multiple institutions, or are difficult to purchase outright due to high maintenance burdens.

The 26 innovative products selected for participation in the second round of this year's program include an AI algorithm-based automated recycling collector, an AI social robot, a 3D camera for microscopes, an educational robot for fostering future convergence talent, and content for improving depression. A total of 67 institutions have been chosen to use these products.

Participating institutions will be able to use these innovative products without cost burdens through the leasing program. In addition, companies providing these innovative products will have the opportunity to verify performance and improve their products for commercialization through this program.

Kang Heehoon, Director of New Growth Procurement Planning, stated, "The pilot leasing purchase program is designed and implemented so that companies can test product performance in various institutional environments, while public institutions can use innovative products without the burden of maintenance costs. The Public Procurement Service will continue to introduce diverse pilot purchase methods tailored to product characteristics and on-site demand to support the development and growth of companies' innovative technologies."

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