Korea sets sights on becoming world leader in robotics by 2018

By eGovAsia Editors | Dec 21, 2010

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SEOUL - The Korean government is aiming to become a world leader in robotics by 2018, its government portal announced recently.

According to the report on Korea.net, the robotics industry development plan unveiled by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy on December 9 "aims to concentrate on the development of service robots for tasks like cleaning, household chores and language instruction."

The ministry aims to narrow the gap between Korea and other leading countries in the robotics industry and to raise Korea’s international market share to 20 percent by 2018, it added. 

Korea.net said the country currently has a ten percent share of the robotics market. Though the industry is estimated to be worth some $9.4 billion worldwide, it is expected to grow to be worth $100 billion by 2018," it said.

"The ministry aims to nurture the robotics industry to become as important to Korea as the automobile and semiconductor industries, by supporting overseas penetration, improving international competitiveness and securing growth potential," the report emphasized.

Part of the plan to realize the vision is for related sectors to carry out test projects for service robots, support for standardization research and development projects with other countries like the United States and Japan, and some 30 billion won worth of investment in related industries.

"It will also run a special zone to promote the robotics industry and plans to hold contests in robot design," Korea.net reported.