Daegu Metropolitan City Accelerates Transformation into the AI Advanced Robotics Capital

【Financial News, Daegu = Kim Jang-wook, Reporter】Daegu Metropolitan City is making an all-out effort to transform itself into South Korea's AI advanced robotics capital.
Daegu Metropolitan City is accelerating its transformation into an AI advanced robotics capital. The city plans to build on the government's designation of the Specialized Complex for National Advanced Strategic Industries (Humanoid Robots), as well as the robotics capabilities and full-cycle infrastructure it has proactively developed.
Humanoid robots, in particular, combine hardware such as motors and reducers with AI software capabilities. The industry is expected to serve as a key driver in advancing the region's existing machinery- and automotive-parts-centered industrial ecosystem.
Accordingly, the city plans to systematically expand its support programs. These efforts will help local companies naturally extend their strong manufacturing capabilities into the humanoid-robot value chain and secure differentiated competitiveness in the emerging future market.
Mayor Choo Kyung-ho emphasized, "The designation of the specialized complex will be a major turning point in transforming Daegu's industrial structure into a future-oriented one by injecting advanced innovation drivers such as AI and robotics into the region's traditional manufacturing industries. We will concentrate our capabilities on this initiative so that companies' bold investments and innovation efforts can produce tangible industrial results and Daegu can firmly emerge as the AI advanced robotics capital leading the global robotics market."
The region's key leading companies in robotics—HD Hyundai Robotics, SL, Roboneers, Megazone, Daedong Robotics, SAMICK THK, SAMBO MOTORS, LS Mecapion, STAR GROUP, PHA, AJINEXTEK, and Beyless—plan to make private-sector investments totaling approximately 2.2 trillion won over the medium to long term. The city will focus its administrative support on ensuring that these investments proceed smoothly and that local small and midsize companies can participate meaningfully in the related industrial ecosystem, including parts and module supply chains.
Daegu's specialized complex will complete an end-to-end value chain centered on four key hubs, each responsible for a different stage of the robotics industry. Suseong Alpha City will oversee the AI control and software convergence ecosystem that serves as the robots' brain, while Daegu Technopolis will lead the design of core components and fundamental R&D based on its research institutions.
Seongseo Industrial Complex, with its traditional manufacturing capabilities, will handle parts procurement, prototype production, and on-site testing. Daegu National Industrial Complex will serve as the final supply base in charge of assembling finished products and producing core components.
The specialized complex is also significant because it was jointly established by Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. Daegu Metropolitan City plans to work closely with North Gyeongsang Province as the complex is developed, increasing interregional industrial synergies. The two sides will also join forces to gain an advantageous position in strengthening global robotics competitiveness by promoting a growth engine for the greater Daegu-Gyeongbuk region and seeking designation as a Robot Mega Special Zone.

[email protected] Kim Jang-wook Reporter