AI and robotics technology have transformed the industrial landscape in South Korea. According to data released by the U.S. International Trade Administration in 2024, there are 1,012 robots installed per 10,000 manufacturing workers in South Korea, a figure more than six times the global average. The country is also actively investing in research and development to accelerate robot innovation and technological advancement. In 2024, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced the 4th Basic Plan for Intelligent Robots, which includes an investment of over KRW 22.4 billion in the public and private sectors by 2030.

In this era of technological transition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) have joined forces to aim for a "robot-friendly city." They hosted the "2025 Seoul AI Robot Show" at COEX from September 30 to October 2, 2025. This event is expected to be the first stage to showcase Seoul's robot industry development policies and industrial ecosystem.



The 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show, held under the theme "On my side, ROBOT," focused on depicting the reality of robots entering everyday spaces rather than just factories and laboratories. The aim was to build public consensus on living with robots and to narrow the psychological distance between humans and machines. Additionally, it provided a platform for domestic companies and talents to showcase and develop their robotic technologies.

Kim Hyun-woo, CEO of SBA, stated, "The Seoul AI Robot Show is not just an exhibition but a crucial opportunity to leap towards a 'robot-friendly city Seoul' encompassing citizen experience, industry, and investment linkage," adding, "We will create a platform where industry, citizens, and policies meet, allowing Seoul to establish itself as a global hub for the robot industry."

Programs to Experience and Engage with Robots

The 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show offers a variety of experience programs beyond technology exhibitions, including a wearable robot challenge, robot arm experience, robot portrait service, and Go matches.

The wearable robot challenge involves wearing a strength-assisting robot to lift heavy boxes. Fitness YouTuber 'Malwang' participated as a guest, competing in strength challenges with citizens. Comedian Lee Seung-yoon is also expected to participate in the event.



The needle threading experience using a precision robot arm is also noteworthy. Participants who succeed in threading a needle with the robot arm receive a sewing kit as a gift. AI Go robots and Omok matches are also held. The quadruped robot race features companies like Clobot, KRM, Openpass Robotics, Youngin Robotics, and Deep Robotics competing on an obstacle course. Citizens can participate in a mini race.

The artist robot portrait service allows robots to draw portraits of visitors. AI counseling and life cut services are also attractions at the 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show.

A humanoid robot sports competition is also being held. Organized in cooperation with the Federation of International Robot-sports Association (FIRA), 22 teams compete in four events: archery, sprinting, weightlifting, and the traditional Korean game of stone throwing. Each event presents technical challenges for the robots. Archery requires precise control and stability, sprinting demands balance and speed, and weightlifting requires driving power and control ability. Through these challenges, participating teams will demonstrate the comprehensive performance of their robots on the world stage.



The Extreme Robot Competition is prepared in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Robot Convergence. Ten participating teams perform real-world missions in four courses simulating disaster situations, such as rough terrain driving, obstacle passing, fire suppression, and rescue operations. The competition evaluates the applicability of the technology in real-world scenarios by implementing environments close to actual field conditions.

Industry-targeted events such as the Robot Expert Forum and Business-Investor Meetups are also held. The Robot Expert Forum is a venue to diagnose the current state of robot technology and present a future blueprint. Speakers include Dennis Hong, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCLA, Kim Sang-bae, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, Kong Kyung-chul, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, Kim Ik-jae, Director of AI and Robotics Research Institute at KIST, and Choi Ri-gun, Executive Vice President of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group.

The Business-Investor Meetup is an investment consultation event connecting 25 robot companies with 11 investment firms. It is expected to be an opportunity for robot companies to find growth opportunities and for investors to discover promising robot companies early.

Showcasing Domestic and International Robot Technology

The "Extreme Robots" exhibition hall is a highlight of the 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show. It showcases intelligent robot technology that autonomously performs missions in unpredictable and harsh environments such as disaster sites, deep sea, and space. Visitors can get a comprehensive view of robot technology operating in extreme environments.



The Unmanned Exploration Research Institute exhibited lunar exploration equipment rovers, and POSTECH displayed deep-sea exploration robots Cyclops and Hero-Blue. Hyundai Rotem unveiled an unmanned firefighting robot developed with the Fire Department. Based on the multipurpose unmanned vehicle HR-Sherpa, it is equipped with fire suppression equipment. A prototype was produced in 2024 for performance demonstrations, and four firefighting robots are scheduled to be supplied in 2025. Additionally, Didden Robotics showcased Didden30, a robot used in steel structure environments such as shipyards, steel bridges, and refineries.



