HD Hyundai Robotics launches first new collaborative robots in 6 years, taking on Doosan

HD Hyundai Robotics, a leader in industrial robots, is set to launch its first new collaborative robot models in six years. The move aims to meet surging demand for collaborative robots as companies accelerate their shift to smart factories. The new lineup puts HD Hyundai Robotics on a collision course with Doosan Robotics, a global top-five player in the collaborative robot market. The company plans to keep expanding its robot product portfolio.

According to industry sources, HD Hyundai Robotics will release three new collaborative robot models on July 1 — its first new collaborative robot products since 2020.

The three models are the HDC 50-17, the HDC 35-18 and the HDC 25-18. The standout is by far the HDC 50-17, which has a payload capacity — the maximum weight it can lift — of 50 kilograms, 20 kilograms more than the 30-kilogram maximum payload of Doosan Robotics’ collaborative robots. Its maximum reach is 170 centimeters.

The HDC 35-18 has a payload capacity of 35 kilograms and a maximum reach of 188 centimeters. The HDC 25-18 shares the same maximum reach as the HDC 35-18 but carries a payload of 25 kilograms.

HD Hyundai Robotics holds the top position in South Korea’s industrial robot market but had until now taken a cautious approach to the collaborative robot segment. Its change in stance reflects growing demand for collaborative robots as businesses transition to smart factories. Collaborative robots are designed to work alongside humans, giving them a safety advantage over conventional industrial robots.

That advantage has helped drive sustained growth in the global collaborative robot market. According to market research firm Global Market Insights, the market was valued at $1.86 billion (about 3 trillion won) in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 32.4 percent, reaching $30.55 billion (about 47 trillion won) by 2034.

HD Hyundai Robotics’ entry into the collaborative robot space makes competition with Doosan Robotics inevitable. Doosan Robotics holds the No. 1 market share in South Korea’s collaborative robot market and ranks fifth globally. While the company has been stepping up development of intelligent robot solutions, collaborative robots remain its core product.

HD Hyundai Robotics plans to mount an aggressive marketing push to close the gap with Doosan Robotics and other global collaborative robot makers. The company’s strategy is to leverage its existing sales networks in the United States, China and Germany to rapidly expand its market presence.

The company also plans to keep releasing new robot products beyond collaborative robots. At an earnings presentation earlier this year, HD Hyundai said it was “pouring large amounts of research and development funding into large robots and other products slated for release in the first quarter of next year.” HD Hyundai Robotics’ recurring R&D expenditure last year came to 11.9 billion won, up 46.9 percent from 8.1 billion won the previous year.

However, concerns have emerged that duplicate-listing regulations could hamper HD Hyundai Robotics’ investment plans. The company had been actively pursuing an initial public offering earlier this year, going as far as seeking underwriters, but is understood to have put the IPO process on hold after financial regulators moved to ban subsidiary dual listings. HD Hyundai, the group’s holding company, currently holds an 80 percent stake in HD Hyundai Robotics.

yeongdai@heraldcorp.com