Robot World 2026, South Korea's largest robotics exhibition, is expanding its lineup this year around physical artificial intelligence and manufacturing AI transformation, or AX. Organizers have added a dedicated humanoid pavilion and strengthened exchange programs with overseas investors and buyers. The aim is to showcase robotics technology for industrial sites while helping domestic companies attract investment and open overseas sales channels.
The Korea AI and Robot Industry Association announced the operating plan at a press briefing held at Partners House in Seoul on the 14th. This year's event runs for four days, from Nov. 4 to 7, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Participation has grown to 390 companies from 17 countries and 1,150 booths, up from 365 companies from 13 countries last year.
The exhibition will focus in particular on physical AI, which recognizes and assesses its surroundings to carry out actual tasks, and on manufacturing AX technology, which translates factory data into movements by robots and equipment. In line with that focus, organizers created a special humanoid pavilion, the most visible embodiment of physical AI. The plan is to display not only completed humanoids but also core components such as actuators, reducers, sensors, batteries and controllers, presenting the broader technology ecosystem.
Programs to attract foreign investment are also being expanded. Global Scale-up Day, a revamped version of an earlier investment consultation event centered on startups and domestic venture capital firms, has widened eligibility to include small and midsize companies in need of growth capital. This year, global investors including overseas accelerators and venture capital firms are expected to attend, along with foreign companies seeking partnerships or acquisitions.
The exhibition will feature humanoids, quadruped robots and mobile manipulators, as well as digital twin-based robot simulation and sim-to-real technology, which applies skills learned in virtual environments to physical robots. An accompanying conference will be organized into three tracks and 36 sessions on topics including manufacturing AX, physical AI and industry-specific uses of service robots.
Five participating companies — Neuromeka, Samhyun, Power Auto System, Power Auto Robotics and Idea Ocean — also attended the briefing to present key products and robotics and automation technologies they will show at the exhibition. "Robots are advancing rapidly beyond automation equipment on factory floors toward systems that recognize and assess their surroundings on their own to perform tasks," an association official said. "With broader participation by global companies and the addition of national and special pavilions this year, we hope the event will highlight the technological capabilities of Korean robotics companies and expand practical opportunities for cooperation between domestic and foreign firms."