HOME > Resources > Newsletters
　

Title
Korean Industrial Insight No. 25 of AI, Semiconductors, Batteries, Electric vehicles, Robot, and Bio

Author　
KH

Post Date　
2026-06-01

Read
4965

Attach File
-
Ⅰ. AI INDUSTRY TRENDS

1. Samsung and Google Unveil ‘AI Glass’ Prototype… Design on Par with Gemini

- Two models from the Gentle Monster and Warby Parker collaboration
- Equipped with Android XR and Gemini
- Handles navigation and real-time translation with ease
- Meta’s new product also launches in Korea to counter
Samsung Electronics has unveiled the physical prototype of its AI glasses (wearable eyewear), developed in collaboration with Google, ahead of their launch. As smart glasses are rapidly emerging as the next-generation AI agent (assistant) devices following smartphones, Samsung has showcased design excellence that surpasses industry leader Meta, not only in performance but also through collaborations with fashion brands.
Samsung unveiled two AI glasses models based on the “Android Extended Reality (XR)” operating system (OS) at “Google I/O 2026,” Google’s annual developer conference held on the 19th (local time) at its headquarters in Mountain View, California. This marks the first time these products, which were previously introduced as prototypes with limited functionality at last year’s Google I/O, have been publicly revealed as fully designed, finished products. The new products are scheduled for release in the second half of the year following Samsung Electronics’ “Galaxy Unpacked” event in London, UK, in July, and both companies aim to heighten market attention through this unveiling.
The most striking feature of the new products is their design. Samsung Electronics has released two distinct designs, each created in collaboration with fashion brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The Gentle Monster version features a black, rounded, streamlined design suited for casual fashion styles, while the Warby Parker version adopts a deep green, angular design intended to complement classic styles such as business suits.
Just as Meta is positioning its “Ray-Ban” series, which is developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, as a fashion item, Samsung Electronics aims to gain an edge in the design competition by offering two distinct options simultaneously.
Samsung Electronics also appears to be leading the way in convenience, a key competitive advantage for AI glasses. This is because AI glasses have emerged as “companion devices” that execute users’ voice commands 24/7 and provide assistance by recognizing the surrounding environment through on-device (built-in) AI models; consequently, the convenience of being able to wear them for long periods without discomfort has become more important than mere performance. Both Samsung Electronics and Apple have shifted their development strategies away from headsets (goggle-type devices) that emphasized immersive displays, such as Apple’s existing “Vision Pro,” toward thin and lightweight glasses.
The new product is equipped with Google’s AI assistant “Gemini” and the Android OS, allowing it to sync with Galaxy smartphones. Cameras mounted on both ends of the glasses enable the AI to instantly recognize what the user is seeing. Equipped with multimodal capabilities—supporting vision (visual information), voice, and text recognition—users can receive turn-by-turn directions and restaurant/menu recommendations, summarize messages, and even access real-time translation and interpretation services without needing a smartphone map app.
Samsung Electronics plans to strengthen the Galaxy ecosystem by expanding its global AI device lineup from 400 million units last year to 800 million units this year, adding AI glasses to its existing portfolio of smartphones, smartwatches, and home appliances. Kim Jung-hyun, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Experience (MX) Division, stated, “AI glasses are a significant milestone in expanding Samsung’s AI vision,” adding, “We will continue to expand the Galaxy ecosystem experience based on Samsung’s mobile leadership and collaboration with our partners.”
As the AI glasses market begins to grow in earnest, competition to secure a foothold among industry players including Samsung Electronics, Google, and Meta is intensifying. According to market research firm Omdia, global AI glasses shipments are projected to surge by 322% this year to 8.7 million units compared to last year. Meta also launched two AI glasses models in Korea this day, developed in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica and featuring BLACKPINK’s Jennie as the advertising model.

2. U.S. Amazon, “Confident in Korea as an AI Powerhouse, Investing KRW 7 Trillion Over 5 Years”… Cumulative Investment Reaches KRW 12.6 Trillion

