– KIST-LG Collaboration Aims for Commercialization Within 4 Years
In the midst of the AI humanoid competition led by the US and China, a new independent humanoid platform developed through collaboration between a research institute and a major corporation in Korea has emerged.
On the 30th, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), in partnership with LG Electronics and the LG AI Research Institute, announced their plan to secure leadership in the global physical AI competition with the Korean next-generation humanoid ‘KAPEX’. The joint research team is currently conducting R&D to equip KAPEX with next-generation features and plans to gradually showcase the results starting this November.
Unlike existing humanoids that simply mimic human movements, KAPEX is a next-generation humanoid capable of self-learning, adapting to environmental changes, executing precise manipulations, and collaborating with humans. In simple terms, KAPEX is more than just a moving robot; it is an ‘intelligent companion’ that learns and grows through experience. The name ‘KAPEX’ reflects the ambition to reach the pinnacle (APEX) of evolution with Korean technology and to express humanity’s (Ape) evolution and unknown possibilities (X). KAPEX aims to perform tasks at the same level as humans in both home and industrial settings by equipping movement and manipulation abilities equal to those of humans. By independently developing and installing key components such as high-powered actuators for the entire body, KAPEX enhances the technological self-reliance of Korean humanoids and strengthens the foundation for entry into the global market.
This technological collaboration is significant as it presents a model of robot innovation that advances the practical industrial application of AI by merging the strengths of the three institutions. The foundational AI humanoid technology of KIST’s AI Robot Research Center, combined with LG Electronics’ productization and mass production capabilities and global business experience, as well as the robot brain technology based on LG AI Research Institute’s large-scale AI model ‘EXAONE Vision Language (VL)’, has laid the groundwork for the next-generation Korean humanoid. The collaboration aims for demonstration in industrial settings and the commencement of commercialization within the next four years, beginning with large-scale technology transfer and AI technology integration into a globally expandable cooperative ecosystem.
The global robot market is rapidly being restructured around physical AI. Physical AI refers to technology that allows artificial intelligence to learn and adapt directly in physical environments, autonomously solving problems in real spaces. This technology is a foundational element enabling robots to collaborate naturally with humans in various industry settings, such as home, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. Particularly, the humanoid platform is essential for realizing physical AI, as robots need to move their arms and legs freely like the human body, handle tools with their hands, and operate in the same spaces as humans. However, the platform is currently dominated by the US and China. Within this landscape, KAPEX emerges as a solution offering an independent and differentiated technological approach from Korea.
Lee Jong-won, head of the Humanoid Research Division at KIST, emphasized, “KAPEX is a practical alternative challenging the US-China dominated market order with Korean AI robots and will become a new global standard. We will secure a leading position for Korea in the robot industry through demonstration and commercialization.”