The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sunday it held a launch meeting at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) for a project to advance core technology for artificial intelligence (AI) humanoids. It said the meeting marked the start of a public-private cooperation system pooling the capabilities of industry, academia, research institutes and hospitals.

The project is a key part of the AI-based national programme 'K-Moonshot' and will invest a total of 50.4 billion won from 2026 to 2030. The goal is to secure a "Korean flagship AI humanoid platform" integrating intelligence and physical capability.

KIST will lead the project. Participants include LG Electronics, LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution, Robostar and We Robotics from industry, and Seoul National University, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea University and Kyung Hee University from academia, as well as Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.

The humanoid platform will be based on 'KAPEX', which KIST developed independently. LG Electronics will develop a next-generation mass-production humanoid robot model, and We Robotics will develop a mobile humanoid robot platform for public environments. LG Energy Solution will apply what it called the world's first high-safety all-solid-state battery technology to the robot platform to reduce fire risk and move to pre-empt global safety standards.

The developed technologies will be tested in medical and care environments, including at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. More than 20 humanoids will be deployed on site to verify their ability to assist with daily life and deliver public services.

Kim Seong-su (김성수), director-general for R&D Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said it was a starting point for building a national AI humanoid platform by bringing AI, humanoids, batteries, mass-production technology and demonstration capabilities together. He said the ministry would pool the capabilities of industry, academia, research institutes and hospitals to help South Korea secure leadership in the global AI humanoid market.