- ‘AWS Summit Seoul 2026’ opens… Emphasizes importance of partnership with Korea
- John Felton, AWS CFO, “Promised KRW 7 trillion in additional investment with President Lee Jae-myung”
Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced that it is confident in Korea’s rise as an artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse and will make a cumulative investment of 12.6 trillion won by 2031. AWS is the cloud computing subsidiary of Amazon, the largest online commerce company in the U.S., and is the world’s leading cloud computing company.
John Felton, AWS Chief Financial Officer (CFO), said during his keynote speech at "AWS Summit Seoul 2026" held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on the 20th, "With an additional investment of 7 trillion won by 2031, our total investment commitment to Korea since 2018 will reach 12.6 trillion won."
He added, “This is the largest greenfield investment ever made by a single foreign company in Korea, and it is expected to create 12,300 new jobs, contribute 15 trillion won to GDP, and produce more than 300,000 graduates of cloud technology training programs.”
CFO Felton made these remarks while referencing the investment plan promised by AWS CEO Matt Garman during his meeting with President Lee Jae-myung last October, when Garman visited Korea to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju. At that time, Garman announced plans to invest a total of over $5 billion (approximately 7 trillion won) by 2031, including the construction of new AI data centers in the Incheon and Gyeonggi areas.
Explaining the rationale behind this large-scale investment commitment, CFO Felton stated, “South Korea is one of the most strategically important ecosystems in the world today,” adding, “This decision demonstrates AWS’s confidence in South Korea, which possesses a world-class digital infrastructure, an industrial ecosystem spanning semiconductors, manufacturing, and finance, outstanding technical talent, and the government’s strong commitment to becoming a leading AI powerhouse.”
He noted that agentic AI and physical AI are fundamentally changing the AI paradigm, diagnosing that an era of AI is dawning that goes beyond simply answering questions to one where AI can independently reason, plan, and autonomously execute workflows.
CFO Felton emphasized that this transition will present the greatest economic opportunity across industries led by Korea, and that AWS will stand as a long-term partner to support this effort.
Meanwhile, AWS Summit Seoul, now in its 12th year, has established itself as the largest AI and cloud conference in the country. Over 50,000 people pre-registered for this year’s summit, which featured 18 tracks, more than 120 sessions, and participation from over 60 partner companies.

3. Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ ‘AI semiconductor Devices’ Breaks into U.S. Big Tech

- KRW 1.5 trillion supply contract over two years
- Next-generation product to replace existing MLCCs
- Significantly reduces heat generation and power consumption “solidifying position as a key supplier in the AI era”
Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 20th that it has signed a contract to supply silicon capacitors—semiconductor devices used for high-density energy storage—to a major U.S. tech company. Silicon capacitors are essential components for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and are also one of the products Samsung Electro-Mechanics is cultivating as a new growth engine. This marks the first time Samsung Electro-Mechanics has supplied this product to a customer on a large scale. The company plans to accelerate its push into the AI infrastructure market by leveraging its silicon capacitors.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics disclosed on the same day that it had signed a 1.557 trillion won contract to supply silicon capacitors to a major global company. This comes just two years after the company entered the market by supplying prototypes to customers. The contract period runs from January of next year through December 31, 2028. Although the company has decided not to disclose the client until the contract expires, industry observers believe it is a major U.S. tech firm. Chang Duckhyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, stated, “This contract is an important milestone in solidifying Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ position as a key component supplier in the AI era,” adding, “We will expand our product lineup and further strengthen our cooperation with global clients.”
A capacitor is a semiconductor device that functions as a condenser, storing and releasing electrical energy. Previously, multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), which consist of multiple layers of ceramic and metal, were primarily used. Using silicon instead of ceramic can reduce heat generation and power consumption. This is why silicon capacitors are considered the next-generation product set to replace MLCCs. In particular, silicon capacitors are seen as more advantageous for AI semiconductors. They allow for thinner semiconductor package designs and can be placed in close proximity to high-performance semiconductors, maximizing data transmission speed and stability. However, their higher technical complexity and manufacturing costs compared to MLCCs are cited as drawbacks.
This is why President Chang has identified silicon capacitors as a future growth engine. Upon taking office in 2022, he established a “New Business Task Force (TF)” and strengthened support for silicon capacitors and other initiatives. The goal is to diversify the company’s MLCC-centric portfolio and increase market share in the silicon capacitor sector, which is gaining attention as a next-generation growth area. Last year, President Chang promised, “We will generate over 100 billion won in revenue from silicon capacitors within the next one to two years.”
As a latecomer to the silicon capacitor market, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is seeking to expand its market share by leveraging its ultra-fine process capabilities. The silicon capacitor market features high technological barriers to entry and stringent customer certification procedures. As a result, a small number of companies, such as Japan’s Murata and TDK, have dominated the market. A Samsung Electro-Mechanics official stated, “We have actively leveraged the technical expertise accumulated in our core MLCC and package substrate businesses,” adding, “Consequently, results are emerging faster than expected.”
A prime example is the supply of silicon capacitors to U.S. semiconductor company Marvell Technology last year. Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ silicon capacitors were also used in Samsung Electronics’ foldable smartphone, the “Galaxy Z Flip 7.” The company is also steadily expanding its production capacity. The utilization rate of production facilities at Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ Component Business Division, which is responsible for silicon capacitor production, reached 95% in the first quarter of this year. This effectively represents “full capacity.” The rate has been steadily rising since hitting a low of 58% in 2023.


