Jensen Huang eyes Korean robotics investment, set to throw first pitch for Doosan Bears

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's remarks about the importance of South Korea's robotics industry and his openness to investment there have put domestic companies in the sector under a fresh spotlight.

Doosan has drawn particularly close attention, given its ongoing discussions with Nvidia on physical AI collaboration. Huang is expected to visit South Korea this week, meet Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won and throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Doosan Bears baseball game — moves analysts say signal deepening ties between the two companies.

At a dinner event called "Korea Partner Night" held at a local restaurant in Taiwan on Sunday, Huang told reporters that robotics was a key area for Nvidia's investment in South Korea. "I think robotics is very important for Korea," he said. "I hope Nvidia can contribute to the development of robotics in Korea."

Nvidia executives also said Saturday, following Huang's GTC Taipei keynote address, that the company plans to work with robot companies in the United States, Europe and South Korea, in addition to China's Unitree Robotics.

With Nvidia signaling strong expectations for South Korea's robotics sector, analysts say Doosan stands to benefit, as the conglomerate has been building up its robotics capabilities as a new growth engine.

Doosan established Doosan Robotics in 2015, identifying robots as a key business for the future. The company, which has primarily produced collaborative robots, is now developing intelligent robot solutions — integrating collaborative robot hardware and software with AI capabilities — as part of a broader portfolio expansion. It also plans to introduce humanoid robots down the line.

Doosan moved early to partner with Nvidia in a bid to raise its profile in the global robotics market. Late last year, the company announced a strategic collaboration with Nvidia to advance physical AI. In September of that year, Vice Chairman Park Ji-won visited Nvidia's headquarters with senior executives to discuss AI collaboration and other initiatives.

In April, Madison Huang — Jensen Huang's eldest daughter and Nvidia's senior director of product marketing for Omniverse and Robotics — visited Doosan Robotics' facilities. The visit focused on building a robot execution platform combining the two companies' technologies, specifically linking Doosan Robotics' in-development Agentic Robot Operating System with Nvidia's AI and robotics simulation tools. Kim Min-pyo, CEO of Doosan Robotics, also attended Sunday's Korea Partner Night dinner.

To further cement its relationship with Nvidia, Doosan is arranging for Huang to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Doosan Bears' home game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Sunday. The plan takes into account Huang's well-known passion for baseball. If the first pitch goes ahead, a meeting between Huang and Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won — who also owns the Bears — is considered likely.