As global big tech companies are competing head-on to develop "AI robot brains" in a bid to secure future industrial dominance, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has proposed an AI robot strategic project to secure domestic technological sovereignty.

On the 21st, ETRI held a technology and policy discussion meeting on the AI robot strategy project at the Yangjae L Tower in Seoul.

This forum was designed to address the rapid shift in the robotics industry's value center from precision hardware (the body) to AI-based software (the brain).

The discussion was attended by ETRI President Bang Seung-chan, the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, the Korea AI & Robot Industry Association, and experts from major domestic robot companies and academia to discuss strategies for securing global competitiveness in AI robots.

Shin Yong-hee, head of the ETRI ICT Strategy Research Center, who gave the opening remarks, predicted that the global humanoid robot market will grow approximately 90-fold by 2035, reaching a maximum size of $173 billion (approximately 245 trillion won).

Additionally, it is predicted that the value of 'intelligence' in robots will gradually increase, reaching over 30% by 2035.

He said, “Securing the lead in robot brain technology is a key factor in determining market leadership,” and pointed out that Korea is at a disadvantage in all areas of robot intelligence, including AI models, system SW, and data.I wrote it down.

He then emphasized, “A national strategy to overcome our dependence on foreign countries for core AI and software technologies is urgent.”

The discussion proposed three strategies for Korea to secure leadership in the global competition for AI robots.

This is centered around the following key axes: △Securing flexible robot intelligence (meta robot foundation model), △Building a symbiotic and cooperative ecosystem (K-robot intelligence ecosystem), and △Building and utilizing sovereign robot data (robot intelligence data flywheel).

In the discussion that followed the presentation, experts emphasized the importance of AI robotic intelligence and the need for national investment.

Additionally, discussions were held on developing competitive AI robot technology, strengthening the Korean robot intelligence ecosystem, and establishing a public-private cooperation model.

ETRI President Bang Seung-chan said, "The value of robots no longer comes from their strong bodies (hardware), but from their flexible brains (software). Now, with the US and China concentrating their national capabilities, is the golden time to unite our world-class manufacturing capabilities and scattered AI technologies. We must build a unique technology ecosystem."