South Korea Paves the Way for Robot-Ready Smart Buildings (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, May 29 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has launched a major initiative to develop core technologies for robot-friendly buildings, aiming to reshape the urban built environment for seamless human-robot coexistence.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Wednesday that it will invest ₩180 billion (approximately $135 million) over the next three years to support research into the design, construction, and operational standards for smart buildings that accommodate robots and emerging technologies like urban air mobility (UAM) and autonomous vehicles.
The project, running through 2028, will be led by a consortium under Kyung Hee University’s Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation. It forms a central pillar of the government’s “Smart+ Building Roadmap,” unveiled in December 2023, which envisions buildings as adaptable hubs capable of integrating future technologies.
Smart+ buildings are designed with structural flexibility, spatial configurations, and technical infrastructure that allow new technologies — from delivery robots and service droids to flying taxis — to operate efficiently and safely within human-centric environments.
Initial efforts will focus on developing safety and design guidelines to support coexistence between people and robots. These standards will be tested in real-world settings before being codified into national certifications and regulatory frameworks.
Pilot sites include Kyemyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong, and the Pohang Bus Terminal — locations selected for their active use of service robots and high foot traffic.
Officials say these living laboratories will provide crucial data for refining construction standards, ensuring that South Korea’s cities remain on the leading edge of smart infrastructure innovation.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
