Robotis Co. is teaming up with MIT researchers to create robots that can replicate human-like physical responses and manipulation, backed by 10 billion won ($7.6 million) in South Korean government funding.
The Seoul-based company plans to incorporate the new “Physical AI” technology into its OpenMANIPULATOR-Y collaborative robot. The system will use advanced sensing and AI to help robots respond reflexively to environmental changes, similar to human reactions.
The partnership, organized through Korea’s Institute for Advancement of Technology, combines Robotis’s precision robotics expertise with MIT’s control systems research. The goal is to expand beyond basic gripper-type operations to more sophisticated industrial applications.
CEO Kim Byung-soo highlighted the potential impact on the robotics sector, noting that physical AI capabilities could transform how robots interact with their surroundings.
While Robotis positions itself at the forefront of next-generation robotics, the technology remains unproven in real-world industrial settings. The company faces competition from established players like ABB Ltd. and FANUC Corp. in the growing collaborative robot market.
