Hong Sungju, Daegu Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs: "We Will Actively Support AI and Robotics Transition in Manufacturing Companies"...Visits Geo Robot and Samick THK

On January 2, Hong Sungju, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Daegu City, began the first site visit of the Year of the Fire Horse by visiting Geo Robot Co., Ltd. and Samick THK Co., Ltd. in succession. During his visits, he toured the facilities, listened to the challenges faced by local robotics companies, and discussed possible avenues for cooperation.

This visit was organized to strengthen the foundation for collaboration with local robotics companies and accelerate the transition to AI factories in manufacturing sites. This comes at a time when the boundaries between industrial robots and logistics/service robots are rapidly disappearing due to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and a variety of robot solutions-such as mobile manipulation, collaborative robots, and mobile robots-are entering the commercialization stage.

Hong Sungju, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Daegu City (center), is visiting 'Geo Robot,' a local robot company in Daegu, explaining Daegu City's support policies for the robot industry.

Geo Robot Co., Ltd., established in May 2022, is a robotics startup specializing in modular mobile robots and high-load autonomous robots for logistics and distribution. Based on research achievements from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), the company has accumulated expertise in robot platforms, control technology, and component technology. Geo Robot is also participating as a project operator in Daegu City's 'AI Robot Global Innovation Zone' initiative.

Samick THK Co., Ltd. is a leading local component manufacturer that supplies precision linear motion systems and motion products. Leveraging its precision machinery technology, the company has driven automation and high-precision advancements in domestic manufacturing sites. Since the completion of its new factory at Technopolis in 2020, Samick THK has been investing approximately 3 billion KRW annually in facility expansion and automation. The company has also signed a business agreement with Daegu City to establish an innovation ecosystem for national high-tech strategic industries (robotics).

Daegu City is pursuing a range of policies to strategically foster the AI robot industry-including humanoids-by promoting technological innovation and commercialization, building cooperative models, and linking demonstration projects to expand the related ecosystem. To this end, the city is accelerating the growth of the robotics industry, nurturing local talent, and establishing a sustainable industrial foundation, thereby laying the groundwork for its leap as the 'AI Robot Capital.'

Hong Sungju, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Daegu City, stated, "We will do our utmost to accelerate the transition of local manufacturing companies to AI and robotics, and to create quality jobs and new growth engines."