Ⅱ. SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY TRENDS

1. Doosan’s Acquisition of SK Siltron ‘On Track,’ Transforming into a Core Semiconductor Company

- KDB arranges KRW 2.5 Trillion in financing
- Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for 70.6% stake to be signed by end of this month
- Prospects for vertical integration of front-end and back-end semiconductor processes
- Group-wide push for advanced industrialization
Doosan Group’s acquisition of SK Siltron, the world’s third-largest silicon wafer manufacturer, is proceeding smoothly in its final stages. Through the acquisition of SK Siltron, Doosan Group will establish a value chain spanning the entire semiconductor front-end and back-end processes.
According to industry and financial sources on the 19th, the Korea Development Bank (KDB), acting as a joint lead arranger with Woori Bank, is arranging 2.5 trillion won in financing for Doosan Group. Under this structure, half of the 5 trillion won that Doosan is investing in the SK Siltron acquisition will be raised through KDB channels.
Of the 2.5 trillion won arranged by KDB, 1 trillion won is earmarked for the acquisition, while the remaining 1.5 trillion won will be used to settle debt obligations arising from the change in ownership. However, the 2.5 trillion won figure is a tentative target, and the amount may change during the fundraising process. The allocation ratio with Woori Bank has also not yet been finalized.
Doosan Group plans to sign a share purchase agreement (SPA) by the end of this month for a 70.6% stake in SK Siltron, comprising the 51% stake held by SK Group and the 19.6% stake under the total return swap (TRS) agreement.
This means the deal has effectively reached the finalization stage approximately five months after Doosan was selected as the preferred bidder for SK Siltron in December of last year. Subsequently, Doosan Group plans to acquire the 29.4% personal stake held by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won through a separate agreement, thereby completing the acquisition of 100% ownership within the year.
Once this acquisition is finalized, Doosan Group will instantly emerge as a leading semiconductor materials and equipment company.
By securing SK Siltron’s custom wafers in addition to Doosan Tesna (semiconductor back-end testing), acquired in 2022, and the copper-clad laminate (CCL) business of Doosan’s Electronics Business Group, Doosan will establish a vertically integrated structure covering both front-end and back-end semiconductor processes.
In particular, SK Siltron is a manufacturer of silicon wafers, which are used in the very front end of semiconductor manufacturing. It ranks third in global market share for 12-inch wafers and is the only wafer manufacturer in South Korea. As of the end of last year, its revenue reached 2.0574 trillion won, with an operating profit of 193.1 billion won.
Additionally, Doosan Electronics BG produces CCL (copper-clad laminate), the base material for semiconductor circuit boards, and has recently been rapidly expanding its business into high-value-added product lines for AI accelerators and servers. Doosan Tesna is a specialist in system semiconductor testing, including mobile application processors (APs), image sensors (CIS), and power management ICs (PMICs), and is the leading company in Korea in the field of post-process wafer testing.
For Doosan Group, this also marks another round of restructuring following its 2007 acquisition of the U.S. construction equipment manufacturer Bobcat. After undergoing a voluntary agreement with creditors in 2020, Doosan has been reorganizing its business around three core pillars: machinery (Doosan Bobcat and Doosan Robotics), energy (Doosan Enerbility and Doosan Fuel Cell), and semiconductors and advanced materials (Doosan Tesna). With the acquisition of SK Siltron, the semiconductor and advanced materials sector, which has been considered a relatively weak pillar, will instantly emerge as a core growth engine.
If the SPA is signed by the end of this month, the final contract is expected to be finalized following a review of the business combination by the Fair Trade Commission and the completion of licensing procedures. Industry observers predict that SK Siltron will begin contributing to Doosan’s earnings starting in the second half of the year.
A Doosan Group official stated, “It is difficult to confirm specific details regarding the acquisition schedule or the contract before an official announcement is made,” but added, “Once SK Siltron is acquired, the Group’s semiconductor lineup will be strengthened, and it will help the Group enter the high-tech industry.”

2. ‘Semiconductor Performance Up 63 Times with Light Alone’… DGIST Develops 2D Semiconductor Control Technology

The Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) announced on the 20th that it has developed a new optical doping technology capable of precisely controlling the electrical properties of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors using light.
DGIST stated that this is a core process technology necessary for realizing next-generation ultra-small, highly integrated semiconductors, and is expected to contribute to the future development of 2D-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and 3D semiconductor devices.
To address these issues, the research team applied this new technology and succeeded in precisely creating critical defects—which alter the electrical properties of semiconductors—only at desired locations using light. The team explained that this is significant because it enables precise defect control under lower energy conditions compared to conventional direct laser irradiation methods.
Professor Kwon Hyuk-Jun of Electrical and Computer Engineering at DGIST said, “This is highly significant because we have presented a new defect control platform that goes beyond simply improving semiconductor characteristics to precisely forming atomic-level defects at desired locations using only light.” He added, “We expect this technology to be widely utilized as a core localized doping technique for future semiconductor processes, including next-generation 2D semiconductor-based CMOS.”

3. “The $1 Trillion Semiconductor Era Is Coming”… Mercury Forecasts 200% Surge in Memory Market

