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, who gained experience across various industrial sites in Japan and Korea, noted the high reliance on labor in manufacturing processes. In particular, he spotted a business opportunity in the fact that surface treatment processes such as painting, sanding, and polishing heavily depend on the manual work of skilled workers, leading to ongoing labor shortages and reduced productivity.
Park said, "Surface treatment has harsh working conditions and high difficulty, so securing workers is getting harder," adding, "it is a process that inevitably must shift to automation." Most surface treatment processes are still performed directly by people. Quality varies with the operator's skill level, and productivity depends on labor supply.
MicheloRobotics replaced this process with AI. The company's core technologies are "Michelo-Motion," which learns skilled workers' task data and renders it as robot movements, and "Michelo-Vision," which recognizes the process.
Park explained, "We trained on skilled workers' movements and task data as is so the robot can perform the same tasks," adding, "we expanded the application scope to surface treatment processes that were difficult to automate before."
This technology can be applied to various robot arms, including industrial articulated robots and collaborative robots. A key feature is compatibility with multiple robot systems without being tied to a specific manufacturer. Results from on-site application are emerging. At one manufacturer, automating a process that required four workers per line enabled operation with just one manager.
Park said, "After automation, staffing per line fell from four to one, while output increased two to three times," adding, "as labor cost savings and productivity gains are significant, demand for automation on the shop floor is rising quickly."
The market is also large. The global surface treatment market is estimated at about 80 trillion won. Of that, the market the company can target is around 17 trillion won. This is because the process is essential across most manufacturing sectors, including autos, shipbuilding, and power plants.
Park said, "Processes based on skilled workers are gradually decreasing, so demand for automation will continue to rise," adding, "the key now is whether AI technology works well in actual field settings."
The company is also aiming overseas. The strategy is to first enter Japan to secure quality competitiveness, then expand to the United States. Park explained, "Japan is a market with high manufacturing quality standards," adding, "we plan to build references there and then expand to the global market."
MicheloRobotics is a technology-centered corporations, with more than 80% of its total workforce in research and development. Researchers from Seoul National University and personnel with diverse industrial experience are participating together. The company has developed its technology through government R&D projects and startup support programs, and it has also attracted private investment.
Park said, "What matters more than AI technology itself is how well it works on the ground and whether it leads to mass production," adding, "with market and technology timing 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 posted about 1.26 billion won in revenue last year and is targeting more than 3 billion won this year.