Industry ministry renames humanoid unit to ‘AI robots’

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources has expanded the scope of its manufacturing-focused artificial intelligence initiative by renaming the humanoid division of the M.AX Alliance to “AI robots” this year, signaling a broader push beyond human-shaped robots.

The change reflects a strategic shift away from a narrow focus on humanoids toward a wider range of robotic applications, including outdoor mobility robots and industrial robots, as the government seeks to foster an AI robot ecosystem that can be deployed across manufacturing sites.

According to the ministry on Sunday, the humanoid division of the M.AX Alliance — one of the alliance’s key project arms driving AI-led innovation in manufacturing — has been rebranded as the AI robot division and is now operating under the new name. Launched in September last year under the ministry’s leadership, the M.AX Alliance is a public-private cooperation platform aimed at accelerating an economy-wide AI transformation. It seeks to maximize productivity and build a sustainable industrial ecosystem by linking companies with rich manufacturing data to universities and research institutes developing AI models.

Humanoid robots, which resemble the human form, are widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding areas of robotics due to the complexity of achieving precise movement and balance. The ministry initially adopted the “humanoid” label based on the belief that mastering humanoid technology would enable advances across the broader robotics field.

This year, however, the ministry opted to rename the division to “AI robots” to reflect its intention to expand into all robot categories. In particular, policymakers are looking ahead to growth in markets such as outdoor mobility robots — intelligent robots capable of autonomous or remote-controlled operation for applications including delivery — as well as a variety of industrial robots. The shift is expected to support South Korea’s efforts to secure a competitive edge in the emerging field of “physical AI,” which integrates artificial intelligence with real-world robotic systems.