South Korea Plans $1.66 Billion Push to Build Full-Stack Humanoid Robots by 2030
South Korea is preparing a major government-backed investment in humanoid robotics, with plans to spend 2.3 trillion won through 2030 to strengthen domestic capabilities across AI, robotics hardware and software.
South Korea plans to invest 2.3 trillion won (approximately US$1.66 billion) through 2030 to accelerate the development of homegrown humanoid robots. The initiative comes as competition in physical AI intensifies, with governments and technology companies around the world racing to develop machines capable of understanding and interacting with the physical environment. The government is proposing an initial 600 billion won budget for 2027.
Under the plan, South Korea wants to establish mass-production capabilities for humanoid robots serving 10 major industries and increase the domestic share of key robot components from about 45% to 80%. The government also plans to purchase 250 locally developed humanoid robots in 2027, with the total expected to reach 1,080 by 2030 for universities and government-funded research institutions. Including four-legged and other non-humanoid robots, government purchases could reach around 5,000 units over the same period.
The programme will focus on areas where South Korea wants to strengthen its competitiveness, including actuators, robotic hands and sensors, as well as high-performance AI chips and batteries. The country is targeting completion of its own full-stack humanoid technology by 2031, including a domestically developed robot operating system.
