KIST KAPEX humanoid: over 90% of core components Korean-made, with LG companies leading commercialization
More than 90% of the core components in KAPEX, the humanoid built by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), are made in Korea, including its actuators, joints and sensors, Seoul Economic Daily reported Nov. 4. The report came as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea named Lee Jong-won, head of KIST's humanoid research group, the November winner of the Korea Science and Technology Award for KAPEX.
Per the report, KAPEX walks while carrying more than 20 kg, its joint-sized actuators produce up to 300 Nm of torque, and fingertip sensors let it adjust its grip. KIST transferred core technology to LG Electronics in September 2025. LG Electronics handles the platform, LG AI Research physical AI, LG Energy Solution solid-state batteries and Robostar mass production.
KAPEX is still a research platform, tested in a home-like lab at KIST, with field tests in hospitals and public facilities planned. Aggregator Humanoids Daily flagged the report. No new video was released.
More on humanoid robots.
About the footage: No new footage: the report carries KIST-supplied photos of KAPEX standing still; no video came with it.
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Sources
- Seoul Economic Daily: KIST Builds Humanoid Robot With 90% Local Parts, Transfers Tech to LG
- Seoul Economic Daily (Korean): '국산화율 90%' 휴머노이드 개발…기술이전으로 산업 생태계 넓혀
- Humanoids Daily (aggregator): KIST's KAPEX Humanoid Reportedly Uses Over 90% Korean-Made Core Components
- Yonhap (Korean): KIST·LG, 한국형 휴머노이드 '케이펙스' 개발
- Humanoids Daily on X
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