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  • Hyun-bum Cho Returns to Leadership as Hanon Systems Seeks Recovery
    Hyun-bum Cho Returns to Leadership as Hanon Systems Seeks Recovery Hyun-bum Cho, chairman of Korea & Company Group, returned to management on July 30 after being released on parole. He now faces significant challenges in addressing the company's operational issues.Among the pressing tasks are the normalization of Hanon Systems, which was acquired last year, and creating synergies among the group's subsidiaries. Additionally, external challenges such as U.S. tariffs, global economic slowdown, and geopolitical risks loom large.Cho was released from the Hwaseong Vocational Training Prison in Gyeonggi Province, a month ahead of his scheduled release date of September 5.Previously, Cho was arrested on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust amounting to over 20 billion won. He was detained in March 2023 and released on bail in November of the same year. However, he was sentenced to three years in prison in May 2023 and was later sentenced to two years on appeal, with the Supreme Court confirming the sentence in May 2024.With Cho's return, the group's long-delayed mid- to long-term strategy and investment decisions are expected to gain momentum. The primary challenge remains the operational normalization of Hanon Systems, which requires restoring profitability and improving its financial structure while also creating synergies with other subsidiaries, including Hankook Tire.Hanon Systems, now a subsidiary of Hankook Tire, partially improved its financial structure through a capital increase at the end of last year. However, as of the first quarter of this year, its net debt stood at approximately 2.94 trillion won, with net interest expenses accounting for about 36% of its operating profit of 97.2 billion won. A significant portion of its earnings is being consumed by financial costs.The domestic and international business environment remains challenging. The global automotive market is slowing, and rising raw material prices are adding pressure. Additionally, the European Union's imposition of anti-dumping duties on tires for passenger vehicles from China has emerged as a new variable. A 4.3% tariff will be applied to products produced by Hankook Tire in China, which, while lower than the 24.4% imposed on domestic competitors, will inevitably reduce price competitiveness for Chinese-produced goods.The group's future investment direction is also awaiting Cho's decisions. Hankook Tire is set to expand its North American market presence with a focus on high-inch and electric vehicle tires, coinciding with the completion of its factory expansion in Tennessee in the second half of this year. Furthermore, as Korea & Company begins internal feasibility studies for acquiring Lotte Rental, attention is on whether Cho's return will lead to active participation in the acquisition process.Acquiring Lotte Rental would allow the group to expand its business portfolio beyond tires and automotive thermal management systems to include mobility services. However, this would require additional significant financial investment following the acquisition of Hanon Systems, necessitating careful consideration of financial burdens and investment returns.A representative from Korea & Company stated, "We expect Cho to return at an appropriate time after considering long-term strategies. Given the deteriorating domestic and international business environment, there are many issues requiring strategic judgment from a mid- to long-term perspective, so we look forward to a swift return of leadership." 2026-07-30 17:04:10
  • Samsungs Device Experience Division Reports First-Ever Loss Amid Rising Costs
    Samsung's Device Experience Division Reports First-Ever Loss Amid Rising Costs Samsung Electronics' Device Experience (DX) division, responsible for home appliances and mobile products, has reported its first-ever operating loss. The mobile division, once considered a stronghold, has also recorded a loss for the first time since its inception, prompting deeper consideration of strategies for recovery.On July 30, Samsung Electronics announced that the DX division incurred an operating loss of 800 billion won in the second quarter. Despite generating sales of 48 trillion won, which accounts for about 28% of the company's total revenue of 171.5 trillion won, the division did not achieve any profit.Most of the losses stemmed from the mobile business. Despite strong sales of flagship models like the Galaxy S26 series and the A series, the mobile division recorded an operating loss of approximately 700 billion won. This marks the first time the mobile division has reported a quarterly operating loss since its establishment.The Visual Display and Digital Appliances (VD/DA) division also reported a loss of around 10 billion won. Although sales increased slightly by 2% year-on-year due to demand from major sporting events and large-scale promotions, rising costs led to a decline in operating profit.Cost pressures have significantly impacted the DX division. In the TV business, the ongoing rise in global display prices has increased cost burdens. According to Samsung's business report, the total purchase amount