Insider Brief
- HD Hyundai Robotics invested about $9.5 million in Aidin Robotics, taking an equity stake in the South Korean sensing startup as the companies develop humanoid components and industrial automation systems.
- The companies will initially develop a five-finger robotic hand for shipbuilding and heavy industry by combining Aidin’s force, torque and tactile sensing technology with HD Hyundai Robotics’ platforms.
- Their collaboration will also cover robotic polishing and grinding systems, with field demonstrations planned before potential expansion from South Korean heavy industry into other manufacturing sectors and overseas markets including U.S. shipyards.
HD Hyundai Robotics has invested about $9.5 million in Aidin Robotics, taking an equity stake in the South Korean robotics sensing startup as the companies prepare to jointly develop humanoid robot components and industrial automation systems.
According to HD Hyundai Robotics, it plans to integrate Aidin’s sensing and control technology with its own robotics platforms and the companies will initially focus on developing a five-finger robotic hand for shipbuilding and other heavy industrial applications.
Aidin develops force and torque sensors as well as tactile sensors that allow robots to detect contact, pressure and the distribution of forces. Its technology is designed for applications including humanoid hands and feet, where sensing is needed to support precise movement and stable control.
Humanoid Hand Collaboration
The companies plan to combine those sensors with a human-like robotic hand capable of grasping different workpieces to be put to use doing complex tasks in shipyards and other heavy industrial environments. HD Hyundai Robotics also plans to use the jointly developed hand on humanoid robots it is developing to help the robots recognize their surroundings and the condition of objects before determining how to interact with them.
Manufacturing Automation
The partnership will extend into manufacturing automation. HD Hyundai Robotics and Aidin plan to develop robotic systems for surface-treatment work including polishing and grinding, tasks that are currently performed manually in some shipbuilding and heavy industrial operations.
The companies plan to conduct field demonstrations before moving toward commercialization and Initial deployments will focus on shipbuilding and heavy industry. HD Hyundai Robotics said they plan to later expand into other manufacturing sectors in South Korea as well explore overseas markets, including U.S. shipyards.
Featured image: HD Hyundai Robotics
