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A-Robot

Category: Robotics / Embodied AI

A Physical AI-driven robotics company specializing in high-performance humanoid robots for large-scale industrial deployment, specifically optimized for shipbuilding and manufacturing environments. A-Robot was founded in 2018. The company is led by Eom Yoon-seol. Based in Ansan, South Korea. Team size: 10-50. Total funding raised: $10.0M. Latest round: Series A ($7.4M, Jul 2025). Key investors include Hana Ventures, SGC Partners, Gauss Capital Management, Bon Angels Venture Partners, Korea Development Bank (KDB).

Founded
2018
Headquarters
Ansan, South Korea
Team size
10-50
Total funding
$10.0M

Value proposition

Reduces industrial labor costs and safety risks by deploying humanoids equipped with proprietary high-power linear actuators, capable of performing complex physical tasks in environments designed for humans.

Products and solutions

M.AX: Next-generation Physical AI humanoid for heavy industrial applications, Alice 4: 4th-generation bipedal humanoid with high-power linear joints, Alice M1: Wheel-based mobile humanoid for automotive factory logistics, Alice M: Industrial semi-humanoid with a 7-DOF arm and vertical-horizontal waist movement, Amy & Eddy: Social and companion robots for service and hospitality

Unique value

Focuses on 'Physical AI'—the seamless integration of AI with robust hardware—using proprietary 3rd-generation linear actuators that mimic human muscle movement for superior strength and cost-efficiency compared to traditional rotary joints.

Target customer

Heavy industry enterprises (shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing), construction firms, and smart factory operators.

Industries served

Shipbuilding, Automotive Manufacturing, Construction, Logistics, Service & Hospitality

Technology advantage

Leverages the NVIDIA Isaac platform for robot learning and digital twin simulation; uniquely positioned as a leader in shipyard-specific robotics through strategic collaborations with global shipbuilding giants.

How they differentiate

Proprietary 3rd-generation linear actuators that mimic human muscle movement for superior strength and cost-efficiency in heavy industry; specialized 'Physical AI' optimization for shipyard and construction environments rather than general-purpose or warehouse logistics.

Main competitors

Tesla (Optimus), Rainbow Robotics, Figure AI, Boston Dynamics (Atlas)

Key partnerships

NVIDIA: Participant in the NVIDIA Inception program and user of NVIDIA Isaac platforms, HD Hyundai (Mipo/Samho): Strategic partnership for shipyard-deployed humanoid development, HL Mando: Factory deployment partner for the Alice M1 mobile humanoid, M.AX Alliance: Key member of the 10-company K-Humanoid alliance led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Samsung Heavy Industries & POSCO E&C: On-site verification and 실증 (PoC) partners

Notable customers

HD Hyundai (Shipyard PoC), HL Mando (Automotive Logistics), Samsung Heavy Industries (On-site verification), POSCO E&C (Construction PoC)

Major milestones

Founding as a Hanyang University ERICA spin-off in 2018, Selected for the NVIDIA Inception program for AI-driven startups in 2024, Successfully deployed Alice M1 mobile humanoids at HL Mando automotive factory, Unveiled the next-generation 'Physical AI' humanoid 'M.AX' at CES 2026, Featured in NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's CES 2026 keynote intro as a premier shipyard humanoid case study

Growth metrics

Successfully transitioned from a university R&D spin-off to a growth-stage industrial humanoid provider with a 285% increase in cumulative funding within 14 months (2024-2025).

Market positioning

Industrial Humanoid AI specialist targeting high-risk, heavy-labor substitution in the global shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors.

Geographic focus

South Korea (Domestic heavy industry giants), North America, and Asia-Pacific.

Patents and IP

Holds proprietary IP for 3rd-generation Linear Actuators, Quasi-Direct Drive (QDD) actuators, and advanced humanoid hand technologies optimized for high-torque industrial tasks.

About Eom Yoon-seol

Eom Yoon-seol is a distinguished Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) researcher and kinetic artist. She serves as the CEO of A-Robot, a spin-off from Hanyang University ERICA. With a background in kinetic art and materials science, she focuses on the 'Physical AI' dimension of robotics, aiming to bridge the gap between technical engineering and human-centric design. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Convergent Robotics and previously held positions as a researcher and artistic director in various robotic and media art projects.

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