for displays is expected to surge by 35.8% from 58.624 trillion won in 2023 to 79.606 trillion won in 2025.The increase in mobile component prices has been even more severe. In the first quarter of this year, the price of mobile application processors purchased by the DX division rose by 12% compared to the previous year's average, while the price of mobile memory skyrocketed by 107%.During the earnings conference call, Samsung stated, "Despite the launch of new flagship models in the second half, it will be challenging to rebound due to global demand slowdown and rising component prices caused by memory supply issues."Amid soaring component prices, competition from Chinese companies has intensified. Giants like TCL and Hisense are leveraging price competitiveness to encroach on the premium TV market, while smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Vivo are rapidly increasing their market share in emerging countries.Samsung plans to undertake a rigorous restructuring, including the withdrawal from unprofitable businesses and organizational renewal. The emergency management system established in the first half of the year will continue into the second half, with personnel from low-profit divisions being reassigned. The company will also consolidate inefficient overseas operations, including withdrawing from the Chinese home appliance market and closing the TV factory in Galanta, Slovakia.In the mobile sector, Samsung aims to expand its product diversification strategy, focusing on high-value premium lineups. The introduction of the 'Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra' will help solidify sales of the basic model while ensuring high profitability and enhancing brand prestige.The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly reduce costs across the DX division. The company plans to implement generative AI throughout the entire process, from development to manufacturing and marketing, to minimize unnecessary fixed costs and maximize operational efficiency.Lee Tae-moon, President and Head of the DX Division at Samsung Electronics, stated, "The introduction of external generative AI is a starting point for changing our work methods and execution speed. We will create an organizational environment that leverages AI to enhance the competitiveness of the DX division."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 17:04:00
  • NH Nonghyup and Kakao Bank Expand Financial Support for SMEs and Small Businesses
    NH Nonghyup and Kakao Bank Expand Financial Support for SMEs and Small Businesses Financial institutions are stepping up support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small businesses through public-private partnerships.NH Nonghyup Financial Group announced on July 30 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency to enhance support for industrial safety in SMEs and mid-sized companies.This agreement aims to align with the government's comprehensive workplace safety measures. The two organizations plan to establish a public-private support system that fosters a virtuous cycle from investment in safety management to tangible economic benefits and the internalization of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management.The agency will identify exemplary companies engaged in safety management activities. NH Nonghyup will offer preferential loan products to these recommended companies. Additionally, both organizations plan to collaborate to address safety blind spots in agricultural fields and food businesses that are relatively vulnerable to disasters.Lee Chan-woo, Chairman of NH Nonghyup Financial Group, stated, "This agreement will not only support the industrial safety system in our society but also serve as a catalyst for enhancing the ESG capabilities of SMEs and mid-sized companies. We will contribute to creating a culture where industrial safety becomes a core competitive advantage for businesses."Kakao Bank is also expanding its co-prosperity finance initiatives. The company has decided to increase financial support for small businesses in six districts, including Mapo, Seocho, Seongbuk, Songpa, Yangcheon, and Eunpyeong, in collaboration with the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation.Kakao Bank will provide a total of 17 billion won in loans, including a special contribution of 5 billion won and additional contributions from each district. Small businesses located in these districts can borrow up to 100 million won. Kakao Bank aims to expand its collaboration to all 25 districts in Seoul in the future. Since 2024, Kakao Bank has supported various co-prosperity finance products, including 'Safe Deposit Accounts' and 'Quick Dream Loans,' with a total guarantee loan supply amounting to 700 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 17:04:00
  • Michelle Steel Begins Tenure as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea
    Michelle Steel Begins Tenure as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea 미셸 스틸 신임 주한미국대사가 30일 한국에 부임했다. 도널드 트럼프 2기 행정부 첫 주한대사로, 성 김 전 대사에 이어 역대 두 번째 한국계 대사다. 대미 관세 협상과 안보 협력 등 한·미관계 앞에 놓인 현안을 진전시키는 데 어떤 역할을 할지 주목된다. 스틸 대사는 이날 인천국제공항에서 발표한 성명에서 “한국 국민 여러분께 정중히 인사드린다. 저는 서울에서 태어났지만 미국을 대표해 이 자리에 섰다. 이 자리에 다시 서니 만감이 교차한다”라고 한국어로 말했다. 이어 스틸 대사는 영어로 “미국과 한국은 140년간 이상 함께했다”며 “한·미동맹은 세계에서 가장 강력한 동맹 중 하나”라고 전했다. 그는 도널드 트럼프 대통령과 이재명 대통령이 지난 11월 경주에서 열린 아시아태평양경제협력체(APEC) 정상회의에서 동맹의 새로운 장을 열었다고 평가했다. 스틸 대사는 “우리는 이 동맹을 향한 트럼프 대통령의 비전을 이어 나갈 것이다. 그 어느 때보다 더 강력하고 안전하며 번영하는 미래를 만들어 가겠다”고 강조했다. 이로써 필립 골드버그 전 대사 이임 후 약 1년 반 만에 주한미대사 공백 사태가 해소됐다. 그동안 주한미대사관은 조셉 윤, 케빈 김, 제임스 헬러 대사대리 체제로 운영돼 왔다. 스틸 대사는 한·미 간 이견이 드러난 쿠팡 문제 등 현안 조율에 나설 것으로 보인다. 3500억 달러 규모의 대미투자 계획을 한국 정부와 논의하겠다는 의지를 밝혔다. 실무협의가 진행 중인 한국의 핵추진잠수함(핵잠) 도입과 원자력협력협정 개정, 전시작전통제권 전환, 동맹 현대화 등 민감한 한·미 안보 현안에 있어서도 역할이 주목된다. 이날 주미한국대사관에 따르면 강경화 주미대사는 스틸 대사의 한국 부임을 앞두고 미국 워싱턴D.C.에서 회동했다. 주미대사관은 소셜미디어 공식 계정을 통해 “한·미 동맹을 강화하고 조선, 원자력 잠수함, 첨단 기술 등 공동의 우선순위 분야에서 협력을 확대해 나가겠다는 의지를 재확인했다”고 밝혔다 스틸 대사는 1955년 서울에서 태어나 1975년 미국으로 간 이민자 가족 출신으로, 캘리포니아주 조세형평국 선출 위원, 오렌지카운티 슈퍼바이저(행정책임자) 등을 역임한 뒤 2021년부터 4년간 공화당 소속 연방 하원의원을 지냈다. 스틸 대사는 내주 초께 외교부 의전장에 신임장 사본을 제출한 뒤 조현 외교부 장관을 예방할 것으로 보인다. 이어 이재명 대통령에게 신임장 원본을 제출하는 제정식을 가진 뒤 본격적인 외교 활동을 펼치게 된다. 2026-07-30 17:04:00
  • Bae Jae-kyu Advocates for Natural Phase-Out of Single-Stock Leverage Products
    Bae Jae-kyu Advocates for Natural Phase-Out of Single-Stock Leverage Products Bae Jae-kyu, CEO of Korea Investment Trust Management, reiterated his critical stance on single-stock leverage products amid ongoing controversy over the financial authorities' bypassing of certain asset management firms. Despite being the head of a firm that manages related products, he urged investors to exercise caution and stated, "They should be phased out naturally rather than through delisting."On July 30, Bae expressed on his Facebook page that the issue of single-stock leverage should not solely rely on investor requests. He emphasized, "It should be phased out naturally, not through delisting," adding that it is feasible with the support of asset management firms and some regulatory assistance. He further stressed, "Not engaging in these products is the best course of action."Bae explained that simply predicting market direction is insufficient for leverage and inverse products. He noted that increased volatility and repeated fluctuations can rapidly erode the value of these products due to daily rebalancing and compounding effects.He also advised investors, particularly those anxious due to recent market declines, to adhere to long-term investment principles rather than focusing on short-term price movements. "Instead of trying to predict short-term prices, one should assess whether the direction of the industry they invested in remains correct," he said. "If the investment direction is right and time is on your side, sometimes doing nothing can be the best response."Bae pointed out that while semiconductors are essential in the AI era, memory semiconductors remain cyclical. He recommended investing in the entire semiconductor ecosystem, including design, memory, foundry, and equipment, rather than focusing on a single memory company.Bae's renewed message has gained attention as Korea Investment Trust Management, ranked among the top three or four asset management firms, was notably excluded from discussions by financial authorities regarding measures for single-stock leverage products. On July 22, the Financial Services Commission convened ETF heads from Samsung Asset Management, Mirae Asset Global Investments, and KB Asset Management to discuss these measures.On July 28, a meeting chaired by Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Ok-won included representatives from the exchange, the Korea Financial Investment Association, asset management firms, and securities companies, but Korea Investment Trust Management was again left out. The meeting included Shinhan Asset Management, which ranks fifth in ETF market share, alongside Samsung, Mirae Asset, and KB Asset Management.This repeated bypassing by financial authorities is believed to be influenced by Bae's public criticism of single-stock leverage products. Earlier, on July 20, Bae publicly called for a halt to investments in these products, expressing regret as the head of a firm managing individual stock leverage ETFs. He stated, "No one could have predicted such high volatility. I hope you will stop investing even now."Bae provided actual examples to support his claims. According to data he shared, the stock price of SK Hynix fell from 2,243,000 won on May 27 to 1,842,000 won on July 16, a decline of 17.9%. In contrast, the single-stock leverage product for SK Hynix, which has the largest trading volume and assets under management, recorded a loss of 47.5% during the same period. The theoretical loss, based on the simple application of the original decline, was 35.8%, but the actual loss exceeded this by 11.7 percentage points.The single-stock inverse product for SK Hynix also theoretically should have yielded a profit of 35.8% based on the original decline, but it instead recorded a loss of 31.1%, indicating a discrepancy of 66.9 percentage points between theoretical returns and actual performance.Korea Investment Trust Management currently manages the 'ACE Samsung Electronics Single-Stock Leverage' and 'ACE SK Hynix Single-Stock Leverage' products.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 17:00:00
  • Hanwha Group Prepares for Split with Promotions of Owner Brothers