- Release of the ‘Q2 ICT Trends Report’
- Timeline for surpassing $1 trillion rapidly moved up from 2030
- NAND growth revised upward to 300%, DRAM to 147%
- Memory’s share to expand from 30% to 50%
- Big Tech hyperscalers to increase investment by 80%
- Shift to 'binding long-term contracts' of 3–5 years
Driven by the AI investment boom, forecasts indicate that the global semiconductor market will surpass $1 trillion this year.
According to the financial sector on the 21st, Lee Mi-hye, a senior researcher at the Overseas Economic Research Institute of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, analyzed in the "Q2 ICT Industry Trends and Outlook" report published on the 12th that "the memory semiconductor market this year is expected to grow by approximately 200% year-over-year to $677.5 billion (approximately 1,020.2 trillion won), reaching a size comparable to the non-memory semiconductor market."
Based on an analysis of data from major global market research firms such as Omdia and TrendForce, Lee predicted that the growth rate of the memory semiconductor market, which powers AI inference models, will exceed previous forecasts by up to three times.
The growth rate for the NAND flash market, which consists of long-term memory semiconductors, was significantly revised upward from the previous annual forecast of 94% to 300%.
The growth forecast for the DRAM market, a short-term memory semiconductor, has also been raised from the previous 85% to 147%.
Accordingly, this year’s market size is projected to reach $304 billion (approximately 457.7 trillion won) for NAND flash and $371.5 billion (approximately 559.4 trillion won) for DRAM.
The share of memory in the overall semiconductor market is also set to skyrocket from the previous 30% range to 50%, effectively doubling.
Behind this rapid growth lies aggressive capital expenditure (CAPEX) by hyperscalers—such as North American Big Tech companies leading the AI market—which operate massive data centers.


According to market research firm TrendForce, the investment scale this year for major hyperscalers—including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle,ByteDance, Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu are expected to reach nearly $830 billion (approximately 1,249.8 trillion won) this year—an 80% year-over-year surge that exceeds initial forecasts (a 61% increase from the previous year).
In particular, the fact that Big Tech companies are shifting from memory supply contracts previously signed on a quarterly or annual basis to long-term contracts spanning 3 to 5 years supports the sustainability of demand.
Senior Researcher Lee explained, "As the memory semiconductor supply shortage becomes chronic, there has been a strong push to secure several years’ worth of inventory in advance," adding, "The long-term supply contracts being signed recently are being concluded in a highly binding form that locks in purchase volumes in advance."
The Export-Import Bank of Korea predicted that, driven by this surge in memory semiconductor demand and rising prices, the export volume of domestic semiconductor companies will also continue its steep upward trend in the second quarter.


Ⅲ. BATTERY AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDUSTRY TREND

1. Posco Future M Secures Mass Production Technology for Silicon Anodes… Moves to Lead the Next-Generation Battery Market

- Four times the capacity of graphite and fast-charging capabilities
- Aiming for mass production by 2028… Targeting EVs and robots
- Volume expansion issue resolved… Commercialization a step closer
POSCO Future M has secured mass production technology for silicon anodes, a key material for next-generation batteries, and is now poised to enter the future battery market. The company plans to begin mass production and supply by 2028 to meet the growing demand for high-performance batteries in electric vehicles (EVs), humanoid robots, and urban air mobility (UAM).
On the 20th, POSCO Future M announced that it has significantly mitigated the issue of volume expansion—considered the biggest hurdle to the commercialization of silicon anodes—by applying its proprietary silicon nano-sizing and carbon composite technologies.
Silicon anodes are next-generation materials that offer more than four times the energy storage capacity of conventional graphite-based anodes and feature faster charging speeds. Demand is expected to grow rapidly, particularly in the premium electric vehicle market, which demands both extended driving range and shorter charging times.
The silicon anode material developed by POSCO Future M maintained more than 80% of its initial capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles, even in tests where the mixing ratio with graphite-based anode material was increased to over 20%. Considering that the mixing ratio of silicon anode material in existing batteries has remained in the single digits, this is evaluated as having secured both high capacity and the ability to maintain long-term performance simultaneously.
POSCO Future M has secured mass production technology by conducting product testing and quality verification with major domestic and international clients. The company plans to begin mass production and supply in 2028 after comprehensively evaluating market demand and industry conditions.
In particular, the company is enhancing the maturity of its technology by continuing its collaboration with Factorial, a U.S.-based all-solid-state battery company, in the areas of cathode materials and silicon anode materials.
The head of POSCO Future M’s Technology Research Institute stated, “Silicon anodes are next-generation core materials that will determine battery performance,” adding, “Based on our accumulated material technology and mass production experience, we will provide the best solutions to our customers while continuously expanding our competitiveness in the global market.”

2. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI Begin Mass Production of LFP Batteries for ESS in the U.S.; Tax Benefits Require Higher Proportion of Non-Chinese Materials

