Humanoid and Manufacturing AX Technologies from Around the World Converge as '2026 RoboWorld' Opens

Humanoids and Manufacturing Automation Technologies Take Center Stage
402 Companies from 17 Countries, 1,198 Booths
Export and Purchasing Consultations, Plus Investment Support

The 2026 RoboWorld (ROBOTWORLD 2026), where visitors can explore manufacturing innovation and automation technologies for industrial sites through the convergence of AI and robotics, opened on November 4 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and co-organized by the Korea AI and Robotics Industry Association, the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, and the Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems, the exhibition runs for four days through November 7 in Halls 3 to 5 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 1. This year, 402 companies from 17 countries are participating, showcasing robots, key components, and manufacturing automation technologies across 1,198 booths.

This year's slogan is "M.AX the Future with AI Robotics." The organizers expect more than 52,000 visitors during the exhibition.

In his opening remarks, Oh Jun-ho, president of the Korea AI and Robotics Industry Association, said, "We need to enhance the technological competitiveness of robot hardware and key components while integrating AI and robotics technologies to develop technologies and solutions that can be used in real-world industrial settings." He added, "We will expand cooperation between domestic and international companies and support the commercialization of promising technologies and their expansion into overseas markets."

In congratulatory remarks, Lee Min-woo, head of the Industrial Growth Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "With abundant manufacturing data and outstanding technical talent, Korea has ample potential to become a robotics powerhouse." He added, "We will strengthen policy support so that the robotics industry's potential can be realized quickly and it can become the next semiconductor industry, while also working to rapidly introduce robots into our national defense by leveraging the capabilities of the private sector."

The 2026 RoboWorld (ROBOTWORLD 2026), showcasing manufacturing innovation and automation technologies for industrial sites through the convergence of AI (artificial intelligence) and robotics, opened on the 4th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Korea AI and Robotics Industry Association

Following the opening ceremony, the "2026 Awards Ceremony for Contributions to the Development of the Machinery and Robotics Industries" honored Ryu Jae-wan, CEO of SBB Tech, with the Order of Industrial Service Merit for his contribution to the localization of key robot components. In addition, 24 people who contributed to the development of the robotics industry received Presidential Commendations, Prime Minister's Commendations, or Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Commendations.

This year's exhibition highlights the potential for applying robotics technologies in industrial settings, focusing on physical AI and manufacturing AX (AI transformation). Exhibits include industrial robots, humanoids, autonomous mobile robots for logistics, key components and modules, AI software, and smart manufacturing solutions. The exhibition will also showcase examples of robot applications expanding beyond manufacturing and logistics into food, healthcare, and caregiving.

In the humanoid sector, Rainbow Robotics will present mobile humanoids and quadruped robots, while Neuromeka will showcase a physical AI-based humanoid platform. Robotis, Airobot, and T-Robotics will also exhibit robot actuation technologies and products for use in manufacturing and logistics settings.

In the manufacturing AX sector, the exhibition will feature automation technologies that integrate machine tools, robots, vision systems, and logistics systems. DN Solutions will introduce a machine-tending solution that automates material loading and unloading, while Brills will present a robotics modular platform for inspection, transfer, and processing operations. Samhyun will showcase "BOLDUM," a high-payload AI autonomous mobile robot.

Key components and control technologies that enable robots to move will also be on display. SPG and SBB Tech will exhibit precision reducers and actuators, while RS Automation will present control products for automation equipment, including servo drives and motion controllers.

The participation of international companies is also notable. China's Booster Robotics and PaXini will participate in the exhibition, while robots from Unitree, Agibot, and UBTECH will be featured at booths operated by domestic suppliers. Japan's FANUC will showcase industrial and collaborative robot technologies.

NVIDIA will participate in the International Robot Business Conference, while its partner Advantech will take part in both the exhibition and conference. Qualcomm will also participate in the event as a sponsor and conference contributor. A delegation of 10 Canadian companies and five promising Indian startups will also participate, creating opportunities for exchanges between domestic and international companies.

Oh Junho, chairman of the Korea AI and Robotics Industry Association, delivers opening remarks at ROBOTWORLD 2026, which opened on the 4th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Korea AI and Robotics Industry Association

Six special zones showcasing robotics technologies by industry will also be open. The humanoid special zone, set up for the first time this year, will display complete robots alongside key components such as actuators, reducers, sensors, and batteries. The Food Tech Zone will feature cooking, barista, and serving robots, as well as kitchen automation technologies, while the Healthcare Zone will introduce robot applications in surgery, rehabilitation, and caregiving. The K-Robot Future Talent Zone, Startup Zone, and KAIST Super-Gap Special Zone will showcase technologies from emerging companies and future talent.

The "2026 International Robot Business Conference," held for technology exchange, will take place on November 4 and 5, with three tracks and 36 sessions. Domestic and international experts will discuss industrial applications and directions for technological development, focusing on manufacturing AX, physical AI-based humanoids, and robot mobility.

Programs to help participating companies expand sales channels and attract investment have also been arranged. From November 4 to 6, export consultation sessions connecting overseas buyers with domestic companies and robot transformation (RX) purchasing consultations involving domestic demand companies and institutions will be held. Around 100 overseas demand companies and 150 domestic robotics companies will participate in the export consultations, while 30 demand companies from large and mid-sized enterprises and 50 robotics companies will take part in the purchasing consultations.

Investor consultation sessions will be held on November 5 and 6, and on November 6, "AI/Robot Global Scale-up Day" will be held to support AI and robotics SMEs in attracting investment. Domestic and international investors, including five U.S. venture capital firms, will participate. Investment presentations and evaluations will be conducted for overseas VCs, M&A specialist organizations, strategic investors, and others.

In addition, a seminar on strategies for entering overseas markets and a technology exchange meeting on defense robotics will be held on November 5. A live-commerce launch show introducing participating companies' new products will take place on November 6 and 7. An educational robot experience zone will also operate throughout the exhibition.

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