NC AI, Posco DX join hands in robot AI model development

NC AI and Posco DX announced a strategic business agreement on Sunday to collaborate on developing a general-purpose robot AI foundation model. The partnership, signed by Kim Min-jae, chief technology officer at NC AI, and Yoon Suk-june, head of the robot automation center at Posco DX, includes long-term cooperation to strengthen competitiveness in robot intelligence and industrial AI. The agreement centers on technical research for a robot AI model capable of serving as a universal 'brain' for various robotic applications. Key focus areas include joint research on robot foundation models, optimization of vision-language-action (VLA) models, and the creation of digital twin-based simulation environments. These efforts aim to validate AI models virtually, improving robots' situational awareness and autonomous decision-making capabilities. NC AI, the AI subsidiary of NCSoft, will concentrate on optimizing the VLA model and establishing a digital twin environment. Posco DX, the IT arm of the Posco Group, will provide test environments, technology validation, and operational support, leveraging its expertise in automation and robotics engineering. The partnership is designed to foster next-generation intelligent industrial technologies through a digital twin-centered testing system. By validating AI models in virtual settings, the collaboration seeks to maximize robotic efficiency and adaptability across diverse industrial fields. Kim Min-jae emphasized the rapid growth of general-purpose robotic technologies as future AI applications, stating that the partnership with Posco DX will lead the general-purpose physical AI ecosystem. Yoon Suk-june added that continuous collaboration with NC AI will strengthen automation technologies and internalize key solutions in robot control and operation.