Starting with LG Energy Solution’s mass production of LFP batteries for ESS at its standalone plant in Holland, Michigan, last June, domestic battery cell manufacturers have begun full-scale mass production of LFP batteries centered on their U.S. production bases. LG Energy Solution will also begin mass-producing LFP batteries for ESS at the GM joint venture plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, starting in the second quarter of this year.
Samsung SDI began producing NCA batteries for ESS at its Stellantis joint venture plant in Indiana last October and is currently preparing to convert a production line to LFP batteries for ESS, targeting operation in the fourth quarter of this year. SK On will begin mass production of LFP batteries for ESS starting late this year. To this end, the company plans to convert part of its electric vehicle battery production line at its Georgia plant into an ESS line.
However, under the U.S. tax cut law “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), enacted last July, batteries produced in North America must meet the Material Assistance Cost Ratio (MACR) to qualify for the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC). MACR refers to the proportion of direct material costs—such as cathode and anode materials used in battery production—that are not sourced from Prohibited Foreign Entities (PFEs), including China.
The MACR starts at 60% this year and will increase by 5 percentage points (p) annually, rising to 10 percentage points by 2028 and reaching 85% starting in 2030. This presents an opportunity for domestic battery material companies. The structure makes it increasingly difficult to receive the AMPC unless various materials previously sourced from Chinese battery material companies are replaced with non-Chinese alternatives, and Korean-made products are effectively the only viable substitutes for Chinese ones.
A battery industry official stated, “Domestic battery cell manufacturers entering the U.S. ESS market now have no choice but to use Korean materials instead of Chinese ones to receive tax benefits,” adding, “The U.S. government’s policy to decouple from China in the supply chain is expected to strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation system within the K-Battery ecosystem, spanning from battery cell manufacturers to material suppliers.”

3. Increased EV Demand in Q1 2026

- ‘Zeekr’ alongside Porsche and BMW…
- Chinese EVs flood in as the chasm closes
A showroom for the Chinese electric vehicle brand ‘Zeekr’ recently opened on Yeongdong-daero in Gangnam, Seoul, a street lined with showrooms for imported cars such as Porsche and BMW.
When visited on the 20th, the Zeekr showroom saw a steady stream of visitors even on a weekday afternoon amid heavy rain. Zeekr plans to launch its midsize electric SUV, the ‘7X,’ in the domestic market, but since the certification process is still underway, there are currently no vehicles available for sale. Nevertheless, visitors were closely examining models such as the ‘001 FR’ and ‘9X,’ which are expected to cost well over 100 million won.
While many visitors were in their 30s and 40s, there were also quite a few middle-aged and older adults. It is said that last weekend, people even had to line up to enter. When asked, “Aren’t you hesitant because it’s a Chinese car?” Ms. Lee, a visitor, replied, “I was surprised by how good the features are—they’re on a completely different level compared to domestic cars in the same price range. I’m looking to replace my car soon, so I’m taking a close look at these.”
The automotive industry anticipates that this year will see the end of the electric vehicle “chasm” (stagnant demand) in the Korean market, while the surge of Chinese cars will become the biggest topic of discussion. According to the CarIsYou Data Lab on the 21st, the number of registered electric passenger vehicles surged from 122,775 in 2024 to 197,613 in 2025.
In particular, with 109,319 units already registered between January and April this year alone, the total is expected to far exceed last year’s record. In its recently released quarterly report, Hyundai Motor declared the “end of the EV chasm” regarding the Korean market, stating, “In the first quarter of 2026, the EV chasm came to a full end, and as manufacturers aggressively cut EV prices, market demand shifted toward electric vehicles.”
In fact, the offensive by Chinese EV manufacturers has intensified this year. Tesla sold 34,161 units through April, led by its China-produced “Model Y.” This means that 31.2% of electric passenger cars sold in Korea were Chinese-made Teslas. BYD, a Chinese EV brand that debuted in the domestic market last year, has sold 5,991 units since the beginning of the year by launching low-cost models such as the “Dolphin.” It has already nearly matched last year’s sales volume (6,107 units) and is expected to solidify its position as the fourth-largest imported car brand.
The industry anticipates that Chinese electric vehicle brands—led by Zeekr, which is set to launch a vehicle this summer, as well as Xpeng and Xiaomi— will enter the domestic market. An official from the imported vehicle sector stated, “Since Chinese electric vehicles have survived fierce competition among some 200 companies in the domestic (Chinese) market, each has its own unique positioning and strengths, making them formidable competitors.”
While BYD, China’s top brand, is targeting the domestic market with affordable “value-for-money” models, Zeekr, which focuses on premium electric vehicles, is betting on vehicles priced around 100 million won with an emphasis on high-end interiors. Xpeng, living up to its nickname as “China’s Tesla,” appeals to tech-savvy consumers, while Xiaomi, dubbed “China’s Apple,” highlights minimalist design and smart features.


Ⅵ. ROBOT INDUSTRY TRENDS

1. Hyundai Motor Group “To Introduce 25,000 Atlas Units”

- To be deployed sequentially at Hyundai and Kia plants
- Specific timeline for deployment not specified
- Boston Dynamics IPO status “Undecided”
Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled a blueprint for the local production and utilization of “Atlas,” the humanoid robot developed by its robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics, in the United States. Although a specific timeline for deployment was not disclosed, analysts suggest that the robot’s deployment to production sites is imminent.
On the 18th (local time), Hyundai Motor Group held a robotics strategy investor relations (IR) briefing for overseas institutional investors at The Westin Boston Seaport District in the U.S. During the event, the group announced an ambitious plan to introduce more than 25,000 Atlas units to the automotive production sites of Hyundai Motor and Kia in the future. Although specific implementation dates were not specified, the industry believes the actual deployment of the robots is very close.
To this end, Hyundai Motor Group plans to build a humanoid actuator production facility in the U.S. with an annual production capacity of over 350,000 units, targeting operation by 2028. Actuators, which serve as the joints of the robots, are considered a core component, accounting for 60% of the total manufacturing cost of a humanoid robot.
The division of roles among the group’s affiliates for robot production and operation also appears to be taking shape. According to industry sources, Hyundai Mobis will be solely responsible for factory operations, while Hyundai Glovis will handle various logistics tasks, such as supplying parts and finished products for Atlas production. It is reported that Hyundai AutoEver will be in charge of building the software infrastructure that underpins the robots’ operation.
Meanwhile, some market observers have suggested that Boston Dynamics may be gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO). However, Kia CEO Song Ho-sung recently drew a clear line during an investor briefing, stating, “We have not yet decided on the timing of an IPO or whether to pursue external funding,” and added, “It is still too early to mention an expected listing date.”

