Agricultural robots eye construction sites… Daedong Robotics and GS E&C join hands to develop ‘AI field robots’

[Korea Agricultural Technology Newspaper = Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] AI field robot technology for agriculture, originally developed to address labor shortages in rural areas, is expanding its scope to become a key driver of smartization and automation at construction sites. There is growing anticipation over whether agricultural robot technology can serve as an alternative for the construction industry, which has recently been suffering labor shortages due to aging workers and strengthened safety regulations.

Daedong Robotics (co-CEOs Won Yoo-hyun and Kang Sung-chul), the AI robotics affiliate of Daedong Group, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GS E&C on the 5th for joint R&D cooperation in the fields of construction site automation and smart construction technology.

This agreement focuses on applying autonomous driving and spatial recognition technologies accumulated in unstructured rural environments to the construction sector, establishing a cooperation system for AI field robot-based smart construction technology, and proactively pioneering the related market. Going forward, the two companies plan to maintain close cooperation in three areas: △ reviewing the use of existing mass-produced AI field robot products at construction sites △ cooperation in smart construction operations and new technologies △ joint R&D and PoC (proof of concept/technology verification) for robots specialized for construction sites.

Under this agreement, Daedong Robotics will be responsible for robot design optimized for construction sites and for advancing the technology based on its proprietary autonomous robot platform. GS E&C agreed to provide actual construction sites where the technology can be demonstrated, identify on-site requirements, and actively cooperate in technology verification and commercialization. Industry observers believe that, given the nature of construction sites with many uneven surfaces and obstacles, Daedong’s know-how from agricultural AI field robots proven on farmland will be effectively applicable.

In particular, this cooperation is drawing attention from the perspective of a virtuous cycle in lowering costs across the robot industry as a whole. If agricultural robot technology spreads to other industries and a mass-production system is established, manufacturing costs could ultimately fall, opening the way to supply farmers with more affordable agricultural robots. However, considering the strict safety regulations at construction sites, securing demanding safety certifications and control over unexpected on-site variables remains a challenge before commercialization.

CEO Kang Sung-chul emphasized, “Construction sites are places where repetitive work and heavy-load transport are concentrated, making them the optimal stage for expansion where Daedong’s technology and know-how accumulated in agricultural settings can be utilized. By combining GS E&C’s field experience with Daedong’s AI technology, we will create tangible results in the field of construction automation.”