Doosan Robotics to develop Physical AI robots using domestic semiconductors

Doosan Robotics has secured two major South Korean government-backed research and development projects aimed at building a “Korean-style physical AI collaborative robot integrated platform.” The total R&D budget for these projects is approximately 98.9 billion won, with government subsidies accounting for 68.1 billion won.

The first project focuses on developing next-generation collaborative robots equipped with on-device AI system-on-chips (SoC). By integrating a neural processing unit (NPU) and real-time control functions, these robots will be able to perceive, judge, and control tasks locally without relying on external PCs or cloud servers. This approach aims to reduce latency and enhance security for sensitive industries such as defense, nuclear energy, and biopharmaceuticals. The company plans to develop three robot models with payloads of 5kg, 10kg, and 20kg, alongside an industrial humanoid, targeting commercialization by 2031.

The second project involves creating an intelligent welding solution that combines AI and digital twin technology. This system is designed to automate high-precision welding for nuclear energy components by mimicking the movements of skilled workers. The goal is to achieve a 95% match with human welding paths and reduce production time by over 50%. Field testing will be conducted at Doosan Enerbility’s nuclear center, with future applications planned for the shipbuilding and defense sectors.