NC AI Selected for MOTIE National Project to Develop Domestic Autonomous Humanoids

[Financial News] NC AI has been finally selected as the organization responsible for the humanoid segment of the K-On-Device Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Technology Development Project, promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KEIT). NC AI will develop autonomous humanoid robot technology capable of performing human-level tasks in complex everyday environments. The company plans to work with partners including LG Electronics to strengthen the competitiveness of humanoids powered by domestically developed on-device AI semiconductors.
According to industry sources on the 3rd, NC AI will be responsible for developing initial training data for learning-based General Motion Tracking (GMT) and building a human-to-robot retargeting pipeline that transfers human movements to robots. The technology accounts for complex physical variables, including the humanoid's joint limitations, body proportions, foot support, and balance requirements, enabling robots to operate reliably in real-world environments.
NC AI plans to convert a wide range of human task movements into data optimized for humanoid training, thereby improving the completeness of full-body control technology.
To this end, NC AI will build a digital twin environment and create large-scale motion datasets for training across various scenarios without physical constraints. The company also plans to combine its world model technology with the motion-control capabilities it develops, advancing the technology to a level at which robots can predict changes in their surroundings and independently determine and continuously execute complex, multi-step, long-term tasks.
NC AI and consortium participants, including LG Electronics, will work together to connect robot hardware, data and AI models, and domestically developed on-device AI semiconductors within a single development framework. The goal is to secure high-performance, low-power AI semiconductors in advance for real-time motion control in everyday environments and ultimately develop humanoid technology based on on-device AI semiconductors.
The completed technology will be applied to general-purpose humanoids capable of performing various tasks in unstructured spaces such as homes, including organizing objects, transporting items, serving, and manipulating tools. It is also expected to be widely used in industrial and public sectors that require advanced on-site judgment and autonomous control, including support for operations at manufacturing and logistics sites, disaster response, facility inspections, and work in hazardous areas.
NC AI is expanding its physical AI business, focusing on the development of world models and robot foundation models. The company plans to advance AI models that can respond flexibly to diverse environments and strengthen its capabilities in enabling robots to make their own decisions and translate them into action.
[email protected] Jang Min-kwon Reporter