2. “After the Cloud Comes Robots”… AWS to Foster Physical AI in Korea

- Comprehensive support backed by experience operating 1 million robots
- To serve as a springboard for domestic startups’ global expansion
Amazon Web Services (AWS) views “Physical AI”, which extends beyond the digital realm into the physical world, as a core pillar of the next-generation cloud market and is launching a full-scale initiative to support domestic robotics and autonomous manufacturing companies. Leveraging its hands-on experience operating over 1 million robots in logistics centers worldwide and its advanced cloud infrastructure, AWS aims to support the global expansion of Korea’s Physical AI industry.
During his keynote speech at “AWS Summit Seoul 2026” held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on the 20th, the head of AWS Korea stated, “Generative AI is now evolving beyond ‘Agentic AI’—where AI independently judges and performs tasks—into the stage of ‘Physical AI,’ which extends into the physical world.” He emphasized, “South Korea is a country with a dynamic Physical AI ecosystem, ranging from AI chip design to robot foundation models, and spanning manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and defense.”
On the same day, AWS also unveiled the “Physical AI Frontier Program” to support Korean companies’ global expansion.
The core of this program is that a team of AWS experts provides technical support throughout the entire Physical AI development process, including data collection, model training, simulation, and edge inference. The plan is to serve as a bridge to the global market by also facilitating direct business connections with major domestic companies.
John Felton, AWS Chief Financial Officer (CFO), stated, “Agentic AI and Physical AI are fundamentally changing the AI paradigm itself,” adding, “This transformation will create the greatest economic opportunities of a career across industries where Korea holds a competitive advantage.”
Domestic Physical AI Companies Advance ‘Autonomous Collaboration and Production’ Using AWS Infrastructure
In the “Physical AI Zone” set up within the exhibition area at “AWS Summit Seoul 2026,” promising domestic companies such as ROAI, Config, and Neubility demonstrated a wide range of physical AI technologies that are innovating actual industrial sites based on the AWS cloud.
ROAI, a spatial intelligence-based autonomous production infrastructure company, is advancing its “SIM2REAL” technology, which uses Amazon EC2 and EKS to control actual robots based on results learned in a 3D simulation environment. Neubility, a company specializing in delivery and patrol robots, presented a cloud-based operational model that connects on-site robots to a network control center (NCC) in real time using Amazon Kinesis Video Streams and other services.
‘Config,’ which develops collaborative environments where humans and robots share the same workspace, is reliably scaling the training, preprocessing, and labeling workloads for its Robot Foundation Model (RFM) using ‘Amazon SageMaker HyperPod’—a service dedicated to training large-scale AI models—and Amazon EKS.
Son Hyungmok, Config’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who spoke at the Physical AI session, emphasized that data diversity is essential for robots to make independent judgments and possess generalized intelligence, underscoring the importance of AWS’s technical support. The explanation is that cloud infrastructure can help overcome the business bottleneck caused by the fact that, unlike existing language models, robot action data is not readily available on the web, making it difficult to acquire in large quantities. CTO Son Hyungmok advised, “To train a robot foundation model that demonstrates good generalization performance, the key is ultimately to collect data broadly and densely within various contexts such as objects, environments, and actions.”

3. World’s First Autonomous Self-Check-In Robot Operates at Incheon Airport

Incheon International Airport has introduced the world’s first autonomous self-check-in robots.
Incheon International Airport Corporation announced on the 18th that it has introduced 31 autonomous robots across three types: autonomous self-check-in robots, guidance and patrol robots, and docent robots.
The autonomous self-check-in robots approach passengers first to provide self-check-in services similar to those offered by existing kiosks. Previously, passengers had to go to a designated kiosk location to use self-check-in services.
The self-check-in robots assist passengers with check-in while autonomously navigating to crowded check-in counters. A total of 10 self-check-in robots were introduced, with five deployed at each of Terminals 1 and 2. At Terminal 2, passengers can use the self-check-in robots to check in for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Jin Air. Each self-check-in robot costs 136 million won.
The guidance and patrol robots are equipped with generative AI technology, enabling natural voice conversations with passengers. They provide information on airport facilities, flights, and congestion levels in four languages: Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Notably, while they typically operate as information assistants, they switch to patrol mode during emergencies, immediately deploying to the scene and relaying the situation to the control room in real time. A total of 19 guidance and patrol robots have been introduced, with nine deployed at Terminal 1 and ten at Terminal 2.
The docent robots serve as cultural guides, providing information on exhibition pieces and airport facilities. When a specific exhibit is selected, the robots offer detailed explanations through images and audio, and they are designed to showcase the beauty of Korean culture to travelers from around the world through multilingual guidance. A total of two docent robots has been deployed, one at the Control Tower of the Second Apron and the other at the Transportation Center of Terminal 1.
Each guidance/patrol robot and docent robot costs 95 million won.


