"Robots Running Through Steel Mills"... POSCO Holdings Hosts 'Industrial AI Robot Competition'

84 Teams from 32 Universities Nationwide Join; 7 Teams Reach Finals
Articulated Collaborative Robots and Quadruped Autonomous Walking Categories
CTO Kim Kisoo: "We Will Contribute to Nurturing Young Talent"

POSCO Holdings hosted a competition for university students aimed at solving industrial challenges using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology. The event was designed to explore the potential application of robotic systems in core businesses such as steelmaking and secondary battery materials, and to demonstrate the potential of AI-based manufacturing technologies to enhance worker safety.

On September 9, POSCO Group announced that it had held the 'Industrial AI Robot Competition' at the headquarters' International Hall in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. This was the first time the group had organized such a competition. Since May, applications were accepted from university and graduate students across the country, with 84 teams from 32 universities entering the contest. Seven teams advanced to the finals, overcoming a 12-to-1 competition ratio.

On the 9th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the 'Industrial AI Robot Competition' held at the headquarters' International Hall in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. POSCO

The finals featured competitions in the articulated collaborative robot and quadruped walking robot categories. In the collaborative robot challenge, participants were tasked with picking up and replacing defective blocks in a mission modeled after the heat treatment process for secondary battery materials, with speed and accuracy as the main evaluation criteria. In the quadruped walking robot category, teams were tested on their ability to complete a track simulating steel plant inspection environments, including stairs and narrow passages.

The grand prize in the quadruped walking robot category went to the 'Agile Team' from Sungkyunkwan University, while the 'Robotics ARM Team' from the University of Seoul won in the articulated collaborative robot category. The winning teams received the POSCO Group Chairman's Award and a total prize pool of 40 million won. They were also offered opportunities to participate in POSCO Holdings research projects and given preferential consideration in POSCO DX recruitment.