Sampyo Group Signs Business Agreement With KAIST Manufacturing Physical AI Lab

Applying Automation Solutions Across the Entire Process

Sampyo Industrial, an affiliate of Sampyo Group, announced on February 12 that it has signed a business agreement with the KAIST Manufacturing Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab.

Lee Jongsuk, president of Sampyo Industries (third from the right in the photo), and Jang Youngjae, professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (third from the left), are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement at the Business Center on the 6th floor of the Ima Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Sampyo Group

This agreement was prepared to move away from the conventional mortar production method that relied on workers' experience and to achieve process automation based on data and AI. Sampyo Industrial plans to collaborate with an external expert group to jointly promote government-supported projects, thereby reducing the risks of technology adoption and enhancing its expertise.

Physical AI is a technology in which machines and robots recognize their environment through systems and sensors, analyze and judge the collected data in real time, and minimize human intervention. The KAIST Manufacturing Physical AI Lab plays a role in carrying out demonstration projects based on such core Physical AI technologies.

Through this project, Sampyo Industrial plans to apply the latest automation solutions to the entire process, from the receipt of raw materials to storage, drying, mixing, packaging, and shipment. First, at the inbound and outbound stages of the production process, the company will introduce an unmanned "Raw Material Electronic Invoice (QR) System." When raw materials are received, inspection and storage are carried out in an unmanned manner using QR codes, and the system automatically places orders for insufficient materials based on its own judgment. In addition, the company will build an "Automatic Ordering System" in which AI analyzes inventory levels and production plans in real time and automatically orders raw materials, thereby maximizing logistics efficiency.

In the core area of manufacturing facilities, sensors will automatically measure the "sand moisture content (water content)" that determines quality, and the drying facilities will operate in an optimal state based on these measurements. In addition, by introducing technology that monitors equipment conditions in real time and notifies operators of maintenance timing before failures occur, the company will prevent unnecessary downtime.

At the final shipment stage, unmanned forklifts will transport packaged products, and automated equipment will handle the loading work for Bulk Cement Trailer (BCT) operations, preventing safety accidents at worksites.

Sampyo Industrial has established a mid- to long-term roadmap that starts with finalizing its automation concept this year and aims to expand its application to all plants by 2029. The company expects to dramatically shorten the lead time from order to shipment and to achieve energy cost savings.

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