South Korea Proposes New Funding for AI Sensors, Robot Actuators and Humanoid Batteries
By Greg Bock · · 3 min read
Insider Brief
- South Korea has proposed 2027 funding for three core physical AI technologies, allocating about $22.4 million for robot components, $10 million for humanoid batteries and $6.7 million for AI-powered sensors.
- The government plans multiyear development programs for robot actuators and on-sensor AI semiconductors, targeting fivefold improvements in actuator force and an 80% domestic sourcing rate for core robot components by 2030.
- Humanoid battery research will focus on enabling eight hours of continuous operation, with standards development scheduled for 2027, demonstrations in 2029 and commercialization targeted for 2030.
South Korea has proposed new funding for robot components, AI-powered sensors and humanoid batteries in its 2027 budget, with plans to develop domestic technologies for physical AI through 2030.
According to the government, the proposal includes 30 billion won (about $22.4 million) for core robot components, 13.3 billion won (about $10 million) for humanoid batteries and 9 billion won (about $6.7 million) for on-sensor AI semiconductors, which process information within or near sensors rather than sending it to external servers.
Development Plans for Three Core Technologies
The measures were presented at an emergency economic ministers’ meeting in Seoul on Nov. 11, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hyung-il. The government outlined separate development, testing and commercialization schedules for each technology.
Next-generation sensors
The government plans a 49.8 billion won (about $37.3 million) technology development program from 2027 through 2030, beginning with 9 billion won (about $6.7 million) proposed for next year.
The research will focus on on-sensor AI semiconductor technology for robotics, defense and mobility applications. The schedule calls for initial technology development in 2027, module prototypes in 2028, an integrated semiconductor module in 2029 and system demonstrations in 2030.
The proposed budget also includes 1.8 billion won (about $1.3 million) for training specialized workers and 1 billion won (about $750,000) for manufacturing infrastructure. Small and medium-sized chip design companies will receive support for prototype production.
Robot actuators
South Korea plans to invest 100 billion won (about $74.8 million) from 2027 through 2029 in developing components that move robotic arms, legs and fingers. The proposed 2027 budget includes 30 billion won (about $22.4 million) for this work.
The government is focused on the development of lighter, more durable actuators capable of producing roughly five times as much force at the same weight as current components. It also wants them to withstand more than 1 million repeated operations.
About 3 billion won (about $2.2 million) is proposed for demonstrations next year, including testing components installed in humanoid robots at manufacturing sites to assess durability, accuracy and safety. Additional support for prototyping, testing and evaluation is slated for after 2028, while financial assistance through the National Growth Fund is also being considered.
The government indicated it wants domestic actuator production beginning in 2029, followed by larger-scale manufacturing and exports in 2030, as well as reach an 80% domestic sourcing rate for core robot components by that same year.
Humanoid batteries
The proposed 13.3 billion won (about $10 million) allocation includes 5.7 billion won (about $4.3 million) for eight projects to improve commercial battery performance and 7.6 billion won (about $5.7 million) for 10 projects focused on solid-state batteries and standards.
The government wants to develop batteries capable of powering humanoid robots for eight hours of continuous operation while delivering short bursts of high power. Battery standards are scheduled for development in 2027, followed by materials and cells in 2028 and demonstrations in 2029. Commercialization is targeted for 2030.
The three programs were designated as new physical AI initiatives in July under South Korea’s Super-Innovation Economy Leading Project. According to the government’s policy briefing, task forces for each initiative will meet before the end of 2026 to identify industry needs and coordinate financial, tax and regulatory support.