    Hanwha Group Prepares for Split with Promotions of Owner Brothers Hanwha Group announced on July 30 that it has promoted the three owner brothers—Kim Dong-kwan, Kim Dong-won, and Kim Dong-sun—drawing attention to the context behind these changes. This restructuring comes ahead of the company's planned corporate split and the establishment of a new holding company, aimed at clarifying each brother's business portfolio and further solidifying the third-generation management system.According to Hanwha Group, the holding company, Hanwha, will launch a new entity called Hanwha Machinery and Service Holdings on August 1 through a corporate split. The existing Hanwha will take on the role of an investment company, while the new entity will focus on the industrial machinery sector.The promotions are seen as a formalization of the brothers' responsibilities in line with the restructured business framework following the split. Each brother has been granted final decision-making authority over their respective business sectors, clarifying their roles.A key highlight is the promotion of Kim Dong-kwan to Senior Vice Chairman. After being elevated to Vice Chairman in August 2022, he has now further solidified his status within the group.Industry analysts interpret this move as effectively granting Kim Dong-kwan the role of chief executive, suggesting that Hanwha Group's third-generation succession process is nearing completion.Since early this year, Kim Dong-kwan has been overseeing defense, marine, aerospace, and energy sectors; Kim Dong-won has been responsible for finance and insurance; and Kim Dong-sun has managed retail, leisure, food and beverage, and semiconductor equipment sectors.As the second son, Kim Dong-won is expected to take on greater responsibilities and authority regarding long-term growth strategies and new business development in the finance sector. Kim Dong-sun, who oversees retail and leisure, as well as food and beverage and robotics, is anticipated to lead these sectors independently following the establishment of the new holding company.The group also announced new CEO appointments for key affiliates. Notably, Hanwha Aerospace will see a leadership change, with Son Jae-il stepping down and Lee Boo-hwan, the head of the aerospace division, being appointed as the new CEO.Industry insiders suggest this change is part of a broader effort to enhance organizational accountability and address safety concerns following a recent explosion at the Daejeon facility, which led to Son being investigated for violations of safety laws.Yang Gi-won, the head of Hanwha Impact, will take over as CEO of Hanwha Systems. Yang is recognized as an expert in new business models, having previously served as the head of the global division at Hanwha and the business division at Hanwha Impact, making him well-suited for expanding global operations in the aerospace and defense sectors.Hanwha Impact has appointed Kang Jeong-hoon, the head of Hanwha Total Energies' Daesan plant, as its new CEO. This move is interpreted as a strategy to focus on cost innovation and profitability improvement amid a prolonged downturn in the petrochemical industry by placing an experienced petrochemical expert in a leadership role.Im Dong-jun, head of the U.S. branch, has been appointed as the new CEO of Hanwha Asset Management. This decision appears to support the strengthening of competitiveness and global expansion in the finance sector led by Kim Dong-won.Kim Ki-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Vision, will also serve as the CEO of Hanwha Semitec. This appointment aligns with the strategy to develop semiconductor equipment as a future growth driver, empowering experienced executives in the business.Hanwha Group stated, "With these key executive promotions, we plan to significantly enhance our business capabilities in various fields and drive future growth through business expansion and securing new growth engines."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 17:00:00
  • Samsung SDS Reports 2nd Quarter Revenue of 3.71 Trillion Won Driven by Cloud and Logistics Growth
    Samsung SDS Reports 2nd Quarter Revenue of 3.71 Trillion Won Driven by Cloud and Logistics Growth Samsung SDS reported growth in both revenue and operating profit for the second quarter of this year, driven by advancements in its cloud and logistics businesses.On July 30, Samsung SDS announced preliminary results for the second quarter, showing revenue of 3.71 trillion won and operating profit of 231.8 billion won. This represents a 5.9% increase in revenue and a 0.7% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year.The IT services segment recorded revenue of 1.76 trillion won, a 5% increase year-on-year. The cloud business, which is the largest segment within IT services, saw revenue grow by 17% to 779.4 billion won compared to the same period last year.Notably, external business revenue surged by 75% year-on-year, significantly contributing to the overall performance.Within the cloud sector, the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) business grew by 24% year-on-year, driven by increased demand for the Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) and the expansion of GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) offerings in public and external sectors.The