The government plans to invest 1 trillion won to become one of the top three countries of the robot industry by 2013. Through this plan, it intends to create a market estimated at 4 trillion won and reach a 13.3 percent share of the international market.
Huh Kyung, Director General for Emerging Industry under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), said: “The government plans to invest about 1 trillion won in robot industry-related R&D” in a public hearing for the First Plan for Developing Intelligent Robots held at the Seoul KyoYuk MunHwa HoeKwan on the 11th of March.
The government will announce the First Basic Plan for Intelligent Robots next month, after the National Science & Technology Council examines it. The Plan includes two steps - first, making Korea a big three country in the robot industry by 2013, and becoming a leading country in 2018. The government categorized robots into three areas for the plan. The first kind of robots is for expanding markets such as manufacturing, education, and cleaning. The second kind of robots is for creating new markets such as entertainment, monitoring and reconnaissance, operation, fire fighting, taking care of the elderly, and transportation. The third kind is for leading technologies such as housekeeping, underwater/aviation, imitating the human body, and wearable robots.
One project for expanding the market is a support program for robots which are already being sold in existing markets, so it will focus on commercializing and creating demand. On the other hand, the two other projects are designed for leading markets after 5 years and 10 years respectively, and will focus on securing basic technologies.
There are 16 main tasks being promoted in four fields: R&D, creating demand, basic development, and cooperation.
Huh said: “For successful promotion, the MKE will discuss the plan with other ministries and offices to get as much of a budget as possible. Also we expect to create 14 thousand new jobs.”
