South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday it will run a recruitment notice through June 5 for operators for 3 new tasks to expand AI transition (AX) devices.

AX devices are a technology that runs AI models through a neural processing unit (NPU) embedded in a device to deliver services. Its strengths are real-time services, user customization and power efficiency. As AI evolves into physical AI that understands and actively operates in the physical world, the scope of applications is rapidly expanding.

Two of the 3 new tasks will select devices based on physical AI models such as vision-language-action (VLA), while the remaining task will pick devices specialized in solving social problems in areas such as public services, daily life and safety. The projects are open to domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-sized companies seeking to develop and test AX devices.

The ministry said 6 tasks launched last year, including a smart helmet and an AI barista water purifier, are currently at the prototype production stage. Starting this year, it will pursue performance upgrades and verification of market fit through on-site demonstrations.

Selected companies will be matched for 2 years with technology suppliers such as NPU and AI model firms and will receive support across the full process, from device design and optimization to technology verification, prototype production, on-site demonstrations and commercialization.

Park Taewan (박태완), director general for Information and Communication Industry Policy at the ministry, said, "This project will serve as a catalyst for pre-empting the AX device market by combining our country's device manufacturing capabilities with AI technological strength." He added, "We will do our utmost to foster innovative devices combined with physical AI in a focused manner so that the domestic physical AI industry ecosystem can make a leap to a global level."