S. Korea targets top spot in physical AI with data hub, homegrown tech push

The government plans to build a centralized data management system to consolidate all data usable for physical AI, as part of its push to become the world's leading power in the field.

It will also work to secure three core common technologies — a physical AI foundation model, a world model and a computing platform — to strengthen the country's independent technological capabilities.

The government views the next three years as a critical window for physical AI and has set a goal of localizing the full physical AI stack and laying the groundwork to export it globally.

The Ministry of Science and ICT on Tuesday unveiled the "Strategy for Securing Core Competitiveness in Physical AI," which centers on these initiatives.

The strategy had been approved in a closed session of the Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting on May 29.

The government's primary focus is data. It plans to aggregate general-purpose data — including robot behavioral data generated through government projects — along with sector-specific data into a single repository, and establish a quality management framework to ensure comprehensive oversight of high-quality data. Companies will be able to freely access, train on and test the general-purpose behavioral data they need. The government also plans to build a cross-ministry system for collecting and utilizing both general-purpose and specialized physical AI data.

Alongside the data initiative, the government will pursue independent physical AI technologies to build out a full physical AI stack.

Specifically, it plans to secure three core common technologies: a physical AI foundation model capable of autonomous planning and performing long-horizon tasks and precise manipulation with general-purpose versatility; a world model that predicts and simulates real-world changes to support AI learning and decision-making; and a computing platform that allows AI models to run on-device without latency.

As a first step, a consortium comprising LG Electronics, Maum.ai, KT Corp, KAIST and Seoul National University began work this year on securing foundational technologies, with the world model as its centerpiece.

To accelerate the real-world deployment of physical AI, the government will launch projects designed to deliver tangible results the public can see. It plans to apply developed technologies across sectors including safety, defense, care and agriculture to bring meaningful change to everyday life.

The government will also establish a legal framework to provide comprehensive support for technology development, demonstration, commercialization and industry cultivation. Working with related ministries, it will offer tailored investment support ranging from promising startups to key companies, and build an all-encompassing talent development system.

"To properly nurture the physical AI industry, it is crucial that we secure our own technological capabilities rather than becoming dependent on the technologies of leading global powers such as the United States and China," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said. "We will not only build a full physical AI stack based on homegrown technology, but also spread physical AI into our daily lives through application and demonstration suited to domestic conditions."

Bae added that he would "actively support South Korea in securing physical AI competitiveness and becoming a true No. 1 power that exports to the world, with private-sector creativity and full government backing working in synergy."