Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee praised wearable robots on October 8, stating they are a vital industry that reduces physical burdens on workers and assists seniors and those in need of rehabilitation.
Mayor Han made these remarks after attending the first Korea (Gunpo) Wearable Robot Innovation Forum, organized by Gunpo City and the Gunpo Industrial Promotion Agency.
He emphasized the establishment of a wearable robot demonstration center as a foundation for transforming local manufacturing into advanced industries and fostering the future robotics sector.
The plan aims to cultivate wearable robots as a new growth engine for Gunpo, reducing worker burdens in industrial settings while supporting the daily lives of seniors and citizens requiring rehabilitation.
The forum was designed to discuss innovations in industrial settings using wearable, collaborative, and humanoid robots, as well as to promote the ongoing project to establish a wearable robot demonstration center in Gunpo.
Approximately 120 representatives from key organizations, including the Korea Testing Laboratory for Machinery and Electronics, the Korea Robot Industry Promotion Agency, the Korea AI and Robot Industry Association, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, attended the event.
Mayor Han views wearable robots as a future industry that can alleviate physical burdens on workers and assist seniors and those needing rehabilitation. He plans to build a growth foundation for related industries centered around the demonstration center.
In particular, the focus will be on creating an industrial ecosystem that facilitates product testing and certification locally, leading to market entry both domestically and internationally, while supporting the transition of existing manufacturing and component companies into the advanced robotics sector.
During the forum, Mayor Han stated, "Wearable robots are an important industry that reduces physical burdens on workers and helps the daily lives of seniors and those in need of rehabilitation. Through the establishment of the wearable robot demonstration center, we will create a growth foundation for the robotics industry, enabling products that have undergone testing and certification locally to enter domestic and international markets."
The forum featured a keynote speech by Yu Jae-gwan, a research fellow at LIG Nex1, followed by an introduction to the demonstration center project and a panel discussion on building a wearable robot innovation ecosystem centered in Gunpo.
Experts also delivered lectures on topics such as the global wearable robot market and technological advancements, rehabilitation and walking support in medical settings, and strategies for adapting to changes in the robotics industry.
Attendees had the opportunity to experience prototype wearable robots from WithForce and Hurotics at the event's experience center, examining the products' operation and potential applications in industrial settings.
This initiative is also noteworthy for its potential to revitalize the local economy and improve citizens' living environments. The application of wearable robots in industrial settings could help reduce physical burdens on workers and provide new options for seniors and citizens needing walking and rehabilitation support.
There is also interest in how the growth of related companies and the transition of local manufacturing could lead to enhanced business competitiveness and job creation.
However, specific public opinions or interview materials have not been confirmed, highlighting the need to incorporate feedback from actual users and the local community in future project implementation.
Yoo Byeong-jik, head of the Gunpo Industrial Promotion Agency, remarked, "It is significant that industry, academia, research, and government have come together to explore directions for building an industrial ecosystem. We will strive to support technology validation and commercialization based on the wearable robot demonstration center, positioning Gunpo as a hub for the related industry."
Meanwhile, Mayor Han plans to strengthen cooperation among related institutions and companies through this forum, supporting technology validation and commercialization centered around the demonstration center to develop Gunpo into a key validation hub for South Korea's wearable robot industry.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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