HD Hyundai Robotics, the robot solutions subsidiary of HD Hyundai (267250), announced on the 11th that it has acquired a stake in Aidin Robotics, a startup specializing in robot sensory technology, for ₩13 billion (approximately $9.6 million). The strategic investment is aimed at securing core technologies for physical artificial intelligence (AI) implementation and humanoid robots. The stake percentage was not disclosed at the request of the investee company.
Through this investment, HD Hyundai Robotics will jointly develop products that combine Aidin Robotics’ force and tactile sensors and control technologies with its own robot platforms. In particular, the two companies plan to build a five-fingered robot hand specialized for shipbuilding and heavy industry sites, which will be mounted on HD Hyundai Robotics’ humanoid robots.
Aidin Robotics was founded in 2019 by Choi Hyouk-ryeol, a professor of mechanical engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, and his former student Lee Yun-haeng, who serves as CEO. The company designs and manufactures sensor solutions that enable robots to precisely perceive touch and force, and exports six-axis force-torque sensors—critical components for robot movement—to 10 countries including Germany, France, Spain, China, and Japan.
In the era of physical AI, competitiveness hinges on how precisely robots can perceive, interact with, and control their physical environment. Since force and tactile information determines the precision and quality of robotic work, Aidin Robotics’ sensor technology is regarded as a core component for humanoid robots. The company is also noted for its strengths in cost competitiveness and miniaturization, in addition to performance.
Beyond developing sensor-integrated products, the two companies will also collaborate on surface treatment automation. They plan to jointly develop solutions that enable robots to perform tasks previously done by humans—such as polishing and grinding—and expand application from shipbuilding and heavy industry sites to the broader South Korean manufacturing sector, before extending into global manufacturing markets including U.S. shipyards.
An HD Hyundai Robotics official said, “This investment is a strategic choice to combine the capabilities of both companies to develop physical AI-based robot solutions. We will continue to strengthen the global competitiveness of South Korea’s robotics industry through strategic partnerships with promising technology companies while actively positioning ourselves to capture future markets.”
An Aidin Robotics official also stated, “We plan to jointly develop next-generation robot solutions that can be applied in actual industrial sites and deploy them across various domestic and international industries.”
Aidin Robotics Secures Additional ₩3 Billion from Samsung Venture Investment
Aidin Robotics also announced on the same day that it has secured a separate ₩3 billion (approximately $2.2 million) investment from Samsung Venture Investment, independent of the HD Hyundai Robotics deal. This brings the company’s total funding raised on the day to ₩16 billion (approximately $11.9 million).
The company previously raised ₩4.5 billion (approximately $3.3 million) in Series A funding in 2022 from DSC Investment, BNK Venture Capital, Kolon Investment, and FuturePlay. In 2024, it successfully closed a ₩15 billion (approximately $11.1 million) Series B round with participation from Korea Investment Partners, POSCO Technology Investment, CJ Logistics, Samsung Next, and GS Ventures.
HD Hyundai Robotics plans to continue expanding strategic partnerships with promising technology companies like Aidin Robotics. The strategy is to rapidly elevate the technological capabilities of South Korea’s robotics industry through joint development and strengthen its position in the global market.