From serving food to assisting the elderly, these Korean startups are making robots practical, friendly, and everywhere.
When most people hear “robotics startup,” they often think of sci-fi machines or high-end industrial arms. But in South Korea, robotics is going through a shift—robots are entering restaurants, warehouses, hospitals, and even homes.
Korea’s long-standing strengths in hardware manufacturing, automation, and AI integration are giving rise to a new wave of robotics startups focused on real-world, human-centered applications. Here are five companies making a tangible impact in 2025.
1. Bear Robotics – Serving Tables in the U.S. and Beyond
- What they do: Bear Robotics builds autonomous service robots—think robots that can carry food and drinks at restaurants.
- Global reach: Based in Silicon Valley but founded by Korean engineers, their “Servi” robots are used in thousands of restaurants in the U.S., Japan, and Korea.
- Why it matters: They reduce the burden on restaurant staff, improve customer experience, and work even in tight or dynamic spaces.
Bear Robotics is a great example of a Korean-founded startup thriving globally by solving labor problems with tech.
2. Twinny – Autonomous Robots for Warehouses and Factories
- What they do: Twinny develops indoor self-driving robots that carry goods in logistics centers and smart factories.
- Key feature: Their robots use camera-based SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), which allows for quick setup and lower costs compared to LiDAR-based systems.
- Traction: Adopted by Korean conglomerates and expanding into Southeast Asia.
Twinny makes robotics deployment faster and more flexible for businesses trying to automate without overhauling infrastructure.
3. HeRoS – Robotic Helpers for Elderly Care
- Focus: Human-friendly robots that assist caregivers and support elderly patients in hospitals and nursing homes.
- Functionality: Includes voice interaction, patient monitoring, fall detection, and medication reminders.
- Why it matters: With aging populations across Asia and beyond, eldercare automation is a rising global challenge.
HeRoS offers a glimpse into how robots can complement—not replace—human care, especially in healthcare.
4. Hancom Robotics – Bringing Robots into the Home
- What they do: Hancom Robotics (a subsidiary of the Hancom Group) builds home-friendly AI companion robots, including child-friendly smart bots and home automation assistants.
- Features: Facial recognition, emotion tracking, and educational functions.
- Market: Targeted at Korean households but gaining attention for export potential in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Their vision blends smart home tech with human interaction, moving us closer to truly intelligent home environments.
5. Doosan Robotics – Collaborative Robots for Industry and Service
- What they do: Doosan Robotics is Korea’s leader in collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work alongside humans in manufacturing, food prep, and healthcare.
- Global presence: Strong sales in Europe and North America, and partnerships with automation providers in logistics and food services.
- Why it matters: Their robots are versatile, easy to program, and safe for close human interaction.
As more businesses adopt light-touch automation, Doosan’s cobots are showing what scalable robotics looks like.
🤖 Why Korean Robotics Deserves Your Attention
- Deep manufacturing expertise from decades of electronics and automotive dominance
- Strong domestic demand due to labor shortages and aging population
- Startups are focusing on real-world applications—not just tech for tech’s sake
- Many companies are global-ready, with English-language platforms, U.S. presence, and international VC backing