An exhibition space showcasing the history of Korean robots was also prepared. The exhibition is presented in various forms, including interactive media art and period-specific robot displays. Interactive media art reveals humanoids developed from the 1990s to the present as visitors approach the screen. The period-specific robot exhibition space features various robots, from Korea's first humanoid robots Ami and Jenibo to the recently developed Amy, demonstrating how technology has evolved over time. A space for simple conversations with the AI humanoid robot Sophia is also provided, where visitors can ask questions and receive answers.

The 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show features a large number of domestic and international robot-related companies, including Rainbow Robotics, Google, Angel Robotics, and Youngin Robotics. The types of robots are diverse, including humanoids and quadruped robots. However, many participating companies showcased robot technology useful in real life. Among the robot startups participating in the 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show, some introduced intriguing technologies.

Robots Grill Meat Evenly - Beyond Honeycomb 'Grill X'

Beyond Honeycomb, participating in the 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show, unveiled the AI-based grilling robot 'Grill X.' Grill X is equipment that revolutionizes grilling, which relied on human subjective senses and experience. Lee So-jung, a manager at Beyond Honeycomb, stated, "Grill X is equipped with an AI model that has learned 500,000 cooking data from professional chefs, detecting the state of the meat in real-time and automatically performing optimal grilling."



Grill X is equipped with flame detection sensors and ingredient detection sensors to precisely measure the Maillard reaction, charring degree, and doneness of the meat surface. If flames suddenly flare up or oil splatters, the robot arm immediately adjusts the height to cook safely. It also provides a function to prevent fire hazards in real-time through flame detection sensors.

A notable feature is the intelligent cooking analysis system. While existing cooking devices operate only based on time and temperature, Grill X recognizes and responds to actual situations. It has the ability to apply different grilling methods depending on the thickness and type of meat. Beyond Honeycomb has independently developed all core technologies, including measurement sensors, AI models, and robot control systems.

The advantage of Grill X is that it optimizes juice loss and fat distribution to maintain meat flavor and ensure consistent quality. It can cook a wide range of ingredients, including popular meats like beef, pork, and chicken, as well as challenging ingredients like fish, eel, and lamb. As a result, Grill X has received love calls from 70 brand stores in Korea. Initially operated as a rental model, it added a 36-month long-term rental and purchase option after receiving market feedback for a year.



Productivity is also outstanding. Lee So-jung stated, "Depending on the cooking environment, it can cook up to 80 servings of pork belly per hour. It helps improve kitchen operation efficiency and allows focus on high-value activities such as service quality improvement and menu development." Beyond Honeycomb plans to actively pursue overseas expansion through the Seoul AI Robot Show exhibition.

Revolutionizing Work Efficiency for Industrial Workers - FRT Robotics 'StepUp Neo'

FRT Robotics, participating in the 2025 Seoul AI Robot Show, unveiled the 'StepUp Neo,' a wearable robot optimized for industrial sites. StepUp Neo is a waist strength-assisting wearable robot that operates purely on mechanical structure without batteries or motors. Kwon Hyuk-jin, sales team manager at FRT Robotics, stated, "The core technology of StepUp Neo is the high-elasticity spring. When the user bends their waist to lift an object, the spring's restoring force acts in the opposite direction, reducing waist strain by up to 45%."

Kwon Hyuk-jin explained that the operating principle of StepUp Neo is similar to gym equipment. It moves weight against gravity to create an exercise effect. It does not generate new force but distributes the load on weak waist muscles to strong leg muscles.



StepUp Neo transfers the weight concentrated on the waist when lifting objects to the legs, protecting the waist, which is prone to injury, and utilizing strong leg muscles. The shoulder-assist method disperses shoulder strain to the hips, creating an effect as if someone is supporting the arms from the side.

StepUp Neo weighs 2.7 kg, 40% lighter than the previous generation product, which weighed 4.5 kg. While the weight has decreased, the variable design allows for convenient fitting to the user's body shape.

FRT Robotics emphasizes that it can be designed to fit special equipment or work clothes used in fields such as the Korea Forest Service, power plants, and military units. For example, equipment for construction sites is designed with integrated safety hooks and harnesses for immediate field deployment.



FRT Robotics has also entered the walking assistance field. The walking assistance robot is equipped with motors, batteries, and posture measurement sensors to analyze user movements and provide power when needed. It maintains natural walking on flat surfaces and automatically pushes the thighs when climbing uphill as sensors recognize the action. Kwon Hyuk-jin explained, "Our proprietary AI algorithm analyzes user posture and walking patterns to provide optimal assistance. It adopts an energy-efficient design that operates only when needed, allowing for over 8 hours of use on a 1-hour charge."

FRT Robotics plans to actively promote wearable robots through the Seoul AI Robot Show. They aim to pioneer the customized solution market through meetings with buyers visiting the event.

IT Donga Reporter Kang Hyung-seok (redbk@itdonga.com)

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