SPG Applies Precision Reducer Technology to Standard Drive Module of KIMM AI Humanoid "KAIROS"

SPG, a company specializing in precision reducers and motors, has incorporated its precision reducer technology into the standard drive module of the "KAIROS" humanoid, currently under development by the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM). As SPG participates with its core component technology in the construction of a national-scale humanoid standard platform, attention is focused on whether it can secure a foundation to supply its parts to domestic robotics companies in the future.

SPG announced on September 8 that its precision reducer technology has been applied to the standard drive module of KAIROS, which is being developed by KIMM.

On this day, KIMM demonstrated KAIROS at the "2026 Global Machinery Technology Forum," held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul to mark its 50th anniversary. KAIROS is a robot that uses both visual and tactile sensors, as well as artificial intelligence, to recognize its surrounding environment, perform movement, manipulate objects, and interact with humans. KIMM is pushing forward with the development of a Korean-style humanoid that can be applied not only to household and care services, but also to various industrial sites such as manufacturing automation.

The collaboration between SPG and KIMM began with the signing of a "Business Agreement for the Development of Actuators for Korean-Standard Humanoids" in October last year. Under this partnership, KIMM undertook specification definition and drive module design and verification for the humanoid standard platform, while SPG provides key component technologies, including precision reducers.

This application to KAIROS marks the first achievement about one year after the agreement was signed. The standard drive module incorporating SPG's technology has been used in KAIROS's waist, hip, and ankle joints. These areas are key joints responsible for maintaining balance during upper body rotation and walking, requiring both a large reduction ratio and high rigidity. For humanoids to move as stably as humans, the performance of the reducer to precisely control joint positions is crucial.

Notably, KIMM is working through its "Autonomous AI Humanoid Strategic Research Team" to establish a standard humanoid platform with mass productivity and price competitiveness. The plan is to release KAIROS version 1 by April 2027 and to develop version 2 with enhanced mobility and manipulation capabilities by 2030.

SPG stated that this collaboration is significant as it possesses core technologies for key components of robot actuators, such as precision reducers, motors, and controllers. The actuator is the drive unit that actually moves the robot's joints, transmitting the motor's rotational force precisely through the reducer and providing control.

Younggil Yeo, CEO of SPG, said, "We have accumulated core technologies for robot actuator components such as precision reducers, motors, and controllers over a long period," adding, "This marks the first time in Korea that a fully domestically developed actuator for a humanoid standard platform, including motor, reducer, and controller, has been realized with local technology."

He further emphasized, "The core element here is that SPG's precision reducer technology has been applied to the drive module for the humanoid standard platform being led by KIMM. As the standard platform spreads, we will establish a foundation to supply core parts of the same specifications to domestic robotics companies."

With this application, there is growing interest in whether SPG can establish itself as a key parts supplier for the national humanoid standard platform ecosystem, beyond serving individual robot manufacturers. As the humanoid market enters full-scale mass production, the application of standardized actuators and reducers is likely to expand, rather than developing different components for each robot.

Going forward, SPG plans to expand collaboration with domestic robotics companies based on the technology and mass production experience secured during the standard platform development process, and to broaden the application of its core parts business—such as precision reducers and motors—into the humanoid field.

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