ROBOTIS
ROBOTIS is a South Korean robotics company based in Seoul, founded in 1999 by Kim Byoung-soo, who is still its chief executive. It is best known for its Dynamixel smart actuators, which are used by robot makers and research labs worldwide, and in October 2018 it became the first Korean robot company to list on the Kosdaq market through the technology-exception regime, on the strength of its actuator technology. ROBOTIS also makes educational robot kits and delivery robots through its Robotis AI unit, and has moved into humanoids with the AI Worker, a Physical AI humanoid for real-world tasks, and the AI Sapiens bipedal humanoid, which it unveiled in April 2026 and which performed choreography. It has introduced the Dynamixel-Q actuator that uses torque-based control. Kim Byoung-soo says ROBOTIS wants to move from supplying actuators to offering full humanoid solutions, expanding production through a plant in Uzbekistan, and competing with Chinese makers on performance and price.
💡Notable Achievement: ROBOTIS became the first Korean robot company listed on Kosdaq in October 2018 and unveiled the AI Sapiens humanoid in April 2026.
What Does ROBOTIS Do?
ROBOTIS is a Seoul robotics company founded in 1999 known for Dynamixel actuators, now developing the AI Worker and AI Sapiens humanoids.
“An actuator maker becoming a humanoid maker.”
Dynamixel
Smart servo actuators used worldwide.
AI Worker
A Physical AI humanoid for real-world tasks.
Manufacturing Expansion
A humanoid factory project in Uzbekistan.
What Can ROBOTIS Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Actuators and humanoid platforms.
Smart Actuators
Dynamixel actuators for robot makers.
Humanoid Choreography
AI Sapiens performed choreography.
ROBOTIS Robots
Showing 2 Humanoid Robots of 2 total models
AI Worker
By: ROBOTIS
Launched: 2024
The ROBOTIS AI Worker is a semi-humanoid robot engineered for industrial automation, featuring a mobile swerve-drive base, dual 7-DOF arms, and high-DOF dexterous hands (16-20 DOF per hand) for bimanual manipulation. Powered by physical AI, it excels in learning complex tasks like wiring harness assembly, welding, and inspection through intuitive human demonstrations via teleoperation, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning. Equipped with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin for onboard AI inference, ROS 2 open-source stack, and sensors including RGB-D cameras, LiDAR, and force-torque sensors, it perceives dynamic environments in real-time. Designed for seamless factory integration, it boosts productivity, ensures millimeter precision, and addresses labor shortages with reliable 24/7 operation, modular design, and human-like dexterity in high-mix manufacturing workflows.
AI Sapiens K0
By: ROBOTIS
Launched: 2026
The AI Sapiens K0 by ROBOTIS is an open-source humanoid platform optimized for physical AI research, standing 1.3 meters tall with 23 degrees of freedom for full-body dynamic motion. Powered by advanced DYNAMIXEL-Q quasi-direct drive actuators like QM-060 and QM-080, it excels in bipedal locomotion, precise manipulation, and real-world interaction, bridging simulation-to-reality gaps via imitation and reinforcement learning. Each arm supports up to 3 kg payloads, enabling tasks like object grasping and handling in contact-rich environments. Its lightweight 34 kg frame enhances safety for human-robot collaboration, while fully open hardware and software stacks—including simulation tools and training artifacts—empower researchers, educators, and developers to customize, train policies, and deploy adaptive behaviors for locomotion, manipulation, and human-robot interaction in research settings.
ROBOTIS Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
ROBOTIS founded
Kim Byoung-soo founds ROBOTIS in South Korea to develop robot actuators and robotics products.
Source: mbiz.heraldcorp.com
First Korean robot company on Kosdaq
ROBOTIS becomes the first Korean robot company to list on Kosdaq through the technology-exception listing regime.
Source: mbiz.heraldcorp.com
Humanoid robot factory project in Tashkent
ROBOTIS launches a humanoid robot factory project in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to expand production capacity.
Source: kun.uz
CEO sets humanoid solutions as next goal
CEO Kim Byoung-soo says ROBOTIS will move beyond actuators to offer full humanoid solutions, using its Dynamixel-Q actuator and AI Sapiens humanoid.
