Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Trade minister pledges support for AI robotics industry at Boston Dynamics
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang, center, poses with Boston Dynamics CLO Jason Fiorillo, left, and Boston Dynamics AI Institute Executive Director Marc Raibert at the office of Boston Dynamics in Massachusetts, U.S., April 28 (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang visited Boston Dynamics, the future robotics technology hub for Hyundai Motor Group in Massachusetts, U.S., the automobile giant said Sunday.
The visit of Korea's top industry policymaker and a group of ministry officials, April 28 (local time), was a major schedule arranged in coordination with President Yoon Suk Yeol's six-day state visit to the U.S.
Hyundai said the minister's visit will advance the alliance between Korea and the U.S. beyond military and security matters to encompass high-tech industries, an outlook bolstered further by an annual growth of 13 percent expected every year from $28.2 billion (37.8 trillion won) in 2023 to $83.1 billion in 2030.
Hyundai said Lee attended a technical demonstration of Spot, a four-legged walking robot, Atlas, a humanoid robot, and Stretch, a collaborative logistics robot.
Spot is able to handle exploration missions in industrial sites, as enabled by sound and temperature detection devices as well as vision sensors. It withstands temperatures of between minus 20 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius, and is waterproof and dustproof.
Its 98-centimeter multi-purpose robot arm can hold, lift and move objects.
The high-tech robot is currently used for safety maintenance at construction and industrial sites of Kia Autoland, a manufacturing plant, and Hyundai E&C.
Atlas has a total of 28 hydraulic power joints and is able to best mimic human movements, according to the firm. It is able to maintain balance and stable posture thanks to cognitive sensors. The robot can move 2.5 meters per second and is able to grip objects for an extended period of time.
“Korea will provide policy assistance to help expedite the development of the future mobility and smart technology industries,” Lee said during the visit.
“The Hyundai-Boston Dynamics cooperation in the robotics industry will help fortify the Korea-U.S. tech alliance, as underpinned by long-term investments and business planning leading to a successful market expansion.”