Doosan Robotics targets 2031 for collaborative robots and a humanoid with a Korean AI chip

Both projects were selected under programmes run by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Korean agency for industrial technology evaluation. One covers a next-generation collaborative robot, the other an intelligent welding solution.

The first project aims at robots that can perceive, decide and control themselves, with no external PC or cloud, thanks to an embedded AI chip of Korean design.

Doosan Robotics plans to build three collaborative robots from it, with payloads of 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg, as well as an industrial two-armed humanoid able to move in any direction.

The company intends to test them for 72 hours without interruption at no fewer than 2 customer sites, obtain an international safety certification, then sell them as standard products from 2031.

For welding, where the robot learns by imitating the movements of experienced welders, Doosan Robotics is aiming for a path more than 95% identical to that of a skilled welder, and a path error limited to ±3 mm.

Update of 6 October: according to Doosan Robotics' press release, the two projects share a research budget of about 98.9 billion won, of which about 68.1 billion comes from the state. For welding, the company also wants to automate welds of five passes or more, with the aim of cutting processing time by more than 50%. Once nuclear-grade quality certification is obtained, Doosan Robotics intends to extend this welding technology to shipbuilding, plant engineering and defence.