Collaborative robot specialist Doosan Robotics is significantly escalating its focus on humanoid robot development, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for an AI-centered strategic transformation.
The company is channelling investment into creating “practical humanoids” capable of performing complex tasks efficiently, alongside launching new “intelligent robot solutions”.
At a recent company-wide town hall meeting, CEO Kevin Kim announced a strategic shift from a hardware-centric model. He emphasized that Doosan Robotics aims to “deliver results this year through talent acquisition, organizational restructuring, and M&A” to spearhead innovation in intelligent robotics and humanoid technologies.
In line with this vision, Doosan is initiating a large-scale recruitment drive for experts in robotics R&D, AI, and software. The company plans to establish dedicated R&D teams for AI/Software and humanoid development in the second half of 2025, supported by a new integrated Research and Development Center.
Key technological pursuits for its humanoids include multi-arm simultaneous control, advanced collision avoidance, and long-horizon task planning capabilities.
Doosan’s humanoid ambitions are bolstered by key national collaborations. On April 10, the company joined the “K-Humanoid Alliance”, a major initiative involving over 50 entities and an expected investment exceeding KRW 1 trillion by 2030, aimed at establishing South Korea as a global leader in humanoid robotics. Doosan will contribute by developing shared AI models and advancing core hardware technologies.
Further strengthening its technological foundation, Doosan Robotics signed a memorandum of understanding on May 20 for the “K-On-Device AI Semiconductor Development Collaboration”.
This government-backed project will see Doosan Robotics contribute to developing AI semiconductors specifically optimized for machinery and robotics. These chips are vital for the sophisticated, power-efficient on-board processing required by autonomous humanoids.
Kim says: “To go beyond the collaborative robot market and become a top-tier player in the larger intelligent robot sector, we must drive technological breakthroughs to create product differentiation and deliver greater value to customers.
“We will mobilize all available resources—from technology development and internalization to strategic partnerships and M&A opportunities – while establishing an execution-focused culture to sustain innovation.”
He underscored the company’s adoption of a Blitzscaling strategy to rapidly achieve market dominance, mobilizing all resources towards innovation and execution. Through these concerted efforts, Doosan Robotics is positioning itself as a significant emerging force in the future of humanoid robotics.