Managed Service Provider (MSP) business also saw a 17% increase year-on-year, fueled by growth in AI transformation (AX) projects in the financial sector and enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiatives in the shipbuilding industry.The logistics segment recorded revenue of 1.96 trillion won, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. This growth was attributed to increased air forwarding and contract logistics centered on inland and warehousing, as well as the expansion of external business through Cellosquare.Since declaring its ambition to become a global leader in AX, Samsung SDS has been enhancing its business competitiveness through a full-stack approach encompassing AI infrastructure, AX and AI services, and AI platforms/solutions.In the AI infrastructure sector, Samsung SDS was selected as a key player in the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'GPU Acquisition, Construction, and Operation Support Project' in June, contributing to the establishment of national AI infrastructure.Additionally, following the introduction of NVIDIA B300-based GPUaaS in March, the company launched a domestic NPUaaS product based on the Korean Purios AI Renegade in July.In the AX and AI services sector, Samsung SDS was selected as the preferred bidder for a project to implement over 175 AI agents in Woori Bank's core operations in April, and it secured additional contracts for a generative AI system for the Export-Import Bank of Korea, expanding its AX business in the financial sector.In the AI platform/solution area, the company is promoting AI diffusion in public and corporate sectors based on its generative AI solution, BritiWorks. It has also established partnerships with three leading global frontier AI companies: OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Cloud.Furthermore, Samsung SDS is increasing strategic investments in digital assets and physical AI to secure future growth drivers and uncover new business opportunities. In May, it acquired a 4% stake in Dunamu, the country's leading digital asset exchange, in collaboration with Samsung Securities and Samsung Card. A company representative stated, “We plan to actively explore new business opportunities in the digital asset infrastructure market based on this.”In June, Samsung SDS made a strategic investment in Walden Robotics, a U.S. physical AI full-stack company, through Samsung Venture Investment.The company aims to advance its 'robot orchestration' business, starting with Walden Robotics, and plans to expand partnerships with global robotics firms to integrate and control various robots in conjunction with manufacturing execution systems.To respond flexibly to the surging demand for AI infrastructure, Samsung SDS will continue its investments, expanding its existing 110 megawatt (MW) AI infrastructure to 230 MW by 2029. By 2031, it aims to expand the scale of its AI infrastructure business to over 800 MW, including design, construction, and operation (DBO) projects, thereby continuously enhancing its competitiveness in AI infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:56:10
  • Homeplus Union Urges Meritz to Quickly Execute $1.5 Million DIP Financing
    Homeplus Union Urges Meritz to Quickly Execute $1.5 Million DIP Financing Homeplus General Labor Union has requested that Meritz Financial Group promptly execute 200 billion won (approximately $150 million) in emergency operating funds (DIP). The union expressed concerns that delays in funding could disrupt product supply and the timeline for resuming operations.In a statement on July 30, the union said, "Homeplus is currently finalizing preparations for a swift business resumption," and urged for the rapid disbursement of funds to achieve management normalization and successful business reopening. Previously, Meritz Financial Group, Homeplus's largest creditor, confirmed on July 16 that it would provide 200 billion won in emergency operating funds, guaranteed in full by Kim Byung-joo, chairman of MBK Partners.The union believes that the timing of the funding will be crucial for Homeplus's recovery, referring to it as a 'golden time.' They emphasized that if the 200 billion won is quickly provided, it will facilitate payments for goods and ensure a smooth supply of fresh products, thereby restoring the cash-generating capacity of the stores. They added that it would also help stabilize the livelihoods of store owners, partner companies, and local small businesses.Currently, Homeplus has begun preliminary work for resuming operations. The headquarters purchasing team is negotiating with suppliers of fresh and processed foods to restart product supply. It is also reportedly preparing to activate logistics centers and secure delivery drivers.The incoming DIP funds are expected to be prioritized for normalizing the product supply chain. Additionally, they plan to use the funds to settle unpaid severance payments to former employees and outstanding wages for current staff.Meanwhile, the company has indicated that it aims to resume operations within seven days of receiving the DIP funds.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:56:00
  • QatarEnergy Purchases 33 LNG Cargoes from U.S. Amid Hormuz Export Disruptions