Ⅴ. BIO INDUSTRY TRENDS

1. Yuhan Corporation Signs RKW 210.2 Billion Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Supply Contract with Gilead

- Benefiting from ‘expanded production capacity’ at subsidiary Yuhan Chemical
- Cumulative orders of 632 billion won recorded over the past two years
Yuhan Corporation announced on the 20th that it has signed an API supply contract with global pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. The contract is valued at $139,818,540 (approximately 210.2 billion won). The indications for the drugs to be supplied were not disclosed.
Yuhan Corporation has recently secured a series of major API supply contracts. In September 2024 and May 2025, the company signed API supply contracts for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatments totaling 196.5 billion won. In August of last year, it secured API supply contracts for AIDS and hepatitis C treatments worth 84.3 billion won and 85 billion won, respectively. All of these contracts are for supplies to the global pharmaceutical company Gilead.
Earlier this month, the company signed a 56 billion won contract with U.S.-based Bridge Biopharma to supply APIs for a cardiomyopathy treatment. Including this latest contract with Gilead, the cumulative order volume over the past two years amounts to approximately 632 billion won.
Yuhan Corporation’s overseas API business is managed by its subsidiary, Yuhan Chemical. This order is seen as a tangible result of the production facility investments and expansions carried out over the past several years. Yuhan Chemical completed the expansion of Building HB at its Hwaseong plant last April, securing a total production capacity of 995,000 liters. Driven by the resulting increase in orders, Yuhan Chemical’s revenue last year reached 289.7 billion won, a 36.5% increase compared to 2024.

2. Targeting China’s ‘KRW 5,700 Trillion’ Silver Market… K-Bio One Team Strategizes for Local Market Entry

- KOTRA hosts ‘Medical Korea in China’ in Beijing
- 21 companies participate, including pharmaceutical and medical device firms
- Tangible results achieved, including partnerships with Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical companies
As China, a nation of 1.4 billion people, ages at a rapid pace, Korean medical and pharmaceutical companies have united as a single team to enter the Chinese silver industry. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on the 19th that it is co-hosting “Medical Korea in China” in Beijing, China, for three days starting on the 18th, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.
This event marks the first business cooperation initiative in the silver industry since the signing of a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Silver Economy" between Korean and Chinese government agencies last November.
China currently has a population of over 320 million people aged 60 or older and is on the verge of entering a super-aged society. In particular, it took only about 25 years for the proportion of the population aged 60 or older to double from 10% to 20%, making it the fastest-aging major country.
Accordingly, the Chinese silver market is projected to reach approximately 30 trillion yuan (about 5,700 trillion won) by 2035. Recently, China’s elderly population has emerged as a key consumer group for value- and health-related products, referred to as “active seniors” due to their substantial assets and digital literacy. The fact that the State Council designated the silver industry as a national strategic industry in 2024 and that relevant government agencies have stepped in to provide support is also a factor accelerating the growth of the silver industry.
This year’s “Medical Korea in China” event consisted of the operation of the Korean Pavilion at the “China International Elderly Care Service Industry Expo”—China’s leading silver industry exhibition—and the “Korea-China Silver Economy Forum” held on the same day.
At the China International Elderly Care Service Industry Expo, 21 companies, including domestic medical institutions and pharmaceutical and medical device firms, participated in the Korean Pavilion, conducting over 500 export and investment consultations with approximately 70 Chinese buyers and investment firms.
Tangible results are also beginning to emerge. Company W, a developer of smart access control systems for the elderly, has confirmed its first export shipment within the year, while G Plastic Surgery and B Dermatology have agreed to pursue a $1 million cooperation project over the next five years, including setting up clinics within hospitals directly operated by a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company and launching a joint brand.

