As the robotics industry rapidly grows to boost productivity, the government is developing bold, advanced robotics regulatory innovation plans to expand new business into the robotics industry.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced its "Advanced Robot Regulatory Innovation Plan" at the 3rd Regulatory Innovation Strategy Meeting held in Pangyo on March 2nd. This plan identifies 51 tasks centered on four key areas: mobility, safety, collaboration and assistance, and infrastructure. Of these, 39 tasks, or 76%, are scheduled for implementation by 2024.

The robotics industry is projected to more than triple in size, from $28.2 billion in 2021 to $83.1 billion in 2030. As the number of related workers in Korea is expected to increase from 31,000 to 37,000, the robotics industry is being considered as a future growth engine.

The government has significantly improved regulations to introduce advanced robots into various industrial settings, responding to changes in the labor market and expanding new industries of the future, ultimately achieving increased productivity.

■ Significant expansion of robot applications in everyday life

First, we will expand robot mobility for autonomous delivery, patrol, and quarantine. To achieve this, we will enhance robot mobility from short to medium- to long-distance travel.

The Intelligent Robot Act will be revised within the year to establish a definition and safety standards for outdoor mobile robots. The Road Traffic Act and related laws will be revised to allow robots to navigate pedestrian walkways and parks. Furthermore, the Personal Information Protection Act will be revised to require advance notice of robot movements and to collect information on surrounding conditions when safety measures are required.

Robotic delivery is also becoming a reality. Robots will be added as a means of transportation for parcel and small package delivery, and they will be able to advertise outdoors.

Rules for operating patrol robots have also been established, allowing robots to serve as mobile CCTVs for solving social problems. However, strict management of safety measures is expected to be necessary to prevent future controversies related to personal information.

The role of robots in assisting humans in various industrial settings is expanding. Robots are being applied to the safety service market not only in construction but also in maritime and firefighting fields.

Marine pollution control business registration standards will be relaxed to allow underwater cleaning robots to recover oil spills. Robots will also be able to clean ship surfaces. Additionally, safety verification is required to ensure that equipment equipped with fire extinguishers can be used. The Korea Fire Institute is developing performance evaluation standards and conducting field tests.
Robots, which promote convenience and safety in our daily lives, also collaborate directly with people. They assist humans in fields such as manufacturing, cooking, agriculture, and rehabilitation.

Agricultural robots will be used for transportation and harvesting, while robots for restaurant use will be mobile and able to move their arms. Restaurants that have adopted robots will be included in hygiene rating criteria to ensure they receive appropriate evaluations. Medical institutions will also expand separate insurance coverage for robots to ensure their use in rehabilitation treatment.

Finally, robots will be utilized to foster new markets through safety verification, establishing a proven foundation, and fostering ecosystems. Robots will be used as a growth engine for emerging industries like electric vehicle charging, and a "Robot Regulatory Innovation Casebook" will be produced to clarify currently ambiguous regulations.

Safety standards and inspection systems for batteries (reusable batteries) used in electric vehicle charging robots will be established, and an insurance system will be established to protect against robot accidents. Furthermore, a test field will be established to promote robot-friendly smart buildings. The Ministry of Employment and Labor is creating a new category for industrial technicians in the National Robotics Technology Qualification.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will periodically review these regulatory innovation measures to ensure they produce tangible benefits for businesses. It will also communicate closely with the industry and continuously identify new areas for improvement. The government plans to announce the "Advanced Robotics Industry Strategy 1.0" (tentative name) in April of this year.


■ Various aspects of domestic robot development
Recently, companies are focusing on the robotics industry as content integrators.

SKT unveiled its AI robot kit for the first time at the "2023 Drone Show Korea" held at BEXCO in Busan. This solution can be attached to a robot to monitor disaster situations, including fires.

Despite its compact size, the AI robot kit is equipped with an AI computer, a 5G modem, front and rear cameras, GPS, speakers, and a microphone. It enables real-time, on-site response, including real-time, high-definition video surveillance. Various options, such as a hazardous gas detector module (RIKEN KEIKI GX-3R Pro) and a thermal imaging camera module, can be installed in the upper slot of the kit as needed.

At the event, SKT AI Robotics Video Business Team Manager Kim Gye-hyang said, “By equipping a large dog with a thermal imaging camera and a small dog with a hazardous gas detector, they can enter equipment rooms that are difficult for people to enter, and prevent gas leak accidents.” He also added, “Starting this year, SKT is focusing on developing AI and robot services company-wide.”

At MWC 2023 in Spain on the 28th, KT unveiled its new "Robot Makers" platform and autonomous delivery robots. The "Robot Makers" platform is cloud-based and connects not only heterogeneous robots but also the infrastructure necessary for robot use, including elevators, ordering and payment applications, doors, intercoms, and cold chains.

KT has implemented a cold chain system capable of regulating temperature and humidity into its delivery robots. This allows for control of not only temperature but also humidity within the container, maximizing the freshness of food during delivery.

KT explained, “The delivery robot we’re introducing this time is a product aimed at resorts and campsites. If you order items remotely using a QR code inside your tent, the robot will deliver them to you.” “Customers will experience a new camping culture that has never been seen before.”

LG Electronics has deployed its Chloe Guidebot at the National Gongju Museum and the National Assembly Museum. "Q-i" integrates various management systems into a single system by adding separate UI software to LG's existing Chloe robot, which is capable of precise autonomous driving and providing bidirectional information forward and backward. Voice recognition and response services for providing various information, cultural commentary services, mobile promotional services to encourage use, and chatbot/robot linkage services are available.

LG Electronics has installed services for the underprivileged, such as providing sign language commentary and subtitle display, and providing separate routes for wheelchairs and strollers, through 'Q-I', which will play the role of a curator, providing cultural commentary and route guidance.

LG Electronics plans to expand the scope of robot application based on its lineup of five robots, including Guidebot, Subbot, UV-Cbot, Carrybot, and Lawnmowerbot.