IZIrobotics targeting development of low-priced models for commercialization Roboid (model: Cubo, etc.), developed by IZIrobotics seems to be like a member of the family or a pet at home. It works on wireless Internet access points. Roboid communicates with roboid server systems through the Internet network with the server providing A.I. (artificial intelligence) to the roboid. Roboid can drive and interface with many useful contents for entertainment, education, information, and even lifestyle. In the case of TOBO developed by IZIrobotics as well, it combines penguins with the persons of the South Pole, which are the existing features, and from the TOBO star outer space concept it is new generation, sensing the design on the character robot. Established in Jan. 2000, IZIrobotics, which manufactures interesting robots like this, began the company's business with a view to developing individual robots. However, IZIrobotics now aims to develop not only entertainment robots that appeal to an individual's sensitivity, but also lowprice type robot models with strong marketability, focusing on information service. With a view to developing low-price model robots with strong marketability, IZIrobotics (www.izirobotics.com) is taking the lead alongside of Yujin Robotics in Korea's robot field in terms of development and prospects for capturing market share, according to robot experts familiar with its market. In this regard, IZIrobotics president Wayne T. Cho, who says that the company will seek success in the soccer robot field in future, commented in an interview with The Korea IT Times with FIRA coming soon as an impetus that IZIrobotics has plans to take part in large-scale robot exhibitions like FIRA to be held on June 30 in Dortmund, Germany, as well as Robot Nexus, and Robot Business exhibitions. Targeting laboratories and manias, Cho said that the company is first of all aiming to assist in promoting effective science education of elementary, middle and high school students in the case of robots for education. Diverse content development needed Regarding sensitivity-model entertainment robots as well as other robot products IZIrobotics is developing, the president said that the company would develop robots capable of chatting with people through messengers in future. IZIrobotics is planning to allow robots and people to share each other's feelings and to express their emotions through chatting. President Cho who pointed out that diverse content development relieves surfeit robots said that IZIrobotics is planning to unfold its pilot project with MIC concerning URC robots (Ubiquitous Robotics Companion). IZIrobotics, which is planning to launch robots for education and character robots respectively this month, is going to display them at the Robo Business 2006 (Pennsylvania, USA), Cho said, adding that the company is slated to present robots which can link with networks such as Ubiquitous robots by next October. At the moment, 'CUBO,' developed by a consortium with another company and as a governmental task including IZIrobotics, is in service in 40 pilot households, according to executives responsible for robot service at the company. In the early morning, for instance CUBO awakens the household with a morning call, offers them weather information plus music service and e-mail service. Since it provides users with an interesting narrated fairly tale for children, its popularity is high, but to maintain continuous interest and buyer interest, above all content development has to be preceded as abovementioned, Cho pointed out. IZI's entertainment robot 'TOBO' is an intelligent robot with a cute character that merged the South Pole's penguin into a spaceman's shape. TOBO series, which is possible to control and to monitor in an Internet-based remote way and can generate sensitivity by recognizing the surrounding environment, consist of GENTOO, PINNI, SANI. In the case of GENTOO, it can be utilized in a variety of games such as robot soccer, pocket ball and so forth. Synergy effect through Korea's developed IT technology & convergence. Concerning robots' concept and management strategy that IZIrobotics will develop in future, Cho explained that the company has received investments to advance continuously and stably. From the robot products to be commercialized this year, he emphasizes that IZIrobotics is planning to market with a full-scale commercialization approach. The president who stressed repeatedly during an interview with The Korea IT Times that he is an entrepreneur who studied business management differently from other robot manufacturing companies' CEOs at home and abroad and technology engineer graduates, has committed himself to doing his best in developing attractive robots with a thoroughly commercialization mindset so that IZIrobotics products may arouse strong consumer awareness in domestic and foreign markets. Further, he said that IZIrobotics aims to develop an entertainment robot which can give people joy and pleasure at a reasonable price so that the company can get closer to the general public and develop familiarly easily by developing and selling entertainment robot such as a robot like a plaything, and robot like an animal. In regard to the Korean robot industry's competitiveness with Japan, Cho expressed the view that Japan is ahead of Korea in terms of the robot mechanisms or materials industry. Korea cannot overtake Japan in terms of robot development or parts supply, but it is true that Korea is taking the lead in terms of developing commercialization. In particular, he underscored that it is possible to combine Korea's developed IT and robot mechanisms without limitations. He explained what it means to develop so that it may be possible to come into action from the outside by utilizing robots as a terminal and by forging it as a terminal concept. He concluded his interview with the observation that next-generation robots have to create synergy effects and nurture market competitiveness through Korea's highly developed IT technology and convergence.