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Three Chinese Robotics Companies Seek Entry into Korea

Robotics2 min read

Three Chinese robot companies plan to join a forum in Seoul on April 29 to talk about physical AI and to look for partners in South Korea. The forum is linked to Gyeongsangbuk-do, a province in the southeast of South Korea with many factories.

What happened

Three Chinese robot firms, DO BOT, MATRIX Robotics and ENGINE AI, will take part in the '2026 Gyeongsangbuk-do 3rd Future Strategy Industry Innovation Investment Forum' at Lotte Hotel Seoul on the 29th. They will join a panel talk and give special presentations. Their shared topic is how robot companies can 'soft land' in South Korea in the age of physical AI. The main idea is to find local partners and a business base here. They also want to link work data from Gyeongbuk factories with the technology of Chinese robot makers.

Key facts

  • Forum date: the 29th, at Lotte Hotel Seoul.
  • Panel talk: 10:32 to 11:15 a.m., with three people from Chinese companies.
  • Three robot companies: DO BOT, MATRIX Robotics and ENGINE AI.
  • Panel topic: AI chips, unmanned systems, self-driving cars and new industry hubs in Gyeongbuk.
  • Panel moderator: Lee Kyung-jeon, a professor at Kyung Hee University.

What is physical AI?

Physical AI is AI that lets robots and other machines sense their surroundings and do physical work. To use it in a factory, the system must understand the work target, the equipment and the order of tasks. The forum will discuss joint research and development, and ways for robots to learn and be tested on real factory floors.

Why it matters

Robot makers need real factory data and local partners to grow. Gyeongbuk offers both, with factories, universities and research centers in one place. For Chinese robot firms, this could be a way into the Korean market. For Korean factories, it could bring new robot technology closer to daily work.

What to watch

  • Whether the companies name specific Korean partners after the forum.
  • Whether joint research projects on robot learning and testing start.
  • How Gyeongsangbuk-do and its cities, universities and factories take part in the talks.
  • Whether the talks move from research to real business deals.

Glossary

DO BOT
A Chinese robot company that is looking for business partners in South Korea.
MATRIX Robotics
A Chinese robot company that is looking for business partners in South Korea.
ENGINE AI
A Chinese robot company that is looking for business partners in South Korea.
Physical AI
AI that lets robots and machines sense their surroundings and do real-world physical tasks.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
A province in southeast South Korea with many manufacturing firms, universities and research centers.

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