Universal Robots, the Danish pioneer of collaborative robots, is set to further solidify its footprint in South Korea. Kim Povlsen, the company's CEO, announced during a press conference in Seoul that Universal Robots will be opening its first service and repair center in the country during the first half of next year.

Since entering the South Korean market in 2016, Universal Robots has witnessed significant growth. The company has sold over 90,000 collaborative robots globally, capturing the largest market share. The decision to establish a service center in South Korea, following successful ventures in Denmark, the United States, China, Mexico, and India, underscores the region's strategic importance.

Povlsen highlighted South Korea's pivotal role in Universal Robots' global strategy, emphasizing the country's potential to leverage collaborative robots to address challenges such as an aging population and labor shortages. "South Korea is a vital market for Universal Robots," he said. "We are committed to supporting South Korean industries in adopting collaborative robotics to enhance productivity and competitiveness."

South Korea is a robotics powerhouse, ranking fourth globally in terms of industrial robot installations and collaborative robot sales. The country's manufacturing sector, particularly in automotive, shipbuilding, semiconductors, machinery, and secondary batteries, has been a key focus for Universal Robots. Povlsen recently visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Yeongam to inspect the company's use of Universal Robots' collaborative robots for welding automation.

A significant highlight of the press conference was the introduction of the UR AI Accelerator, a joint development with NVIDIA. This innovative hardware and software tool enables users to easily integrate AI capabilities into collaborative robots. "Universal Robots is more than just a hardware provider," Povlsen stated. "We are a platform company offering comprehensive solutions, from hardware and software to education and training. We are committed to driving the future of collaborative robotics and supporting South Korean businesses on their automation journey."

With the opening of a new service center and the introduction of cutting-edge AI technology, Universal Robots is signaling its long-term commitment to the South Korean market. As the country continues to embrace automation, Universal Robots is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of manufacturing.