At “2026 Smart Factory + Automation World (AW 2026),” which opened on the 4th at COEX in Seoul, a long line formed as soon as the exhibition opened at 10 a.m. around the mass-production model of “Atlas” by Boston Dynamics, Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics specialist, which stood at the center of the Hyundai Glovis promotion hall. Although it was a non-operating static model, it was the first time Atlas had been presented to the general public in Korea.

AW 2026 is an exhibition showcasing advanced technologies such as humanoids and industrial robots, factory automation using artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. With about 500 companies from 12 countries including Korea participating, Hyundai Glovis and Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab have set up a large-scale exhibition area, allocating the largest space. For the first time, China’s “Big 5” humanoid companies participated in force, signaling a future era of Korea–China competition in robotics.

● “Strengthening Korea’s robot ecosystem”

On the right side of the Robotics Lab booth, the wheeled AI mobility robot “MobED” was busily moving around. MobED is a mobile robot with a body 74 cm wide and 115 cm long, equipped with four wheels. Even when passing over uneven or sloped areas, the loading platform on top of the body maintained a horizontal position.

On this day, Hyundai Motor Group announced the start of domestic sales of MobED and the launch of the “MobED Alliance,” together with Hyundai Transys and other group affiliates, major parts partners, and more than 10 robot solution specialists. Under this structure, Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab is responsible for MobED’s development and core technologies, while parts suppliers such as Hyundai Transys and SL provide key components including sensors and batteries. Robot solution companies such as LS T&I U-Tek and Gaon Robotics will handle tailored services for each industry and on-site implementation, while related organizations including the Korea AI & Robot Industry Association will provide various forms of support, with the aim of creating a virtuous cycle in the robot industry.

Participating companies expect that building such an alliance will inject vitality into the robot industry. According to the Korea International Trade Association, the Korean robot sector is strong in finished products but weak in core precision components. In particular, the localization rate of major parts such as reducers and controllers is only around 40%. Hyundai Motor Group, which led the event, stated, “By building this alliance, the group will enhance the overall competitiveness of the domestic robot industry and establish a sustainable robot ecosystem model.”

● Core ‘hand’ technology of robots

At the venue, “hand” technology—the core of humanoids and industrial robots—was also unveiled. In the Hyundai Glovis exhibition area, a three-fingered arm robot was in the midst of a “picking robot” demonstration, accurately picking up automotive parts and placing them into sorting bins on the opposite side. A camera mounted near the hand accurately recognized the shape and placement of items, then grasped small items with its fingers, while larger items were lifted by using air-pressure suction cups attached to the fingertips. Kim Tae-hoon, head of the Automation Technology Development Team at the company, explained, “The key technologies are recognizing the shape of any object so it can be grasped with the fingers, and then, just before placing it into the sorting bin, moving the joints and twisting the arm.”

Opposite it, the “pallet shuttle” robot was busily moving cargo boxes loaded on pallets. Developed by Altiole, a Hyundai Glovis subsidiary, this robot can process the cargo volume of 30 pallets per hour when combined with the “ORCA” logistics control system.

Chinese humanoid robot companies also participated in this exhibition, drawing attention. China’s Unitree Robotics demonstrated the dance and movements of its humanoid robot “G1” at the event, while a large number of other robot companies, including Agile Robots and Fourier Intelligence, also took part.

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