[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ]SKTelecom(017670)is partnering with leading domestic physical AI startups to accelerate the expansion of the robotics ecosystem. The plan is to combine “full-stack AI” capabilities—ranging from semiconductors to Robotics Foundation Models (RFM)—to facilitate the early adoption of research-stage technologies in industrial settings.

SKT announced on the 31st that it held a “Physical AI & Robotics Startup Roundtable” at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to share technology trends and discuss business collaboration strategies.

Physical AI is a technology that enables robots to independently perceive and assess the real world and act accordingly. The event was attended by a large number of executives from SKT, the SK Group AI Committee, SK hynix, SK AX, and other core SK Group member companies, as well as representatives from eight leading domestic Physical AI startups.

The participating startups—Gauss Labs, WIWORLD Co.,Ltd., MakinaRocks Co., Ltd., CMES Robotics, WiRobotics, Yuilrobotics. co., Ltd., Config Intelligence, and Holiday Robotics—possess technological capabilities spanning the entire spectrum of Physical AI, ranging from humanoid robots to wearable robots, industrial collaborative robots, and RFM.

During the roundtable, participants focused on discussing plans for joint proof-of-concept (PoC) projects across various industrial sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and services. In particular, they exchanged views on ways to create synergy by integrating SK Group’s capabilities in AI semiconductors, AI data centers, and digital twins with the startups’ robotics technologies.

Solutions were also proposed to address the “acquisition of high-quality data” and “establishment of proof-of-concept environments”—considered the greatest challenges in physical AI. SKT proposed a plan to build robot training data for RFM development by utilizing “digital twins,” which replicate industrial sites in a virtual space. It is expected that this will significantly accelerate the on-site application and commercialization of the technology.

The participating companies agreed to build an open ecosystem encompassing robot hardware, data, and AI models through ongoing collaboration.

Yoo Kyung-sang, Head of SKT’s AI CIC, stated, “In the physical AI industry, true innovation is only possible when a full-stack AI ecosystem—ranging from semiconductors to robot foundation models and application services—is organically interconnected.” He added, “We will continue to expand our partnerships with domestic physical AI startups and lead the development of the robotics ecosystem.”