South Korea Joins the Humanoid Race... LG and KIST Form a Unified Team

Integrated Development of AI, Solid-State Batteries, and Robotics
Goal to Secure Platform by 2030

South Korea has officially entered the global humanoid robot competition. The government, research institutes, and major corporations have joined forces to begin developing a "Korean-style AI humanoid," integrating artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and solid-state battery technologies.

On May 18, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, the launch meeting for the "AI Humanoid Core Technology Advancement Project Based on Public-Private Partnership (2026–2030)," marking the official start of cooperation among industry, academia, research, and the medical sector.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Humanoid robot Atlas unveiled at CES 2026, the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition earlier this year. Photo by Yonhap News.

This project is being promoted as a key initiative within the AI-based national strategic project, "K-Moonshot." The government aims to invest a total of 50.4 billion won by 2030 to secure a "Korean representative AI humanoid platform" that integrates intelligence and physical abilities.

Amid rapidly intensifying competition to develop humanoid robots in the United States, China, and Europe, the government plans to move beyond research and development to a "package-type development" strategy that connects mass production and field demonstration, aiming to secure an early foothold in the market.

Led by KIST, this project brings together industry partners such as LG Electronics, LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution, Robostar, and WeRobotics; academic institutions including Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea University, and Kyung Hee University; and medical institutions such as Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.

AI Brain and Solid-State Battery Integration: "Judgment and Work Like a Human"

The research team will develop next-generation AI models that integratively understand vision, touch, language, and action. The goal is for humanoids to perceive their surroundings like humans, comprehend contact and force, and autonomously plan and execute even complex tasks.

Development of the humanoid platform will proceed in parallel. KIST will advance its proprietary platform "KAPEX," while LG Electronics is tasked with developing the next-generation mass-producible humanoid robot model. WeRobotics will further develop a mobile humanoid robot platform suitable for use in public environments.

LG Energy Solution plans to apply a world-leading high-safety solid-state battery to the robot platform, reducing fire risks and enabling humanoids capable of long-duration work. The government also expects this to help South Korea take the lead in establishing global safety standards.

20 Robots Deployed at Hospitals and Care Sites: Commercialization Verification

The developed humanoids will enter the actual verification phase at medical and care sites. The research team plans to deploy more than 20 humanoid robots, primarily at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, to verify their capabilities in assisting with daily life tasks and delivering public services.

In particular, the plan is to focus on thoroughly evaluating their ability to perform complex, long-term tasks, as well as their safety and reliability in real-world environments, thereby increasing the feasibility of commercialization.

Kim Seongsu, policy chief of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "This project is the starting point for building Korea’s representative AI humanoid platform by integrating AI, humanoid robotics, battery, mass production technology, and demonstration capabilities. We will mobilize all available resources across industry, academia, research, and the medical sector to ensure that South Korea secures leadership in the global AI humanoid market."

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