[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon] #iRobotics is set to target the humanoid robot market with its next-generation reducer featuring silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) bearings.

iRobotics, a company currently undergoing a restructuring to position itself as a specialist in robot reducer design, announced on the 5th that it has completed the development of silicon nitride bearing-based reducers and established a mass production system, and is now embarking on full-scale business expansion.

The company invested in a domestic silicon nitride materials firm last April to replace the steel bearings used in existing robot reducers, and based on this, developed reducers incorporating silicon nitride bearings.

The silicon nitride bearing reducer is characterized by a weight reduction to one-third that of existing products while significantly increasing rigidity. The company expects that by achieving both lightweight design and high rigidity, it will be able to improve battery efficiency—a key challenge in the commercialization of humanoid robots.

In particular, due to the characteristics of silicon nitride, it enables both improved torque performance and overall system weight reduction, leading to high potential for application in industrial and humanoid robotics.

Following the recent resolution of a management dispute, iRobotics is expanding its investment in the robotics business. The company has invested approximately 40 to 50 billion won to establish production facilities for ultra-compact harmonic reducers and is working to stabilize its mass production system.

It has also strengthened its production strategy. iRobotics has established a "fabless-foundry" structure in which it handles core design and engineering, utilizing Haesung Aerobotics—a robot parts manufacturer in which it holds a stake—as its domestic production hub and the global company Sling as its overseas production hub.

Through this approach, the company plans to respond flexibly to changes in domestic and international market demand and improve production efficiency.

An iRobotics official stated, “Ultra-lightweight, high-rigidity reducers based on silicon nitride bearings will become a key component in accelerating the commercialization of humanoid robots,” adding, “We will actively respond to market expansion based on proactive facility investments and our domestic and international production network.”