[Exclusive] Robot Inspects Distribution Boards Instead of Humans... Samsung Electronics Selected for Excellence in AI and Smart Industrial Safety Technology

Smart Inspection Robot 'JOEY' for Semiconductor Electrical Distribution Boards
Reduces Worker Risks and Establishes Unmanned Safety Inspection System

Samsung Electronics won the grand prize at the '2026 AI and Smart Industrial Safety Technology Excellence Case Challenge' with the case of the smart inspection robot for electrical distribution boards, 'JOEY (Joint Operator for Electrical Yard)'.

Samsung Electronics won the grand prize at the '2026 AI & Smart Industrial Safety Technology Best Practices Challenge' with the case of the smart inspection robot for electric distribution panels, 'JOEY'. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

This challenge was organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency to discover outstanding cases of using new technologies—such as AI and smart solutions—to prevent industrial accidents and to spread these practices in workplaces. The award-winning cases are being exhibited at the AI Safety and Health Expo held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, starting from July 6.

Samsung Electronics' JOEY was recognized for its effectiveness in preventing industrial accidents by reducing the risks of electric shock and arc explosions during electrical equipment inspections, and by converting human-centered high-risk inspections to a robot-based unmanned inspection system. Previously, distribution board inspections required workers to approach the equipment directly, open inspection windows, or check the status of the equipment themselves. In contrast, JOEY moves to inspection locations on behalf of workers and uses its robotic arm to perform inspection tasks.

JOEY is a mobile collaborative robot system that combines an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with a collaborative robot (Cobot). The robot autonomously travels to sites where distribution boards are installed, recognizes inspection locations using AI vision, and performs necessary tasks with its collaborative robot arm. Equipped with various diagnostic devices such as thermal imaging and regular cameras, partial discharge sensors, and odor sensors, it can identify abnormal conditions including overheating, insulation deterioration, and signs of carbonization in the equipment.

The robot was completed through collaboration with Iltectrics. A Samsung representative explained, "JOEY is currently being piloted at the Pyeongtaek plant of the DS division of Samsung Electronics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.