KIST's Lee Jong-won Wins Korea Science Award for KAPEX Humanoid Robot
Overview
On November 4, 2026, the Korean government awarded Lee Jong-won of KIST the Korea Science Award for developing the KAPEX humanoid robot with over 90% locally produced core components. A consortium led by LG Electronics now manages production and validation, though trials in hospitals are still planned to verify long-term autonomy.
Generated from attributed reports · Updated 10 hours ago
Event evidence and corrections
0 attributed source owners. Ownership does not establish independent confirmation. Quantities are reported separately and are never added together.
Reported quantity · torque: 300 other · Basis not reported
“其紧凑型执行器可提供高达300牛顿米的扭矩，同时能够安装在人类尺寸的关节内。”
Exact source · revision 2Source owner not reported
Reported quantity · load capacity: 20 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“七自由度腿部结构可精确控制脚趾和脚踝的运动，使机器人在负载超过20公斤时仍能保持平衡行走。”
Exact source · revision 2Source owner not reported
Reported quantity · bonus amount: 10000000 other · Basis not reported
“这项月度荣誉每次表彰一位在此前三年取得原创性成就的研究人员，获奖者将获得副总理表彰状和1000万韩元奖金。”
Exact source · revision 2Source owner not reported
Reported quantity · load capacity: 20 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“它能够用两条腿行走，即使携带超过20公斤的负荷也能保持平衡。”
Exact source · revision 2Source owner not reported
Evidence dependency changes (1)
- 2026-11-09T16:11:55.326Z · evidence updated · source revision 2. Evidence extraction was updated; current source attributions are shown above.
Developments
- 2026-11-04 23:35 UTC · 1 reportsKIST KAPEX humanoid robot with 90% domestic components transferred to LGChinese robotics — Research news discovery：KIST Transfers Humanoid Robot KAPEX to LG; Over 90% of Core Components Are Domestically Produced
- 2026-11-04 01:53 UTC · 1 reportsKAPEX Humanoid Robot Wins Korea Science AwardChinese robotics — Hardware and sensing：KIST's Lee Jong-won Wins Korea Science Award for KAPEX Humanoid Robot
Report timeline
Follow attributed reports and material updates.
- Chinese robotics — Research news discoverySignalKIST Transfers Humanoid Robot KAPEX to LG; Over 90% of Core Components Are Domestically Produced
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) developed KAPEX, a humanoid robot with over 90% domestically produced core components including actuators, joints, sensors, and AI control systems. The robot can walk while carrying more than 20 kg, manipulate objects with tactile feedback to adjust grip force, and uses virtual simulation for locomotion training. Core technology was transferred to LG Electronics in September of the previous year for commercialization, involving LG Electronics, LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution, Robostar, and other partners. Challenges remain in long-term autonomous operation, safety, and endurance before industrial deployment.
- Chinese robotics — Hardware and sensingSignalKIST's Lee Jong-won Wins Korea Science Award for KAPEX Humanoid Robot
On November 4, 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation awarded Lee Jong-won of KIST the Korea Science Award for developing the KAPEX AI humanoid robot using domestically produced core technologies. The award recognizes his contributions to autonomous robotics and industrialization, noting that over 90% of key components are now manufactured locally. A consortium led by LG Electronics has assumed responsibility for production and validation, with trials planned in hospitals and public facilities to assess long-term autonomous operation and commercial viability.
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