
Laying the foundation for the robot industry through the development of the AI humanoid platform ‘KAPEX’
AI-generated summary
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea select and award the Korea Science and Technology Award every month. KIST Director Jong-won Lee was selected as the winner in November, and he implemented 'KAPEX', a Korean next-generation AI humanoid platform that developed and integrated core physical AI technology elements such as actuators, mechanisms, sensors, and AI with domestic technology.
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea announced on the 4th that they selected Lee Jong-won, director of the Humanoid Research Group at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robot Research Institute, as the November recipient of the Korea Science and Technology Person Award.
Director Lee developed the key element technologies of physical AI, such as actuators, mechanisms, sensors, and AI, with domestic technology and implemented 'KAPEX', a Korean next-generation AI humanoid platform that integrates them.
K-Pex applied an ultra-small, lightweight, high-output actuator that can be mounted on the size of a human joint while producing a torque of up to 300 newton meters (Nm), which is the level when an ordinary adult strongly extends his legs, and a composite joint that simulates the human musculoskeletal structure.
Thanks to the 7-degree-of-freedom leg joint structure that precisely controls the movements of the toes and ankles, it is possible to maintain balance even while carrying an object exceeding 20 kg.
In addition, the research team more than doubled the energy efficiency of the humanoid whole body by optimizing the integrated actuation, joint, and control technologies.
Based on this, we transferred major technologies to LG Electronics [066570] last year and established an industry-academia-research cooperation system involving major companies such as LG Electronics, LG AI Research Institute, and LG Energy Solutions, as well as universities and hospitals.
Director Lee said, “It is significant that we have laid the foundation for the domestic robot industry ecosystem through the development of a Korean-style AI humanoid platform,” and added, “We will continue to secure the global competitiveness of AI humanoid technology that helps people in various fields such as manufacturing, logistics, and care based on public-private cooperation.”
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Through an industry-academia-research cooperation system involving LG Electronics, LG AI Research Institute, and LG Energy Solutions, AI humanoid technology will be expanded and applied to various fields such as manufacturing, logistics, and care.
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