We will work with the global ecosystem to help Korean manufacturers succeed through automation.

Lee Ju-yeon, CEO of Teledyne Robotics, gave a presentation on the topic of “The Future and Automation of Korean Manufacturing” at the “Collaborate Powered by Universial Robots” (Collaborate Korea 2025) seminar held at GS Tower on the 18th, and stated that the future of Korean manufacturing is rapidly being reorganized around automation and robotics technologies.

Teledyne Robotics is a merger of Universal Robots and MiR, and the Universal Robots brand will continue to operate.

CEO Lee Ju-yeon emphasized, “Automation is no longer an option but a necessity to address structural issues such as an aging population, rising labor costs, and a shortage of skilled workers.”

South Korea currently has the highest robot density in the world, and ranks among the top global countries in terms of annual installations.

It is expected that there will be approximately 575,000 robots installed worldwide by 2025, reaching 700,000 by 2028.

Korea is strengthening its global competitiveness by leading automation in key manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, metals, chemicals, and plastics.

The government is also actively supporting the industry. It has set a goal of deploying one million robots and training over 15,000 specialized workers by 2030.

Demonstration projects are underway in various fields, including care, healthcare, and logistics, and policies are being promoted to reduce the costs of introducing automated equipment and robots by supporting smart manufacturing innovation.

The use of collaborative robots (cobots) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is expanding in the industrial sector.

Universal Robots celebrates its 20th anniversary, boasting a 30% global market share and working with over 1,200 partners in 60 countries.

Universal Robots goes beyond simply supplying robots; it provides customized applications and works to build an ecosystem.

In particular, many Korean companies are also participating. Major domestic corporations are already using robots from Universal Robots.

CEO Lee Ju-yeon said, "We will work with the global ecosystem to help Korean manufacturers succeed through automation."

Meanwhile, Universal Robots' 20th anniversary event, 'Collaborate Powered by Universial Robots' (Collaborate Korea 2025), was more than just a technology introduction; it was an opportunity to show what strategies the Korean manufacturing industry should adopt in the face of global competition.

This event, which has visited India, Taiwan, and Thailand, chose Korea as its fourth stop on its Asian tour, attracting keen interest from those in the manufacturing and robotics industries.


In his opening remarks, Poi Toong, Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific, Teledyne Robotics, emphasized that “this event is not just about introducing technology, but about exploring the future of the industry together,” and hoped that it would inspire attendees and serve as an opportunity to find new solutions.

Key announcements included AI-based robots, next-generation software, and customized production systems.

Beyond simply improving productivity, it was emphasized that automation can contribute to solving the labor shortage and high turnover rates that arise in an aging society.

In addition, in a reality where the demand for consumer-tailored products is rapidly increasing, 'high-mix & middThe message was conveyed that advanced robotic solutions suitable for the 'low-volume production' system were needed.

Another key topic of this conference was ‘physical AI’.

This is not simply digital AI, but rather a technology that allows robots to intelligently recognize and respond to their environment in actual production sites.

For example, it is possible to simultaneously increase production speed and efficiency through pick-and-place operations in logistics warehouses or variable response in complex manufacturing processes.

A Universal Robots representative explained, “The combination of AI and robots is essential for creating a safe and efficient collaborative environment that goes beyond simply enabling the coexistence of machines and humans.”

The event also emphasized the importance of data utilization and network collaboration. The key to future competitiveness lies in transforming vast amounts of industrial data into information and using it to make quick and accurate decisions. This has been identified as a factor that goes beyond simply being an internal corporate issue and has implications for the global supply chain and industrial ecosystem as a whole.

Attendees gained technical inspiration from this event, while also reaffirming the need for cross-industry exchange and collaboration.

A Universal Robots representative emphasized that “the future of industry is not something we create alone, but together,” and that collaboration between machines and humans, and between companies, is the new era’s competitive edge.