Gyeonggi Economic Zone Attracts Aerob, Leading Humanoid Robot Company, to Ansan Science Valley

The Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority (hereinafter referred to as Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority) has attracted Aerob, a specialized humanoid robot company, to Ansan Science Valley.

Kim Neung-shik, director of the Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority, signed an investment agreement for the Ansan Science Valley District on the 30th with Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun, Hanyang University President Lee Ki-jeong, and Aerob CEO Eom Yun-seol at Hanyang University ERICA Prime Conference Hall.

The agreement was established to facilitate Aerob's investment in Ansan Science Valley and strengthen competitiveness in advanced robotics and physical artificial intelligence (AI) industries, while building an advanced robotics industry ecosystem linked by industry, academia, research, and government.

Under the agreement, the Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority plans to provide various licensing consultation and administrative support required for business promotion, and actively listen to and improve corporate difficulties that arise during the investment process.

Aerob will invest 40 billion won to construct its headquarters, robot research facilities, and factory on 4,487 square meters within the Ansan Science Valley District, while promoting early construction and making efforts to revitalize the local economy and operate eco-friendly facilities.

Aerob is a robot specialist company that has grown based on Hanyang University ERICA, focusing on technology development and commercialization in the field of physical artificial intelligence, including humanoid robots.

In particular, this investment is significant as a "successful scale-up case of a venture company through industry-academia cooperation," as Aerob has grown from a university campus into a stage where it constructs its headquarters and research and production facilities through research and development and commercialization.

Ansan Science Valley is a representative research and development hub in the western Gyeonggi region, centered on Hanyang University ERICA and concentrating major research institutions such as the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), and Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTL), as well as businesses and support agencies.

Additionally, as it is adjacent to Ansan Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes, it is expected to build an optimal industrial ecosystem where Aerob's robotics and physical artificial intelligence technology can be applied to manufacturing sites and support artificial intelligence transformation (AX) for existing manufacturing companies.

The Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority plans to foster Ansan Science Valley as a "global research and development hub centered on advanced robotics and physical artificial intelligence" and support the advancement of manufacturing industries in western Gyeonggi regions including Ansan, Hwaseong, and Pyeongtaek as well as artificial intelligence transformation. Through this, the authority aims to contribute to building the "western Gyeonggi National New Growth Industry Belt" that connects future growth industries such as advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

Kim Neung-shik, director of the Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority, stated: "Aerob's investment is an important opportunity for Ansan Science Valley to leap forward as a key hub in the advanced robotics sector, a national advanced strategic industry." He added: "The Gyeonggi Economic Zone Authority will actively pursue licensing and administrative support so that the company's research and development, commercialization, and facility construction proceed smoothly, and we will do our utmost to attract additional investments from domestic and international advanced robotics companies."

Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun said: "Ansan is at an important turning point, transitioning from a manufacturing-focused industrial structure to a highly innovative ecosystem based on artificial intelligence and robotics following the designation of the Ansan Science Valley Economic Zone." He added: "I will actively support Aerob's investment to enhance Ansan's competitiveness in the advanced robotics industry and serve as an opportunity for companies and the region to grow together."

Hanyang University President Lee Ki-jeong stated: "Aerob's investment demonstrates that Hanyang University ERICA is growing into a hub of innovation in advanced industries through artificial intelligence and humanoid technology development and industry-academia cooperation." He noted: "The university and companies will together lead technology commercialization and talent nurturing in the field of physical artificial intelligence."

Aerob CEO Eom Yun-seol said: "It is very meaningful that Aerob will establish research and production facilities in Hanyang University ERICA, where we have grown, and in Ansan, which has abundant robotics-related infrastructure." He added: "Based in Ansan, we will advance the research, development, and production of humanoid robots and expand into the global market."

Aerob plans to conduct consultations with related agencies for building permits and factory construction in October and November, and is preparing to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its headquarters, robot research facilities, and factory in Ansan Science Valley in November.