Pohang, South Korea – The Korea Robot Fusion Research Institute has announced the completion of a testbed for a new robotic system designed to disassemble a variety of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The project, which began in 2022 and is funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, is aimed at developing automated processes and intelligent robotic technologies for the efficient dismantling of EV batteries.

The testbed, located at the Secondary Battery Comprehensive Management Center, is currently undergoing system integration tests for various processes, including bolt and nut removal, cover separation, and battery pack and component transportation. Researchers are also developing intelligent task scheduling (ITS) software to identify the shape and location of different battery packs and determine the feasibility of robotic disassembly based on the condition of components such as corrosion and wear. Additionally, they are conducting research and testing on collision avoidance path planning for robotic arms.

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market has led to a surge in demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, resulting in a significant increase in the size of the EV battery recycling market. Currently, most EV batteries are manually disassembled due to the limited quantity of end-of-life batteries. However, as the number of EV batteries increases in the future, automated disassembly using robots is expected to play a crucial role in the recycling industry.

Jung Gu-bong, vice president of the Korea Robot Fusion Research Institute, said, "Next year, we plan to expand the system to accommodate a wider variety of battery types and conduct field tests with potential customers to further refine the technology. Through this technology, we aim to secure core technologies for the future EV battery recycling industry and contribute to the establishment of a sustainable industrial ecosystem."