Korea Robotics Society

Korea Robotics Society
Name	Korea Robotics Society
Native name	한국로봇학회
Established	1988
Type	Professional society
Headquarters	Seoul, South Korea
Region	South Korea
Fields	Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation

Korea Robotics Society is a South Korean professional association dedicated to the advancement of robotics, mechatronics, automation, and related fields. The society brings together academics, researchers, industry engineers, and policymakers from institutions such as Seoul National University, KAIST, POSTECH, Korean Institute of Science and Technology and companies including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, LG Electronics and Hanwha Group. It engages with international bodies like IEEE, IFR (International Federation of Robotics), IROS, and ICRA to promote cross-border research, standards, and education.

History

The society was founded in 1988 amid technological growth paralleling milestones like the rise of Samsung Group and the development of Gyeongbu Expressway, drawing founding members from Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei University, and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Early activities referenced advances at institutions such as Korea Institute of Science and Technology and collaborations with agencies such as the Ministry of Science and ICT (South Korea), while linking research trends exemplified by projects at Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute. Through the 1990s the society aligned with international conferences like IROS, ICRA, RSS (Robotics: Science and Systems), and collaborated with corporate R&D labs at Samsung SDS and LG Electronics; during the 2000s it expanded to encompass robotics applications in sectors connected to Hyundai Motor Company and POSCO. In the 2010s the society increased emphasis on humanoid and service robotics, paralleling projects at KAIST Hubo Lab, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Hanyang University, and startups spun out from KAIST Venture Investment Corporation and Seoul National University Hospital-linked ventures.

Organization and Membership

The society's governance model includes an executive board with representatives from universities such as KAIST, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University, Korea University, and industry partners like Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics; advisory roles attract experts from Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. Membership categories include student members from Seoul National University College of Engineering, academic members affiliated with KAIST Graduate School of Robotics, and corporate members from Hyundai Motor Company R&D centers and startups incubated at Pangyo Techno Valley. The society liaises with regional chapters in cities such as Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Incheon and maintains ties to professional bodies including Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies and international partners like IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.

Conferences and Publications

The society hosts annual conferences modeled on major events such as IROS and ICRA, with program committees drawing on academics from KAIST Hubo Lab, POSTECH Robotics Lab, Seoul National University Robotics Lab, and keynote speakers from industry leaders at Samsung Research, LG Electronics Research, and Hyundai Motor Company R&D. It publishes peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings featuring work comparable to papers presented at IEEE Transactions on Robotics, International Journal of Robotics Research, and Robotics and Autonomous Systems, and collaborates on special issues with publishers associated with Springer, Elsevier, and IEEE Xplore. The society’s workshops and symposia cover themes reflected in programs at Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and have included sessions co-organized with IFR (International Federation of Robotics) and regional events like Asian Robotics Symposium.

Research and Education Initiatives

The society supports research networks linking laboratories at KAIST, POSTECH, Sejong University, and Hanyang University and promotes educational programs analogous to curricula at Seoul National University College of Engineering and KAIST Graduate School of AI. It sponsors doctoral consortia, student competitions inspired by DARPA Robotics Challenge and RoboCup, and training courses in partnership with institutions such as Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea Institute for Advanced Study. Collaborations extend to hospitals like Seoul National University Hospital for medical robotics and to research platforms at Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials for industrial robotics; the society also contributes to national workforce initiatives coordinated with Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (South Korea) and vocational programs at Korea Polytechnics.

Industry Collaboration and Outreach

The society fosters partnerships with conglomerates including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, Hanwha Group, and with startups based in Pangyo Techno Valley and Daejeon’s research clusters. Outreach programs target municipal projects in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon for smart city and mobility applications, engage with standards bodies like Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, and coordinate joint research with national labs such as Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute and Korea Institute of Science and Technology. Public engagement initiatives have been staged at venues including COEX Convention & Exhibition Center and university festivals at Seoul National University to introduce robotics to students and the general public.

Awards and Recognition

The society grants annual awards recognizing academic excellence at institutions such as KAIST, POSTECH, and Seoul National University, industry innovation awards that have honored projects at Samsung Research and Hyundai Motor Company, and lifetime achievement awards with recipients from Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Korean Academy of Science and Technology. Award ceremonies have been held alongside major conferences and have highlighted collaborations with international honors from organizations like IEEE and IFR (International Federation of Robotics), elevating recipients to leadership roles in regional initiatives such as the Asian Robotics Association.

Category:Robotics organizations Category:Scientific organizations based in South Korea