"Science as Play"... KAIST to Host Interactive Science Exhibitions in Daejeon and Gyeonggi

Interactive science exhibitions that allow visitors to enjoy science like play will be held consecutively in Daejeon and Gyeonggi Province. At these events, visitors can experience future technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), humanoid robots, and space rovers all in one place.

KAIST announced on the 10th that, in celebration of Science Month (April), it will participate in the nation’s largest science festival, the “2026 Korea Science & Technology Festival,” and operate “KAIST Play World,” an interactive exhibition hall showcasing the pinnacle of AI and robotics.

The exhibition will be divided and operated as the “2026 Korea Science Festival in Daejeon (April 17-19 at DCC)” and the “2026 Korea Science Festival in Gyeonggi (April 24-26 at Ilsan KINTEX).” By applying the “Play World” concept, the event will feature experience-oriented content tailored to the characteristics of each generation.

A humanoid showcased at the Daejeon Exhibition Hall is climbing a steep hiking trail on its own. KAIST

◆ Family-Oriented Experiences & Outings = The exhibition in Daejeon will consist of “future technology experience content,” which allows visitors to directly engage with KAIST’s key research achievements, including advanced robots, space technology, and AI semiconductor technologies.

On the 17th, a humanoid robot will be unveiled. This robot is equipped with control technology developed by Eurobotics Co., Ltd., a startup founded by Professor Myung Hyun’s research team at the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering. It can walk naturally not only in industrial settings but also in urban environments.

On the 19th, a humanoid robot developed by Professor Park Haewon’s team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering will demonstrate complex human movements such as duck walking and the moonwalk, showcasing the potential for real-world industrial applications.

Professor Lee Daeyoung’s team from the Department of Aerospace Engineering will present the world’s first “deployable lunar exploration rover wheel,” which incorporates origami techniques. On site, visitors will have the opportunity to fold various space systems using origami and physically interact with shape-changing wheel models. There will also be an exhibition and demonstration of a space rover by Unmanned Exploration Institute Co., Ltd., a co-developer of the technology.

On the same day, the student startup Liar Games will run an experience zone for the abstract strategy board game “Dual Focus,” in which participants can compete one-on-one against AI. Much like chess or janggi, “Dual Focus” offers deep strategic gameplay, but anyone can learn it in five minutes and immediately immerse themselves in the game, likely stimulating visitors’ desire to take on the AI challenge.

Professor Jaemin Hwangbo's quadruped walking robot "Laibo" to be showcased at the Ilsan Exhibition Center in Gyeonggi-do. KAIST

◆ Stimulating Curiosity for Millennials & Gen Z = The Gyeonggi exhibition, to be held at KINTEX from April 24-26, will focus on “life-oriented experience content” centered on AI and daily-life technologies.

At the event, the quadruped robot “Raibo,” developed by Professor Jemin Hwangbo’s team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will demonstrate its locomotion technology. This robot is capable of high-speed movement over complex terrain such as sand, stairs, and debris, and is expected to be used in disaster rescue and search missions.

Professor Nam Taekjin’s team from the Department of Industrial Design will present the “Future Memory Studio,” which uses AI to simulate what you will look and sound like ten years from now, offering a new experience where you can meet and converse with your future self. Visitors will receive a four-frame photo as a souvenir, capturing a moment that is the future for their current self but a memory for their future self.

Professor Yoon Yoonjin’s team from the Urban AI Research Institute at KAIST will introduce “AI-based Heatwave Consumption Index Technology,” which analyzes the impact of climate change on small business sales. The team will showcase time-series AI-based sales forecasting and generative AI technologies that visualize and sonify the data.

On April 24 at 3 p.m., Professor Yoon will also give a lecture titled “AI’s Urban Walk: Urban AI and the Future of Cities” at a KINTEX conference room.

Visitors are gathering at the KAIST exhibition hall set up at last year's Science Festival to observe the technology implementation process. KAIST

In addition, student startup Rabbithole Company will showcase a new type of game in which AI characters (AI NPCs) interact, collaborate, and solve given problems together. Instead of directly controlling the characters, visitors can set situations or goals and observe how the AI autonomously creates and develops the story.

Through these exhibitions in Daejeon and Gyeonggi Province, KAIST aims to lower the barriers to science and technology, providing the public with opportunities to approach science easily and enjoyably. The exhibits are designed to vividly demonstrate how technologies developed in research labs can be applied to real life and drive change.

KAIST President Lee Kwanghyung stated, “This year’s science festival will be a large-scale event connecting Daejeon and Gyeonggi, allowing more citizens to directly experience KAIST’s research achievements. I hope the exhibition becomes a meaningful opportunity to inspire dreams and curiosity about science as visitors get a preview of the future shaped by robots and AI.”

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