As robotics technology has evolved, various industries have increasingly implemented robots to automate numerous types of manual labor. In 2023, more than 540,000 new industrial robots were installed globally, raising the total number of active industrial robots to over 4 million, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
While industrial robots are proficient at performing repetitive tasks, they struggle with executing precise tasks, handling delicate materials, and adapting to changing environments. Consequently, many industrial processes remain manual.
The South Korean startup RLWRLD seeks to address these challenges with a foundational AI model designed specifically for robotics. This model combines large language models with traditional robotics software, facilitating robots to execute quick, agile movements and perform some level of “logical reasoning.”
Jung-Hee Ryu, founder and CEO of RLWRLD, stated in an exclusive interview with TechCrunch that using RLWRLD’s foundation model could fully automate processes requiring significant manual effort by replicating and learning human expertise, thus enhancing workplace efficiency.
RLWRLD has emerged from stealth with 21 billion KRW (approximately $14.8 million) in seed funding, led by venture capital firm Hashed, and additional contributions from Mirae Asset Venture Investment and Global Brain. Among the strategic investors attracted by RLWRLD are prominent names such as Ana Group, PKSHA, Mitsui Chemical, Shimadzu, and KDDI from Japan; LG Electronics and SK Telecom from Korea; and Amber Manufacturing from India.
The startup intends to utilize the seed funding to conduct proof-of-concept projects with its strategic investors, secure computing infrastructure like GPUs, acquire robots and devices for extensive data collection, and recruit top research talent. Additionally, the funding will support the development of advanced hand movements involving five fingers, a capability not yet showcased by competitors like Tesla, Figure AI, and 1X, according to Ryu.
RLWRLD is collaborating with its strategic investors to explore possibilities for automating various human-centric workflows utilizing its AI model. A humanoid-based autonomous action demonstration is expected later this year. Moreover, the company is developing a platform to support a variety of robots, including industrial, collaborative, autonomous mobile robots, and humanoids.
Founded in 2024, RLWRLD is the third startup by Ryu, whose earlier endeavor, Olaworks, was acquired by Intel in 2012 and became Intel’s Korea R&D center in the computer vision division. In 2015, he established a startup accelerator, Future Play, focused on deep tech companies.
Ryu remarked that his inspiration to establish another company stemmed from observing the rapid growth of AI startups in the U.S, Europe, and China, contrasted with their relative scarcity in Korea and Japan. He consulted over 30 AI professors from Korea and Japan to discuss their challenges, including lack of infrastructure like data and GPUs, alongside the opportunities present.
He determined it strategically beneficial to prioritize robotics foundation models over the technologically saturated field of large language models, leveraging Korea and Japan’s global strengths in manufacturing.
Subsequently, Ryu enlisted the collaboration of six professors from top South Korean institutions, including KAIST, SNU, and POSTECH, alongside their research teams, to launch RLWRLD.
RLWRLD is not alone in tackling this challenge. Other startups such as Skild AI and Physical Intelligence, as well as larger enterprises like Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Nvidia, are developing similar foundational models for robotics. However, Ryu believes RLWRLD has an advantageous start, having already assembled the necessary AI and robotics experts to advance foundational robotics models and humanoid robots with a high degree of freedom (DoF).
Moreover, Ryu noted that companies typically depend on low-DoF robots such as two-fingered grippers. RLWRLD, however, has secured a high-DoF reference robot, expecting better performance outcomes as a result.
Thanks to its strategic investors, RLWRLD can quickly gather valuable data from nearby manufacturing sites. In 2024, a report indicated that Japan and South Korea together accounted for 9.2% of global manufacturing production.
RLWRLD aims to generate revenue this year through proof-of-concept projects and collaboration demonstrations with strategic partners. The long-term goal of the startup is to serve factories, logistics centers, retail stores, and even domestic robots for household chores. Presently, the company is prioritizing the industrial sector, which demonstrates strong demand for automation and willingness to invest in such technologies.
The startup currently employs 13 people.
