In the Era of Physical AI, Domestic Companies Face a Steep Path… The Key Partner for Industrial Automation Is ...

As Physical AI—the integration of robots and artificial intelligence into the physical world—emerges as a new competitive edge across industries, Korea is positioning itself at the center of the global technology transition. Because only a few countries possess both manufacturing competitiveness and software development capabilities, Korea is viewed as an optimized environment for realizing Physical AI.

In fact, convergence cases involving robots, sensors, vision AI, and generative AI in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors are rapidly increasing. On industrial sites, the model in which AI replaces human “hands, eyes, and judgment” is becoming a reality. This signals the creation of a new work ecosystem where humans, robots, and AI operate together—moving far beyond simple automation.

“Korea is the only country with both manufacturing (hardware) and software potential, and it has a full-stack environment capable of realizing Physical AI,” said Jungwoo Ha, Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning, during an APEC announcement last month. “With strong industrial foundations such as shipbuilding, automobiles, and manufacturing, along with high technological acceptance, Korea is in an optimal position for the growth of AI application industries.”

Major domestic companies leading the Physical AI ecosystem are also expanding their presence. SUPERBAI, an industrial vision AI company, has positioned itself as a representative Physical AI solutions provider by advancing a field-driven platform based on “recognition–judgment–control” for manufacturing and logistics companies. In particular, it is emerging as a key partner in industrial automation through collaborations with major manufacturers such as Samsung and LG Electronics, built on its proprietary vision foundation model, ZERO.

Meanwhile, MAUM AI is shaping a new category within the Physical AI market with its “AI Human” technology. The company’s AI Human engine enables real-time visual and voice recognition, facial expression simulation, and natural language-based behavioral decisions, and is already deployed in customer service centers, civil service kiosks, and educational environments. Industry analysts describe MAUM AI’s direction as “soft Physical AI,” which focuses on human interfaces rather than robot-centric systems.

Some companies are applying Physical AI to the field of generative content. Sky Intelligence, an affiliate of SkyWorldwide, is strengthening its position with Physical AI integration technologies. The company recently showcased its capabilities at AI Summit Seoul & EXPO 2025 through a demonstration that combined robot-arm-based automated 3D scanning with generative AI content solutions. Previously, the company introduced AI learning robots that autonomously performed 3D data generation—work that once required specialized equipment and high-skill labor. Based on this foundation, Physical AI is now being extended to various applications such as 2D and 3D content production, industrial simulation, and digital twins.

https://www.cstimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=678238

​