South Korea’s robot parts industry requires an immediate policy pivot from basic research and development toward commercialization, mass production, and export performance, according to RSAutomation CEO Kang Duck-hyun. Speaking on October 21 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building during the AI and Robot Industry Ecosystem Strategy National Assembly Forum, Kang detailed the sector’s structural limitations in securing stable demand through domestic final product manufacturers alone.
The event was organized by the Korea Robot Industry Association and sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, drawing roughly 100 participants from industry, academia, research institutions, and government bodies. Kang told the forum that relying exclusively on supply deals with specific domestic robot makers restricts component suppliers from achieving economies of scale. He advocated for a shift toward common components, global market expansion, and standardized product foundations across diverse industrial applications.
Establishing Common Interfaces for Diverse Robot Platforms
Kang proposed building a shared parts platform capable of serving industrial robots, humanoids, logistics and service robots, and artificial intelligence-driven factories. Component manufacturers currently face restrictive specifications tied to individual robot makers. Establishing a common interface would connect varying communication, data, and control protocols to boost part interoperability across multiple platforms.
The strategy involves creating joint testing and reliability evaluation systems to lower validation expenses and initial quality burdens for new parts. Technologically, Kang highlighted the potential of an agentic robot platform that links artificial intelligence reasoning with physical robot motion. By combining AI task allocation with standardized motion commands and a Korean open-source robot skill library, domestic component makers can participate in various robot ecosystems without becoming dependent on a single manufacturer’s proprietary specs.
Expanding Policy Support Beyond Research to Export Performance
Government funding models should extend past the initial research and development phase to encompass overseas evaluation, certification, pilot supplies, mass production facilities, and export sales channels, Kang stated. Public demand and industry-specific demonstration projects can help domestic component makers secure early delivery records, which must then be linked to foreign customer purchases and integrated global supply chains.
RSAutomation maintains core motion control technologies including motion controllers, servo drives, and encoders, and is currently developing a physical AI drive platform designed to translate artificial intelligence decisions into precise physical movements. Kang argued that policy success metrics should measure actual product adoption, repeat orders, mass production volume, and export results rather than simple development milestones or raw counts of finished parts.
Who Hosted the AI and Robot Forum?
Who hosted the AI and Robot Industry Ecosystem Strategy National Assembly Forum?
The Korea Robot Industry Association hosted the forum on October 21 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
What specific technical platform did RSAutomation propose for integrating AI with hardware?
The company proposed an agentic robot platform designed to connect artificial intelligence task processing with standardized motion commands and physical drive interfaces.
What core motion control technologies does RSAutomation specialize in?
The company specializes in motion controllers, servo drives, and encoders that regulate the physical movement of automated machinery.
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