Korean seaweed, often referred to as the "black semiconductor," is dominating the global market. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea exports seaweed to 120 countries worldwide, holding a market share of 70%. The ministry reported that seaweed exports increased by approximately 25.8%, from USD 792 million (about KRW 1.15 trillion) in 2023 to USD 997 million (about KRW 1.45 trillion) in 2024, highlighting its status as a key export product for Korea.

However, the reality of seaweed production is different. The industry still relies heavily on manual labor for removing foreign substances and faces structural issues such as limited processing capacity. As a result, about 20,000 tons of raw seaweed, the raw material for dried seaweed, are discarded annually due to processing delays.


Startup Probotics has entered the domestic seaweed market with the ambition to solve these issues using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. An interview with Park Kyu-young, CEO of Probotics, explored the technology and potential to enhance the global competitiveness of Korean seaweed.

Development of Simulation-Based General-Purpose Robot Introduction Technology

Founded in 2025, Probotics is a compound of 'Production' and 'Robotics.' CEO Park Kyu-young launched Probotics after about a year of preparation, aiming to realize automation using robots in production processes.

Physical AI, which allows autonomous systems to perceive, understand, and perform complex tasks in the physical world, is gradually advancing. More sites are adopting Physical AI to enhance productivity. However, unlike large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) find it challenging to introduce new robots or Physical AI due to cost and system constraints.

Recognizing this reality, CEO Park emphasized, “When SMEs in manufacturing and processing want to introduce robots, they must consider two key factors: accessibility and efficiency.” He added, “It is crucial to make AI robotics technology easily accessible to existing companies and to ensure that it is efficient enough to replace manual labor in actual work environments.”


To this end, Probotics has developed simulation-based general-purpose robot introduction technology. This approach provides customized solutions that can replace actual work according to the conditions of each manufacturing site, thereby lowering costs and increasing accessibility. CEO Park explained, “Most small companies are resistant to trying something new, especially if it requires changing internal process structures. Probotics can apply simulations to site blueprints to offer customized solutions, which reduces resistance. Additionally, our solutions can reduce manpower or increase efficiency upon implementation.”

NanoGuard AI Capable of Replacing Manual Processes

Probotics' flagship product is the AI foreign substance removal robot 'NanoGuard AI.' Combining vision, AI, and robotics technology, it excels at automatically identifying and removing foreign substances, making it capable of replacing manual processes. The company is currently developing and refining a robotic hand specialized for removing foreign substances from seaweed.

Regarding the choice of seaweed as the first entrepreneurial item, CEO Park explained, “I enjoy eating seaweed. I happened to watch a TV program about a domestic seaweed processing company and was surprised to see foreign substances being removed manually. Despite Korean seaweed being exported to various countries and rapid technological advancements, manual processes still prevailed. I decided to start a business, believing there was sufficient business potential by integrating technology.”

While analyzing the seaweed market, CEO Park also identified other issues, such as the absence of a grading system for dried seaweed, downward price pressure, and the problem of foreign substance inclusion. He stated, “Although the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the introduction of a dried seaweed grading system, the opinions at the site differed. Foreign workers already dominate the field, and when they return home, new workers need to be trained in selecting foreign substances from seaweed, which takes time. Moreover, reliance on manual labor for removing foreign substances leads to significant bottlenecks in the subsequent seaweed roasting process.”


The issues in the seaweed market can be partially addressed by Probotics' NanoGuard AI. The key is its ability to quickly adapt to each company's layout and existing facilities through robot learning simulations, allowing for on-site deployment. This reduces quality variations and addresses process bottlenecks.

According to Probotics, the prototype of NanoGuard AI will be released in December. The company plans to conduct beta testing and proof of concept (PoC) from 2026, followed by standardization and mass production. CEO Park stated, “It took about four months to develop NanoGuard AI. The development period was shortened thanks to AI technology.”

Searching Nationwide for Seaweed Processing Companies...Finding Answers on Site

Probotics faced many challenges after its founding. CEO Park admitted, “Initially, I didn’t know much about the seaweed market. So, I called over 400 seaweed processing companies nationwide and visited them in person.” However, few companies welcomed his visits. Despite this, CEO Park continued his efforts, and some companies began showing interest in NanoGuard AI. He stated, “In recent months, I’ve spent more time on site than in my hometown, listening to voices from the field to complete NanoGuard AI.”


Another challenge was the heterogeneity of each site. CEO Park confessed, “It was difficult to propose a consistent solution immediately because each company had different facilities, workflows, manpower, and equipment configurations.” In response, Probotics used its own manufacturing process simulation to reflect existing equipment locations and workflow constraints, securing and verifying the site for NanoGuard AI in advance. NanoGuard AI can be installed next to the existing seaweed sorter, requiring only a conveyor belt connection. One NanoGuard AI unit is sufficient for every two seaweed sorters.

CEO Park emphasized, “The goal is to enhance the global competitiveness of K-seaweed through the introduction of NanoGuard AI. Probotics aims to contribute to re-establishing K-seaweed as the world’s best seaweed.”

Expecting Impact Similar to ChatGPT

CEO Park Kyu-young, who majored in computer engineering at Dongguk University, was recognized for his development skills, serving in the military as an IT specialist. Kim Sang-yoon, Probotics' CTO, also served as an IT specialist and continues his connection with CEO Park from their military days. The two have expanded their development areas through various outsourcing projects, which led to the development of field-friendly technology like NanoGuard AI.

CEO Park stated, “Through various outsourcing projects, I personally developed the standard that the field should take precedence over technology. No matter how good the technology is, it is useless if not used in the field. When founding Probotics, I tried to view technology from an entrepreneur’s perspective rather than a developer’s. That’s why I went directly to the field and listened to their voices, resulting in the development of field-friendly technology.”


Furthermore, CEO Park emphasized, “Rather than being obsessed with new technology itself, we prioritize field compatibility and ease of adoption. We define the tasks we solve clearly while maintaining existing company facilities as much as possible. We insist on an approach that accurately integrates technology into the necessary parts without equipment replacement. This ultimately reduces adoption risks and operational downtime costs, bringing forward efficiency and return on investment (ROI).”

NanoGuard AI is also easy to integrate. By simply replacing the robotic hand, it can be introduced to other companies or fields. CEO Park expressed, “I want to make simulation and robotics more accessible and easier to approach in all production areas. I believe the impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT came not just from its performance but from its accessibility and versatility. Probotics’ robot simulation can have a similar impact,” adding, “The strategy is to structurally lower the entry barriers to robotic automation by achieving performance, accessibility, and versatility simultaneously.”

Probotics has been laying its foundation as an early-stage startup with support from various government institutions, including being selected for the 2025 Preliminary Startup Package Phases 1 and 2, the Marine Science and Technology Promotion Agency and venture operator-led marine and fisheries accelerator selection, the Student Startup Promising Team 300 selection, and the Korea Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation award. Notably, this year, it was selected as a startup club by Dongguk University’s Startup Education Center, which supports aspiring and student entrepreneurs. CEO Park stated, “As this is my first time starting a business, I needed advice and help. There were many concepts I didn’t know, from business registration to legal issues, but Dongguk University’s Startup Education Center introduced me to relevant mentors. I received a lot of help from the early stages of the startup.”

CEO Park aims to prove the effectiveness of the company’s solutions through visible results in the K-seaweed process. Expectations are high for how Probotics, which develops field-friendly technology, will expand beyond seaweed into other industries.

IT Donga Reporter Park Gui-im (luckyim@itdonga.com)

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