3. Bio-Pharma Companies See Improved Earnings Thanks to First-Quarter Overseas Performance

In the first quarter of this year, the performance of bio-pharmaceutical companies varied widely depending on their results in overseas markets.
A review of earnings reports from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry reveals that overseas performance was the key factor that distinguished the results of major companies in the first quarter of this year.
Samsung Biologics boosted its performance on the back of global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) demand; Celltrion expanded its biosimilar portfolio; SK Biopharm drove growth through direct sales of new drugs in the U.S.; GC Green Cross capitalized on the U.S. blood product market; and Yuhan Corporation leveraged its overseas operations and licensing revenue.
Samsung Biologics reported consolidated revenue of 1.2571 trillion won and operating profit of 580.8 billion won for the first quarter of this year. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 26% and operating profit by 35%. The full operation of Plants 1 through 4 drove both revenue growth and improved profitability.
The improvement in performance is underpinned by CDMO orders from global pharmaceutical companies. Since its founding, Samsung Biologics has secured a cumulative total of 112 contract manufacturing (CMO) and 169 contract development (CDO) orders. The total value of these cumulative orders amounts to $21.4 billion (approximately 31.6 trillion won). The company’s ability to meet global biopharmaceutical production demand using its domestic facilities was reflected in its first-quarter results.
The acquisition of overseas production hubs is also cited as a key driver of mid- to long-term growth. Samsung Biologics completed the acquisition of a production facility in Rockville, U.S., at the end of March. By establishing a dual production system linking Songdo, South Korea, and Rockville, U.S., the company has expanded production options for its global clients.
Celltrion reported consolidated revenue of 1.145 trillion won and operating profit of 321.9 billion won for the first quarter of this year. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 36% and operating profit by 115.5%. Both revenue and operating profit reached record highs for a first quarter.
The key driver was the expansion of global sales for its new biosimilar product portfolio. Celltrion currently sells 11 biosimilar products in the global market. Among these, sales of high-margin new products increased by 67% year-over-year, reaching 581.2 billion won in the first quarter alone. The share of new product sales in total product revenue also rose to 60%.
In Europe, the company continued to win tenders in major countries. Omlyclo, launched last September, achieved market shares of 98% in Denmark, 80% in Spain, and 70% in the Netherlands within approximately four months. In the U.S., prescriptions for Zymfentra and Steqeyma continued to expand. Securing reimbursement coverage through listing with large pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) has driven the growth of these high-margin product lines.
SK Biopharm boosted its earnings, led by its new epilepsy drug Cenobamate, which it is currently marketing directly in the U.S. market. In the first quarter of this year, the company reported consolidated revenue of 227.9 billion won and operating profit of 89.8 billion won. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 57.8% and operating profit by 249.7%.
First-quarter U.S. sales of Cenobamate, marketed in the U.S. under the brand name XCOPRI, reached 197.7 billion won, a 48.4% increase year-over-year. The majority of total revenue was generated in the U.S. This is significant because it marks the first time a new drug developed by a Korean company has boosted quarterly earnings through direct sales in the U.S., rather than relying solely on royalties following a technology export.
Prescription metrics also supported this growth trend. As of March, the total monthly prescriptions (TRx) approached approximately 47,000, and the number of new patient prescriptions (NBRx) reached a record high for the first quarter. In China, commercialization began in March of this year through partner company Ignis Therapeutics, and procedures for approval within the year are underway in Japan as well.
GC Pharma’s performance improved, driven primarily by the blood product Alyglo, which has entered the U.S. market. In the first quarter of this year, GC Pharma reported consolidated revenue of 435.5 billion won and operating profit of 11.7 billion won. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 13.5% and operating profit by 46.3%.
Alyglo generated 34.9 billion won in revenue during the first quarter. This figure is approximately four times higher than the same period last year. The expansion of sales in the U.S. has thus had a direct impact on the improvement of GC Green Cross’s quarterly performance. Uncertainty surrounding the U.S. business has also been partially alleviated following the announcement of U.S. tariff policies in April, which included plasma fractionation products among items exempt from tariffs.
The stabilization of operations at ABO Plasma, a U.S. plasma center subsidiary, is also cited as a foundation for mid- to long-term growth. Recently, the Laredo, Texas, plasma center obtained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and plans are underway to open the Eagle Pass plasma center within the year. This trend reflects the expansion of the U.S. business foundation, ranging from securing raw plasma to selling finished products.
Yuhan Corporation’s overseas business supported its overall growth. Yuhan Corporation recorded sales of 509.6 billion won and an operating profit of 8.8 billion won in the first quarter of this year. Sales increased by 8.6% year-over-year, while operating profit rose by 2.1%.
By business segment, licensing revenue and the growth of overseas operations stood out. First-quarter licensing revenue reached 4.9 billion won, a 24.0% increase year-over-year, while overseas sales rose 21.4% to 106.0 billion won, driven by favorable exchange rates and growth in active pharmaceutical ingredients.
While revenue grew, some companies saw their profitability decline. Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s operating profit decreased due to a one-time base effect from the supply of clinical samples in the same period last year and an increase in R&D expenses, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s profitability was pressured by higher SG&A expenses, including R&D costs. SK Bioscience saw its losses widen due to the relocation to the Songdo Global R&D Center, the full-scale launch of clinical trials for its pneumococcal vaccine, and investments to streamline IDT operations. Huons posted a loss due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration holding up customs clearance for its export products, the termination of certain businesses, and the reflection of recall costs for products distributed in the U.S.
An industry insider stated, “Since there are limits to growth relying solely on the domestic market, the ability to secure stable overseas sales has become a key determinant of performance,” adding, “In the first quarter of this year, companies that achieved results in overseas markets showed relatively significant improvements in their performance.”
　

Prev　
No Data ...

Next　
Korean Industrial Insight No.27 of AI, Semiconductors, Batteries, Electric vehicles, Robot, and Bio in chinese