[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] As the competition in humanoid robotics expands beyond “how well they move” to “how precisely they sense their surroundings,” UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD(011330)is accelerating the commercialization of its electronic skin (e-Skin) technology.

Cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) alone have limitations in accurately determining the force applied to an object, slippage, or contact intensity. Electronic skin—often referred to as a robot’s skin—is the technology that compensates for these limitations. Applied to a robot’s hands and outer shell, it detects pressure, temperature, and contact status, converting this information into data that AI can interpret.

UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD is pursuing the commercialization of electronic skin based on the technology of Lumia Technologies, a U.S.-based deep-tech company specializing in flexible electronics, which UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD has decided to acquire 100% of.

Lumia’s core technology, “LEL (Loomia Electronic Layer),” involves embedding a thin, flexible electronic circuit layer within leather or fabric to integrate sensing, heating, and data transmission capabilities directly into the material itself. Unlike methods that attach individual sensors, this technology allows the entire surface of a robot to function as a single sensory organ.

The scope of application can be expanded from robotic hands and grippers used to grasp objects to the arms and full-body exoskeletons of humanoids that come into direct contact with humans. When applied to automotive seats and interior materials, it can also be used as a smart surface that detects passengers’ seating positions and temperature changes.

Lumia has currently signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with multiple global robotics companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and parts suppliers, and is proceeding with projects involving the application of electronic skin and tactile sensing technologies. UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD plans to leverage its 50 years of accumulated expertise in automotive material manufacturing, processing, quality control, and mass production to translate Lumia’s technology into actual mass-produced products.

In particular, the company explains that, given the current development progress of its ongoing global projects, its humanoid-related business could generate revenue sooner than expected.

UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD stated, “For physical AI to function in the real world, it requires not only a brain and joints but also skin that can sense the external environment,” adding, “Considering the development progress of our ongoing global projects, we expect humanoid tactile sensing technology to generate actual mass-production revenue sooner than anticipated.”