Three new collaborative robot models set for July 1 launch; payload capacity reaches up to 50 kg; competition with global top-5 player Doosan Robotics to intensify; more new products, including large-scale robots, in the pipeline

New collaborative robot models from HD Hyundai Robotics. [Provided by HD Hyundai]

HD Hyundai Robotics, a leader in industrial robots, is set to launch its first new collaborative robot models in six years as surging demand from companies transitioning to smart factories drives the company to re-enter the segment. The move puts HD Hyundai Robotics on a collision course with Doosan Robotics, one of the world’s top five collaborative robot makers. The company plans to continue expanding its robot product lineup going forward.

According to industry sources, HD Hyundai Robotics will release three new collaborative robot models on July 1 — its first new collaborative robot offerings 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 kg, surpassing Doosan Robotics’ top collaborative robot payload of 30 kg by 20 kg. Its maximum reach is 170 cm.

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

HD Hyundai Robotics holds the top position in South Korea’s industrial robot market but had until now taken a cautious approach to collaborative robots. The shift in strategy reflects growing demand for collaborative robots as companies convert their facilities into smart factories. Collaborative robots are designed to work alongside humans, giving them a safety advantage over conventional industrial robots.

That advantage is helping fuel rapid growth in the global collaborative robot market. According to market research firm Global Market Insights, the global collaborative robot 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.

Doosan Robotics' collaborative robot P Series. [Provided by Doosan Robotics] — Doosan Robotics’ collaborative robot P Series. [Provided by Doosan Robotics]

With HD Hyundai Robotics entering the collaborative robot space, a direct clash with Doosan Robotics appears inevitable. Doosan Robotics holds the No. 1 market share in South Korea’s collaborative robot market and ranks fifth globally. The company has been pushing into intelligent robot solutions in recent months, but collaborative robots remain its core product.

HD Hyundai Robotics plans aggressive marketing to close the gap with Doosan Robotics and other global collaborative robot makers, leveraging its existing sales networks in the United States, China and Germany to rapidly expand its market presence.

The company also plans to continue 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 spending into large-scale robots and other products slated for launch in the first quarter of next year.” HD Hyundai Robotics’ recurring research and development expenditure stood at 11.9 billion won last year, up 46.9 percent from 8.1 billion won the year before.

However, concerns have emerged that regulations on duplicate listings could hamper the company’s investment capacity. HD Hyundai Robotics had been actively pursuing an initial public offering earlier this year, going as far as seeking an IPO underwriter, but put the 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.