[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] KTCorporation(030200)(CEO Park Yoon-young) has partnered with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Dime Research, a company specializing in physical AI, to develop and commercialize physical AI technology for the automation and unmanned operation of manufacturing sites.

KTCorporation announced on the 8th that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KAIST and Daim Research for the development, demonstration, and commercialization of physical AI technology. This agreement was finalized after the three organizations discussed collaboration strategies in conjunction with the second phase of the “Physical AI Alliance,” an initiative led by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The three organizations will collaborate on commercializing the Dark Factory platform to realize unmanned factories, identifying business opportunities in Physical AI, and expanding the global reach of “K-Physical AI.”

In particular, the Dark Factory platform project will be driven by the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “2026 Project to Foster an R&D Ecosystem for Collaborative Intelligence and Physical AI-Based Software Platforms.” This initiative involves developing and demonstrating unmanned and automated platforms to enable manufacturing sites to operate autonomously using AI, with the three organizations participating jointly for five years.

KAIST and Daim Research will develop technologies for the automation of manufacturing processes based on logistics and manufacturing robot control platforms and robotics technology. They plan to build a testbed resembling actual industrial sites to validate the technology and expand its application to various manufacturing sectors based on the results of the pilot program.

KTCorporation will provide an operational platform that integrates the management of robots and AI systems based on a data platform. It will support real-time decision-making and control of robots by leveraging edge AI and ultra-high-speed, ultra-low-latency networks.

They will also build a physical AI environment where robots perceive their surroundings, make independent decisions, and perform tasks. To achieve this, they will combine simulation technology for AI training and performance verification with system integration capabilities based on Agent AI agents.

What is Dime Research?

Dime Research is a KAIST spin-off company established in January 2020 and founded by Professor Jang Young-jae of the KAIST Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. The company develops software that utilizes AI and digital twin technologies to integrate the control of logistics robots in advanced manufacturing sites—such as semiconductor, display, and secondary battery facilities—and optimize production and logistics operations.

In particular, its core competitive strengths lie in swarm control technology—which manages multiple heterogeneous robots within a single system—and digital twin-based simulation. The company provides control and optimization solutions for various logistics robots used in manufacturing facilities, such as OHTs, AGVs, and stockers.

Dime Research is a privately held company that has secured investments from Stonebridge Ventures, Inc., Atinum Investment Co., Ltd., COMPANY K PARTNERS LIMITED, Naver, and POSCO Technology Investment, among others. In 2025, the company secured a Series B investment of 22 billion won from investors including Atinum Investment Co., Ltd, Stonebridge Ventures, Inc., COMPANY K PARTNERS LIMITED, Daesung Venture Investment, and the Korea Development Bank; its cumulative investment at that time was reported to be approximately 34 billion won.

The three institutions plan to establish an Agent AI-based operational and validation environment for Physical AI and continue to verify its applicability in manufacturing settings. They will also focus on training specialized personnel, commercializing the technology, and expanding into global markets.

Choi Seong-yul, Vice President for Research at KAIST, stated, “The competitive edge of Physical AI lies not only in technological development but also in operating it in actual manufacturing environments and verifying its performance,” adding, “We will create an industry-academia collaboration model where research outcomes are validated in corporate settings and lead to new industries and businesses.”

Jang Young-jae, CEO of Daim Research, said, “By combining KAIST’s research capabilities, KTCorporation’s AI and network infrastructure, and Daim Research’s robot operation, control, and Dark Factory technologies, we will create a success story in Physical AI-based autonomous manufacturing.”

Park Sang-won, Executive Vice President and Head of KTCorporation’s AX Business Division, stated, “We have established a Physical AI collaboration framework that spans research and development, demonstration, and commercialization,” adding, “We will support the intelligent transformation of manufacturing sites by consolidating KTCorporation’s AX capabilities, including Agent AI, edge AI, and networks.”