- South Korea targets 2029 mass production of 1,000+ humanoid robots.
- E2E autonomous vehicles to launch in 2030 with $720M investment.
- M.AX alliance eyes 500 AI factories, $72B value by 2030.
South Korea announced a plan to mass-produce humanoid robots by the year 2029 and AI-based end-to-end (E2E) autonomous vehicles by the year 2030, with the objective of positioning South Korea as a leader in the global AI transformation (AX) of manufacturing industries. This announcement was made at the kickoff of the Manufacturing AX Alliance (M.AX) which included major conglomerates like the Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, and Posco Group, and various AI companies to integrate AI technologies to produce advanced manufacturing solutions.
The M.AX, with 10 specific divisions, will emphasize AI factories, manufacturing services, logistics facilities, self-driving cars, humanoid robots, autonomous ships, home appliances, defense utilizing products, biopharmaceutical facilities, and AI chips.
Noteworthy milestones include establishing a basic AI model to enable industrial humanoid robots by 2028, allowing for annual production of at least 1,000 humanoid robots starting in 2029. For autonomous vehicles, the software-defined platforms will be released in 2028, with E2E models- or using a common AI system for all driving- scheduled for 2030. Additionally, the government has made a commitment of 1 trillion won ($720 million) to key technologies like automotive semiconductors and driving simulators.
Also Read: Proton Opens Malaysia's First EV Plant, Targets 45,000 Units
By 2030, the alliance targets 500 AI factories, pioneering fully autonomous ship technologies, 10 globally competitive AI home appliances, and 10 prototypes with domestic on-device AI chips. These efforts are projected to add over 100 trillion won ($72 billion) in economic value.
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan highlighted the voluntary involvement of over 1,000 companies, stating, “Manufacturing AX is crucial for corporate survival. Building on our strengths, we’ll collaborate with the private sector to make South Korea the world’s leading manufacturing AX nation by 2030.”The plan leverages South Korea’s manufacturing prowess to drive innovation across sectors, fostering a resilient ecosystem amid rapid AI advancements.