Seoul: South Korea is set to invest 2.3 trillion won (US$1.66 billion) by 2030 to advance the domestic development of full-stack humanoid robots. This move comes in response to the growing global competition sparked by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Planning and Budget announced this initiative ahead of the government's forthcoming budget for the next year. As the global AI market transitions towards physical AI and humanoid robotics, South Korea aims to position itself as a leader in this emerging field.

Starting with a proposed budget of 600 billion won for the next year, the government plans to build mass-production systems for humanoid robots that cater to 10 key industries. One of the objectives is to increase the localization rate of essential components from the current 45 percent to 80 percent by 2030.

The government has committed to purchasing 250 domestically developed humanoid robots by 2027, with a total of 1,080 units expected by 2030. These robots will be distributed to universities and state-funded research institutes to foster further development and innovation.

In addition to humanoid robots, the government plans to acquire approximately 5,000 robots, including non-humanoid models such as four-legged robots, by 2030. The initiative includes support for developing key components like actuators, robotic hands, and sensors, along with high-performance AI chips and batteries.

South Korea's goal is to achieve comprehensive full-stack humanoid technology by 2031, which includes developing a homegrown robot operating system, as stated by the ministry.