Source: en.sedaily.com
ROBOTIS Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
Maxon Motor
Industry PeerFocus: High-Precision BLDC Motors & Drives
Harmonic Drive
Industry PeerFocus: Precision Strain-Wave Reducers
What Makes ROBOTIS Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Long history and public listing.
- ✓Own actuator technology.
Core Strategic Focus
Full humanoid solutions.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Competes with Chinese makers on price.
- •Humanoid prices not published.
ROBOTIS vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Core Business Focus
- ROBOTIS
- Smart Actuators & Research Bipeds
- SoftBank Robotics
- Social Service Robots
- Unitree Robotics
- Mass-Market Quadruped/Humanoids
- Maxon Motor
- Specialized Precision Motor Components
Software Architecture
- ROBOTIS
- Native Open-Source ROS/ROS2
- SoftBank Robotics
- NAOqi Proprietary OS
- Unitree Robotics
- Unitree SDK / Reinforcement Learning
- Maxon Motor
- Firmware-level Controller APIs
Actuator Modularity
- ROBOTIS
- All-In-One Integrated Servo Blocks
- SoftBank Robotics
- Custom Embedded Assemblies
- Unitree Robotics
- Proprietary Planetary Joints
- Maxon Motor
- Individual Motors & Gearheads
Flagship Humanoid Scale
- ROBOTIS
- Compact Research (51 cm)
- SoftBank Robotics
- Compact Service (58 cm)
- Unitree Robotics
- Mass-Production (132 cm)
- Maxon Motor
- Component Supplier (N/A)
| Strategic Dimension | ROBOTIS(Current) | SoftBank Robotics | Unitree Robotics | Maxon Motor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Business Focus | Smart Actuators & Research Bipeds | Social Service Robots | Mass-Market Quadruped/Humanoids | Specialized Precision Motor Components |
| Software Architecture | Native Open-Source ROS/ROS2 | NAOqi Proprietary OS | Unitree SDK / Reinforcement Learning | Firmware-level Controller APIs |
| Actuator Modularity | All-In-One Integrated Servo Blocks | Custom Embedded Assemblies | Proprietary Planetary Joints | Individual Motors & Gearheads |
| Flagship Humanoid Scale | Compact Research (51 cm) | Compact Service (58 cm) | Mass-Production (132 cm) | Component Supplier (N/A) |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Robotis AI
Autonomous mobile robot division.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Autonomous mobile robot division.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
ROBOTIS Headquarters
HQSeoul, Gangseo-gu, South Korea
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about ROBOTIS
ROBOTIS puts AI Worker forward as a teleoperation-first humanoid for industrial tasks
News about AI Worker
ROBOTIS introduces AI Sapiens K0 as an open humanoid platform for Physical AI
News about AI Sapiens K0
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about ROBOTIS
What is ROBOTIS?
ROBOTIS is a South Korean robotics company, founded in 1999, known for Dynamixel smart actuators and now developing humanoid robots such as the AI Worker and AI Sapiens.
Who founded ROBOTIS?
ROBOTIS was founded in 1999 by Kim Byoung-soo, who is still its chief executive and has led its shift from actuators toward complete humanoid solutions.
What is the ROBOTIS AI Worker?
The AI Worker is ROBOTIS's Physical AI humanoid for real-world tasks, built on the company's own actuator technology and aimed at industrial and service work.
What is AI Sapiens?
AI Sapiens is a bipedal humanoid robot that ROBOTIS unveiled in April 2026, which demonstrated choreography from a Korean idol group's song.
Is ROBOTIS a public company?
Yes. ROBOTIS listed on Kosdaq in October 2018, becoming the first Korean robot company to list under the technology-exception regime, on the strength of its actuator technology.
What are Dynamixel actuators?
Dynamixel actuators are ROBOTIS's smart servo modules that combine a motor, controller and sensors, widely used by robot makers and researchers. The newer Dynamixel-Q uses torque-based control.
Where does ROBOTIS make its robots?
ROBOTIS is based in Seoul and in June 2026 launched a humanoid robot factory project in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to expand production capacity.
How much does the AI Worker cost?
ROBOTIS has not published a price for the AI Worker. Customers arrange purchases with the company, which is building a humanoid business alongside its actuator sales.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official ROBOTIS datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.