Investment in Robotics
The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy said at a meeting on Oct. 11 that it would shore up the local robotics industry and assist in the growth of robotics firms in various ways.
The ministry is planning to boost the demand for robots by means of the use of service robots in the public sector, smart factory development utilizing advanced manufacturing robots, and administrative system reform. In addition, certain research centers and firms are to be picked out for the commercial use of advanced robots, humanoid robot research institutes are to be set up, and component improvement programs are to be launched for a higher level of supply capability.
Specifically, 20 pilot projects are scheduled for 2017 and 2018 regarding the utilization of advanced manufacturing robots. To this end, the ministry is going to find companies currently running smart factory solutions and capable of adopting robot-based manufacturing processes. The use of service robots in the public sector is expected to focus on driverless transport, medical rehabilitation and social safety. In this regard, 80 projects are launched until 2020.
Furthermore, the ministry is planning to invest 350 billion won in R&D in the industry for five years to come in order to facilitate the development of key technological elements such as motors, speed reducers and controllers. The research centers of certain companies are to be designated as those for accelerating the commercial application of advanced robots. More than 100 billion won is planned to be invested in them until 2020 so at least 20 new robots can be developed by that year. The humanoid robot research institutes are likely to be established at colleges and their research facilities.
In the meantime, South Korean companies are speeding up the commercialization of robots on their part as well. For example, Hyundai Heavy Industries is going to spin off and expand its robot business division next month. Hanwha Techwin is planning to release South Korea’s first collaborative robot early next year. And SK Telecom is to enter the social robot market in 2018. Yujin Robot is planning to put its GoCart for driverless transport on the market early next year and RoboStar is working on two-armed robots.