[Edaily Reporter Shin Young-bin] Cimes Robotics defines itself not merely as an automation equipment manufacturer, but as a “Physical AI” company that enables artificial intelligence (AI) to perform actual tasks in the real world.

Lee Seong-ho, CEO of Cimes Robotics, stated, “We are not a company that builds automation equipment; we are a company that enables AI to actually work in the real world,” attributing the company’s competitive edge to its physical AI technology implemented in industrial settings.

He explained that Cimes Robotics’ core competency lies in automating high-difficulty processes in manufacturing and logistics—which were difficult to solve with existing technologies—based on AI vision, robot control, and real-time path generation technologies, and applying these solutions all the way to the mass production stage.

Although physical AI has recently garnered global attention as a next-generation industrial innovation technology, there are still few cases where it has been applied in actual industrial settings to deliver tangible results. In contrast, Cimes Robotics is driving change in the industrial sector by commercializing industrial physical AI in manufacturing and logistics sites and applying it to mass production systems.

Based on AI technology that independently recognizes objects and determines work paths, Cimes Robotics is developing AI robotics solutions that enable robots to autonomously handle repetitive or complex tasks previously performed by humans. The company is recognized for not only enhancing productivity and efficiency in manufacturing and logistics sites but also accelerating the digital transformation of industrial sites.

Physical AI Proven in Industrial Settings

Cimes Robotics recorded consolidated revenue of 5.77 billion won in the first quarter of this year. This represents an increase of approximately 562% compared to the 870 million won recorded in the same period last year, marking the company’s highest quarterly revenue since its founding. CEO Lee assessed these results as “the point at which the industrial application of Physical AI has truly begun.”

He stated, “While we were previously in the phase of explaining new technologies to customers and pioneering the market, we are now moving into the stage of actual operation and expansion following validation at our clients’ sites,” adding, “Discussions regarding additional applications and expansion are ongoing, centered on major clients.”

He continued, “AI-based production innovation cases are expanding not only in logistics but also in areas that were previously difficult to address with existing automation technology alone, such as the manufacturing processes of global sports brands and the automotive industry,” explaining that “this marks the point where Cimes Robotics’ technology is being fully applied in actual mass production environments.”

Recently, the company signed a 6.9 billion won supply contract with a major domestic fulfillment firm, marking its largest single contract to date. CEO Lee assessed the significance of the contract, stating, “A paradigm shift in the logistics industry has begun.”

Traditional logistics centers were designed based on human-centered work processes. However, as AI-based robot systems are being validated in the field, the perspectives of client companies are also shifting.

He said, “While logistics centers were previously designed with human labor in mind, we will now redesign the entire process around AI and robots,” adding, “An era is coming where intelligent robotics companies will stand at the center of logistics operations and line optimization.”

Mass Production Competitiveness Driven by On-Site Data

The key differentiators CEO Lee emphasized most are on-site data and mass production experience.

He remarked, “Simply adding some AI features to a robot does not make it Physical AI,” adding, “True Physical AI involves solving the most challenging problems in industrial settings using AI and robotics, and implementing them as repeatable and stable systems.”

Cimes Robotics is continuously refining its models by learning from unstructured objects, exceptional situations, and process variables that occur in actual manufacturing and logistics environments.

He explained, “Real-world data is far more important than laboratory data,” adding, “We are creating a virtuous cycle where data accumulated in mass production environments builds technological competitiveness, and that competitiveness in turn leads to successful mass production.”

He added, “Our current robot cells and picking systems are not merely products but learning platforms for future humanoids and industrial AI,” noting, “The data and experience we secure now will determine our competitiveness in the upcoming era of humanoids.”

Beyond Logistics to Manufacturing… Targeting Dark Stores

The market Cimes Robotics is focusing on is not limited to the logistics sector. As labor shortages and demands for productivity improvements grow across the manufacturing industry, the demand for AI-based production innovation is also rapidly increasing.

CEO Lee Seong-ho said, “Recently, we’ve seen an increase in inquiries from manufacturing companies asking whether it’s possible to go beyond automating individual processes and redesign the entire production line around AI,” adding, “As more cases emerge where processes that were difficult to automate with existing technology are being implemented using AI, customer perceptions are changing significantly.”

In particular, sectors with many non-standard tasks and complex process variables—such as footwear manufacturing and the automotive industry—had limitations when relying solely on existing automation technologies. Cimes Robotics is expanding the scope of automation to include these high-difficulty areas by combining AI vision and robot control technologies.

A prime example is the shoe manufacturing process for a global sports brand. The company recently signed a supply contract worth 5.2 billion won and is applying 3D vision and robot guidance technologies to a shoe manufacturing process that was difficult to automate due to non-standard materials and a high-mix production structure. Through this, the company is establishing a system where tasks that previously relied on human labor can be performed by AI and robots.

CEO Lee’s ultimate vision for Physical AI is the “Dark Store” and “Dark Factory.” The concept involves creating a fully autonomous environment where AI understands all workflows in logistics and manufacturing sites, and robots execute these tasks.

He stated, “While individual robot cells and AI-based work systems are currently the focus, an era is coming where the entire process—from order receipt to picking, packing, and production—will be AI-driven,” adding, “I want to make the future a reality where AI understands industrial sites and makes decisions independently to carry out tasks.”

He continued, “Cimes Robotics is not simply a company that sells automation equipment; we are a company that brings previously impossible processes to life through AI and robotics.” He emphasized, “We will grow into an industrial physical AI company that revolutionizes the very structure of the manufacturing and logistics industries.”