Gyeonggi Province Opens Nation's First 'Physical AI Lab' to Lead AI Transformation in Manufacturing

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gab-dong] Gyeonggi Province opened the doors to the nation's first manufacturing field verification-based 'Physical AI Lab' on the 19th at Center M Knowledge Industry Center in Seongnam.

Physical AI refers to artificial intelligence installed in physical hardware such as humanoid robots or autonomous vehicles, and is drawing attention as a core technology driving structural changes in manufacturing sites.

The Physical AI Lab is a verification hub established to enable small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises to test and verify AI-based automation technologies in actual manufacturing environments. To address challenges faced by companies such as insufficient experimental environments and high initial adoption costs, the province has prepared a dedicated Physical AI laboratory in the form of a testbed that replicates actual manufacturing processes.

Resident companies can freely conduct process testing, data collection, and AI-based automation implementation using advanced equipment including industrial robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and 3D mobile shuttles. The province plans to actively support the stepwise AI transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises through this initiative.

Six companies are expected to move into the laboratory, with each company able to reside for up to three years. The province has set performance goals over the next three years of 100 billion won in sales, creation of 150 jobs, and 50 technical development achievements including patent applications and registrations through resident companies. Additionally, the province plans to open AI verification infrastructure not only to resident companies but also to membership companies, enabling results to spread across the Physical AI field.

The Gyeonggi Physical AI Lab, which opened in Seongnam on this day, was the first to be established among six Gyeonggi AI cluster hubs (Pangyo, Seongnam, Bucheon, Siheung, Hanam, and Uijeongbu). The province plans to strengthen networks between hubs and expand connections with domestic and international institutions to enhance competitiveness of AI companies in the province. The remaining hubs are under preparation with a target of integrated opening by the end of February 2026.

Ko Young-in, Vice Minister of Economy of Gyeonggi Province, said, "It is highly meaningful that we have established the nation's first manufacturing field verification hub at the 'golden time' of Physical AI transformation, where AI is expanding beyond software to robots and equipment. Centered on the Gyeonggi Physical AI Lab, we will actively support AI transformation of manufacturing in the province through customized field verification and stepwise expansion."

At the 'Physical AI Activation Corporate Discussion Forum' held following the opening ceremony, strategies for AI and robot-based manufacturing innovation and ways to enhance testbed capabilities were discussed. Participating companies raised suggestions regarding lack of process data, the need for field-specific model development environments, and expansion of verification equipment.

Starting with the Physical AI Lab, the province plans to develop the entire province into a Physical AI verification and dissemination hub, and expand its application beyond the manufacturing sector to disaster safety and daily care services.

Meanwhile, approximately 50 attendees including Ko Young-in, Vice Minister of Economy of Gyeonggi Province, Jo Woo-hyun, Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee of the Seongnam City Council, and representatives of the Korea Physical AI Association, Diem Research, and resident companies of the lab, participated in the opening ceremony.