South Korean AI Startup Raises $15M for Robotics Foundation Models

Seoul, South Korea - RLWRLD has secured KRW 21 billion (US$14.7 million) in seed funding to develop robotics foundation models (RFM) based on real-world manufacturing data, the company announced Tuesday.

The investment round included participation from major Korean and Japanese manufacturers and global venture capital firms, as RLWRLD positions itself to compete in the emerging physical AI market.

The company was founded by Jung-hee Ryu, who resigned as CEO of FuturePlay after 13 years to focus on the new venture. Ryu previously founded Olaworks, which was acquired by Intel in 2012.

"While AI has rapidly grown based on internet data like language, it is now evolving into physical AI that understands real-world data and converts it into physical actions," said Ryu, according to the company statement. "Unlike the LLM market dominated by global big tech, the RFM market is just opening, and the data and field experience of Korean and Japanese manufacturing companies will be decisive in this competition."

Strategic investors in the funding round include LG Electronics, SK Telecom, and DRB Dongil from Korea, as well as Japanese corporations KDDI, ANA Holdings, Mitsui Chemical, and Shimadzu Corporation. 

Venture capital participants include Hashed, Mirae Asset Venture Investment, Global Brain, and PKSHA Technology Capital.

The company said that RLWRLD has partnered with KAIST, Seoul National University, and POSTECH, leveraging South Korea's research capabilities, which rank third globally in RFM-related academic papers.

Jin-woo Shin, endowed professor at KAIST AI Graduate School and RLWRLD's Chief Scientist, stated, "Truly competitive AI emerges from environments where real-world data can be directly utilized."

The company is developing its RFM technology through a proprietary AI architecture, a manufacturing data-based learning platform, and AI-robot interoperability technologies. 

RLWRLD has formed strategic alliances with robotics companies, including WE Robotics, Robotis, Wonick Robotics, and Rainbow Robotics, to develop reference humanoid robots.

To enhance its technology ecosystem, additional partnerships include sensor companies SOS Lab, ADIN Robotics, and Bitsensing, as well as AI firms DeepingSource, Plylat, and Seoul Robotics.

Hashed CEO Seo-jun Kim described RLWRLD's approach as combining "usage-centric data and technology to lead innovation in the manufacturing industry," adding that "collaboration with global manufacturers is the strongest driving force to accelerate the commercialization of RFM technology."

RLWRLD plans to begin implementing proof-of-concept in industrial settings by late 2025, with technology validation efforts in South Korea, Japan, and the United States.