    QatarEnergy Purchases 33 LNG Cargoes from U.S. Amid Hormuz Export Disruptions Qatar, facing disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports through the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran conflict, has significantly increased its purchases of U.S. LNG to maintain supply to its Asian customers.According to Reuters on July 30, Qatar's state-owned energy company QatarEnergy has acquired 33 cargoes of U.S. LNG this year. These cargoes will be supplied to South Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, and Japan.Last year, QatarEnergy purchased only four cargoes of U.S. LNG. The surge in purchases this year is attributed to Iran's blockade of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which has also affected Qatar's LNG exports.Following the blockade, QatarEnergy declared force majeure on LNG shipments. While this declaration can relieve the company of contractual supply obligations, QatarEnergy has sought to secure alternative supplies to minimize gaps for its major customers.According to Reuters calculations, the 33 cargoes represent about one-third of QatarEnergy's monthly LNG export volume prior to the conflict. The total purchase amount is estimated at around $1 billion.One source described this purchase as a 'goodwill gesture' from QatarEnergy to its key customers. Another source noted that QatarEnergy is demonstrating its commitment to its customers and its efforts to maintain supply.QatarEnergy has directly purchased the LNG from U.S. producer Venture Global and has also secured some volumes from Venture Global's customers.Data analysis firm Kpler reported that 28 of the 33 cargoes have already been delivered, while the remaining five are en route to South Korea, Taiwan, and India.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:56:00
  • Investments Shift Focus to Sensory AI in Humanoid Robotics
    Investments Shift Focus to Sensory AI in Humanoid Robotics The landscape of humanoid robotics investment is changing. In the past, funding was primarily directed towards hardware components like joints and actuators that enable robot movement. Recently, however, there has been a surge in investments towards startups developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that replicate human senses such as touch, hearing, sight, and smell.According to the '2026 Physical AI Startup Map' released by Startup Alliance on July 30, among 149 domestic physical AI startups, 70 are robotics companies, accounting for approximately 47% of the total. Recent investments are increasingly targeting startups that develop sensory AI technologies, moving beyond those that simply manufacture humanoids.In the first half of this year, Holiday Robotics, which develops humanoids for manufacturing environments, secured 155 billion won in a Series A funding round, marking a trend of large-scale investments. Recently, funding has also flowed into companies focused on sensory technologies that enable humanoids to perceive and interact with their surroundings like humans.A notable example is Tesolo, which develops robotic hand (gripper) technology. In June, Tesolo secured Series B funding, although the amount was not disclosed. The company supplies multi-joint robotic hands to major firms such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Delta Electronics, and exports its products to 19 countries, including the United States and Japan, demonstrating its competitive edge in commercialization. Gripper technology is considered essential for robots to stably grasp and manipulate various objects like human hands.Investments are also continuing in the auditory AI sector. The sound AI startup Deeplee raised 2.5 billion won in funding on June 25. Deeplee has developed 'ListenAI,' which can detect machine anomalies or assess component quality based solely on sound in manufacturing settings. Currently, it is utilized for quality inspection, equipment anomaly detection, and safety management, and it is expected to be applied to humanoids in the future to identify hazardous situations or machine issues in real-time based on sound.In the visual AI sector, Superb AI raised 14 billion won through a pre-IPO at the end of last year. Its technology, based on a visual language model (VLM) that understands both images and text, is used for quality inspection and risk detection in manufacturing environments. The company plans to expand its technology into a visual-language-action (VLA) model that can perform actual actions.Additionally, investments have recently flowed into startups like Ilias AI, which is developing olfactory foundation models, and SixSense, which is learning tactile data. Although the markets for olfactory and tactile AI are still in their infancy, these technologies are deemed essential for humanoids to utilize all five senses like humans, leading to increased interest in related startups.Industry experts believe that South Korea, as a manufacturing powerhouse, has a high potential to secure competitiveness in the sensory AI field. The country has the infrastructure to enhance sensory AI by leveraging data accumulated from various manufacturing environments, including smart factories, automotive, and semiconductor industries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:52:20