South Korea Opens Humanoid Data Factory With 12 Robots

DAEJEON, South Korea -- South Korea has launched its first dedicated factory for humanoid robot training data, beginning its operation with 12 robots gathering information about physical work to create AI models.

The Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology has announced the launch Nov. 3. The AI Humanoid Data Factory has been set up by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) in partnership with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).

The facility spans roughly 1,000 square meters on two floors at the KIMM head office in Daejeon. KIMM aims to increase the number of humanoids to 25, local media reported.

People operate the robots from remote locations while doing certain tasks and documenting their movements and interactions with objects. The information will be used for AI model training, which will be tested on the physical robots and used for more training.

During the launch ceremony, the researchers showcased the robots taking things out of the fridge, doing laundry, organizing sofas and pressing buttons and levers in cars.
KIMM also demonstrated the manipulation and motion control abilities of KAIROS, a humanoid robot being developed at the institute.

This is in line with the government-supported endeavor in South Korea to develop local humanoid technologies and decrease reliance on overseas training data and AI systems.

KIMM intends to increase the number of tasks recorded and allow access to companies, institutions of higher learning, and research institutions starting in late 2027. The exact data collection rate and improvement in performance of robots thanks to training have yet to be revealed.