South Korea Develops Humanoid That Walks Carrying 20 kg... KIST Group Head Lee Jongwon Wins Korean Scientist and Engineer Award

Integrated actuators, joints, and AI to develop "KAPEX"; doubled energy efficiency
Commercialization underway, including technology transfer to LG Electronics; named recipient of the November Korean Scientist and Engineer Award

Lee Jongwon, head of the Humanoid Research Group at the AI Robotics Research Institute of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) (pictured), has been selected as the recipient of the November Korean Scientist and Engineer Award for his contributions to developing Korean AI humanoid robots and localizing the production of key components.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea announced on Nov. 4 that Lee was selected in recognition of his development of KAPEX, a Korean humanoid platform capable of maintaining its balance and moving while carrying objects weighing more than 20 kg, and his contributions to commercializing related technologies.

The research group led by Lee developed domestically the actuators that serve as the robot's muscles, the mechanical components that function as bones and joints, the sensors responsible for its senses, and the AI technology that serves as its brain, integrating them to create KAPEX.

KAPEX is equipped with high-output actuators that can generate up to 300 newton-meters (Nm) of torque while being small and light enough to be attached to human joints. Torque is a physical quantity that indicates the magnitude of the force that rotates an object. The robot also features compound joints modeled on the human musculoskeletal structure and a seven-degree-of-freedom leg joint structure that precisely controls toe and ankle movements.

This enabled the robot to achieve stable walking, maintaining its balance and moving while carrying objects weighing more than 20 kg. The research group said it also more than doubled the energy efficiency of the robot's entire body compared with existing systems by comprehensively optimizing the actuators, joints, and control technology.

The achievement is significant in demonstrating the potential to localize the production of key components in South Korea's humanoid industry, which relies heavily on foreign technology. However, further performance testing and demonstrations in a variety of environments are needed for humanoids to work reliably for extended periods in actual manufacturing and logistics settings.

Technology transferred to LG Electronics; demonstrations at industrial sites planned

The Korean humanoid “KAPEX,” equipped with muscles, joints, senses and a brain like a human. Courtesy of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Efforts are also underway to commercialize the research. The research group transferred key technologies to LG Electronics in September last year and established a public-private-academic-research collaboration network involving companies, universities, and hospitals, including LG Electronics, LG AI Research, and LG Energy Solution. It plans to conduct demonstrations of humanoids working for extended periods in real-life settings, including hospitals and public facilities.

Lee is a robotics researcher who earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Pohang University of Science and Technology. His achievements include 55 patents registered overseas and two technology transfers.

Lee said, "This research is significant because it laid the foundation for South Korea's robotics industry ecosystem through the development of a Korean AI humanoid platform. We will continue to build global competitiveness in AI humanoid technologies that assist people in diverse fields, including manufacturing, logistics, and caregiving, through public-private cooperation."

The Korean Scientist and Engineer Award is presented monthly to one researcher who has contributed to the advancement of science and technology through original research conducted over the past three years. Recipients receive the Deputy Prime Minister's Award from the Ministry of Science and ICT and 10 million won in prize money. The award's name was changed this year from the "Scientist and Engineer of the Month Award."

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