Issues & Trends

UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD: "Moving Beyond Automobiles into the Era of Humanoid Robot Exoskeletons"

Next-Generation Materials Market Gains Attention Amid the Spread of AI Humanoids HyundaiMotor’s Functional Materials Technology Gains Attention Based on Supply Experience

[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD(011330)is exploring the possibility of entering the market for “Smart Robotic Skin” for next-generation humanoid robots, based on its automotive functional materials technology.

The company announced on the 29th that it expects the durability, tactile properties, flame-retardant capabilities, and eco-friendly material technologies it has accumulated over decades of developing and supplying automotive interior materials and functional materials to be applicable to the exoskeletons of humanoid robots that interact directly with humans.
Exterior view of the UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD headquarters. (Photo: UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD)

As global tech giants and automakers have recently accelerated the development of AI-based humanoid robots, the importance of skin materials that come into contact with humans—beyond simple metal frames—is growing.

UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD is exploring ways to apply the material technologies it has accumulated over decades of developing and supplying automotive interior materials and functional materials to robot exteriors, incorporating features such as high durability, flame retardancy, stain resistance, a soft texture, and eco-friendly properties.

The company forecasts that the market for smart exteriors—which combine sensors, heating functions, and electronic materials—will grow in the future. It also expects that functional materials based on the “e-Skin” concept will see their applications expand beyond humanoid robots to various industries, including medical devices and wearables.

Industry observers believe that as global automakers, including HyundaiMotor Group, are cultivating AI-based humanoid robot businesses as future growth engines, the role of functional materials companies—which have accumulated technological expertise in the automotive industry—will also grow.

UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD stated, “Automotive materials and robot exteriors share many technical similarities,” adding, “We plan to explore various business opportunities in the future smart materials market by leveraging our competitive edge in the existing automotive materials business.”

Economy

Corporation

IT·Science

Economy

"2 Trillion Won in Sales Thanks to 20% Cashback"—Samsung's Audit Festival a Huge Hit… Positive Sign for DX Earnings

With SamsungElectronics’ “Together with the People: SamsungElectronics Appreciation Festival,” which began on the 8th of last month, coming to a close on the 5th, there are expectations that this even…
2026-07-05 13:53:57

Corporation

Hyundai Department Store Receives 'Top' Rating in SustainBest ESG Assessment

Hyundai Department Store ( HYUNDAIDEPARTMENTSTORECO.,LTD(069960)) announced on the 5th that it received the highest rating of “AA” in the first half of this year’s ESG evaluation conducted by SustainB…
2026-07-05 16:38:56

IT·Science

FDE: OpenAI, SAP, and Microsoft Have Joined the Fray… The Rules for Corporate AI Adoption Are Changing

The way global companies adopt artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly shifting toward a field-based engineering approach. As the ability to successfully integrate AI into actual business systems beco…
2026-07-05 15:06:36