“Humanoids Will Spark Korea’s Next Industrial Revolution,” Says Hanyang University’s Han Jae-kwon

At the 2025 Advanced Industry Standards Leadership Forum held at Hanyang University, Professor Han Jae-kwon, head of the university’s Department of Robotics Engineering and CTO of AeiROBOT, delivered a powerful message: “Developing humanoid robots is truly advantageous for Korea, where many downstream industries are clustered.”

Han emphasized that as Korea’s population ages, the need for robots that can work in complex, hazardous, or confined environments is rapidly growing. While many industrial robots perform single tasks, Han noted that humanoid robots can seamlessly transition between jobs — making them ideal replacements or teammates for human workers on the factory floor.

Professor Han Jae-kwan of Hanyang University’s Department of Robotics delivers a presentation on “Domestic and Global Trends in Humanoid Robotics and Technologies” during the 2025 Advanced Industry Standards Leadership Forum held at the Hanyang Institute of Technology (HIT) in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on November 12. (Photo courtesy of Hanyang University)

Citing data from Fortune Business Insights and Macquarie, Han highlighted that the global humanoid robot market could surge from $2.43 billion in 2023 to $66 billion by 2032, with household use also rising sharply by 2035.

Han compared the impact of humanoids to that of smartphones: “When smartphones emerged, they sparked new industries and jobs. When humanoid robots arrive, they’ll inspire new services and ways of living — that’s an industrial revolution.”

He argued that Korea’s dense manufacturing ecosystem—with strong clusters of component suppliers—gives it a unique advantage. “Just as cars require companies making tires and headlights, robots need countless downstream parts. Korea already has that ecosystem in place,” he said.

Han urged the nation to deploy humanoids into manufacturing sites quickly and secure the valuable industrial data they generate: “Data is our path forward. We must act with speed and make that data our own.”

Finally, Han pointed to the rise of the K-Humanoid Alliance, launched in April 2025, as a sign of Korea’s momentum. The consortium now includes over 200 organizations—from giants like Samsung, LG, Doosan Robotics, and HD Hyundai Robotics to research institutions such as KAIST, Seoul National University, and Yonsei University, along with leading startups like Rainbow Robotics, AeiROBOT, and Angel Robotics.

“What began with 40 companies has become a powerful community capable of moving with speed, precision, and strength,” Han concluded. “This is Korea’s moment to lead.”