MicheloRobotics is an AI-based physical Robotics corporations that automates surface treatment processes in manufacturing. CEO Park Jang-jun founded the company in Apr. 2022. Park noted that, through experience at various industrial sites in Japan and Korea, manufacturing processes are highly dependent on labor. In particular, he saw a business opportunity in the fact that surface treatment processes such as painting, sanding, and polishing rely heavily on the manual work of skilled workers, leading to persistent labor shortages and productivity declines.
Park said, "Surface treatment has a harsh work environment and a high level of difficulty, so securing workers is becoming increasingly difficult," adding that it is "a process that has no choice but to shift to automation." Currently, most surface treatment processes are performed directly by people. Quality varies depending on the worker's skill level, and productivity is determined by the labor supply.
MicheloRobotics replaced this process with AI. The company's core technologies are "Michelo-Motion," which learns skilled workers' task data and implements it as robot movements, and "Michelo-Vision," which recognizes processes.
Park explained, "We trained on the movements and task data of skilled workers as they are so that robots can perform the same tasks," adding, "We expanded the scope of application to include surface treatment processes that were previously difficult to automate."
This technology can be applied to various robot arms, including industrial articulated robots and collaborative robots. It is also characterized by compatibility with multiple robot systems without being tied to a particular manufacturer. On-site results are also emerging. At one manufacturer, automating a process that previously required four workers per line made it possible to operate with only one manager.
Park said, "After automation, the number of workers per line fell from four to one, while output increased two to three times," adding, "As labor cost savings and productivity improvements are significant, demand for automation is growing rapidly on the shop floor."
The market is also large. The global surface treatment market is estimated at about 80 trillion won. Of this, the market the company can target is about 17 trillion won. That is because it is an essential process in most manufacturing sectors, including automobiles, shipbuilding, and power plants.
Park said, "As processes based on skilled workers are gradually decreasing, demand for automation will continue to increase," adding, "The key point now is whether AI technology is actually applied on site."
The company is also targeting overseas markets. The strategy is to first enter Japan to secure quality competitiveness, then expand into the United States. Park explained, "Japan is a market with high manufacturing quality standards," adding, "We plan to expand into the global market after securing references there."
MicheloRobotics is currently a technology-centered corporations in which more than 80% of its total workforce consists of research and development personnel. Researchers from Seoul National University and people with diverse industrial experience are participating together. The company has developed its technology through government R&D projects and startup support programs, and has also attracted private investment.
Park said, "What matters more than the AI technology itself is how well it works in the field and whether it leads to mass production," adding, "With the timing of the market and technology aligning now, we see this as a growth opportunity." Park added, "We will grow into corporations that change the industrial structure by automating manufacturing sites."
MicheloRobotics recorded about 1.26 billion won in sales last year and is aiming for more than 3 billion won this year.