Riibotics Leads Government-Funded Autonomous Material Handling Robot Development
Riibotics Autonomous Forklift Robot Control Demonstration
Riibotics (formerly TIM Robotics), a South Korean robotics startup specializing in autonomous forklift technology, has secured a significant 1.6 billion won ($1.2 million) government contract to develop autonomous material handling robot systems for construction environments. The company is partnering with Soosung Webtoon, a KOSDAQ-listed material handling equipment manufacturer, in this strategic collaboration that positions Riibotics as the lead technology developer.
The project, funded through Korea's SME technology innovation development program, represents a major milestone for Riibotics, which has built its foundation on advanced autonomous driving technology specifically designed for challenging industrial environments.
Riibotics: The Technical Powerhouse
Riibotics distinguishes itself in Korea's competitive robotics landscape through its specialized focus on autonomous forklift solutions for 'brownfield' environments—existing facilities not originally designed for autonomous systems. The company's research institute comprises master's and doctoral-level researchers from Seoul National University and KAIST, institutions that have demonstrated consistent excellence in robotics research and development.
This academic foundation is particularly significant given the technical complexity of the project. Unlike controlled warehouse environments where most autonomous systems operate, construction sites present unpredictable challenges including moving obstacles, changing terrain, and complex human-robot interactions. Riibotics has developed what it describes as 'multi-modal sensor-based autonomous navigation technology and environmental perception-based autonomous material handling technology' specifically to address these demanding conditions.
Strategic Partnership Structure
In this collaboration, Riibotics serves as the primary technology developer while Soosung Webtoon provides manufacturing expertise and infrastructure. Soosung Webtoon brings four decades of experience in material handling equipment manufacturing and has developed more than 20 types of material handling equipment and various specialized AMR (autonomous mobile robot) platforms.
The partnership structure leverages each company's core strengths: Riibotics' cutting-edge autonomous navigation algorithms and Soosung Webtoon's proven manufacturing capabilities and market presence. This division of responsibilities allows Riibotics to focus on its technological expertise while benefiting from an established partner's industrial experience and market access.
Technical Development Focus
The government-funded project aims to develop several core technological capabilities that could provide competitive advantages in the construction automation market. Riibotics is leading the development of autonomous navigation systems capable of reliable operation in unstructured environments, dynamic obstacle detection with real-time mapping capabilities, and integrated fleet management systems for coordinating multiple robots.
The technical challenges involved are substantial. Construction sites require systems capable of adapting to constantly changing conditions while maintaining safety standards that meet or exceed human operator performance. Riibotics' approach involves sophisticated sensor fusion techniques and advanced AI algorithms designed specifically for these complex operational environments.
Market Positioning and Competitive Landscape
Riibotics' specialization in construction applications positions it uniquely in the broader autonomous vehicle industry, where companies pursuing multiple use cases simultaneously have often struggled to achieve profitability. The company's focus on brownfield environments specifically addresses a market gap, as most autonomous systems have been designed for new, purpose-built facilities rather than existing operational sites.
The brownfield sector faces significant labor shortages and safety concerns, making it an attractive target for automation solutions. Riibotics' technology could address critical industry needs while establishing the company as a leader in a specialized but growing market segment.
Global Expansion Strategy
Following completion of the domestic project, Riibotics and its partner plan to pursue international expansion targeting North America, Europe, and Japan. This global focus reflects the universal nature of brownfield sector challenges and the potential for successful automation solutions to scale across different regulatory environments.
The international expansion strategy suggests that Riibotics views this government-funded project as both a proving ground for its technology and a foundation for broader market entry. The company's partnership with Soosung Webtoon provides crucial manufacturing capabilities that will be essential for scaling operations internationally.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
The success of this project could position Riibotics as a key player in the emerging autonomous material handling equipment market. The company's specialized approach, combined with strong engineering foundations and strategic partnerships, provides a solid foundation for growth in a market where technical expertise and reliability are paramount.
As the project progresses, Riibotics faces the challenge of proving that its algorithms can handle the unpredictable realities of construction sites while maintaining the safety and efficiency standards required for commercial deployment. Success in this endeavor could establish the company as a leader in specialized autonomous robotics and provide a platform for expanded market presence both domestically and internationally.
The partnership represents a new model for Korean robotics development, combining specialized startup innovation with established manufacturing expertise to tackle complex industrial challenges.
Media Contact
Company Name: Riibotics
Contact Person: Andrew Jackson
Email: Send Email
City: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://www.riibotics.io/
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Riibotics Leads Government-Funded Autonomous Material Handling Robot Development
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
I measured the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Honor Magic V5 to see which is the world's thinnest foldable
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched, there were plenty of changes to admire in the company's vastly upgraded device and one of the best foldable phones. But it's arrival also changed something else — people's perception of a rival foldable that had been claiming to be the thinnest of the two. Earlier in July, the Honor Magic V5 launched, proclaiming that it was the world's thinnest foldable phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 then launched later in the month, officially measuring slightly thicker and thus allowing Honor to keep the title. But then, users like tech leaker Ice Universe got their hands on both phones and started measuring. And they found different numbers to the published ones, numbers that seemed to prove the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is actually the thinner phone. With Honor trying to reassert its claim, and Samsung happily accepting that it's accidentally made the world's thinnest foldable phone, it's hard to know what to believe. So in the interest of trying to settle the matter, I've spoken to both Honor and Samsung, and taken my own measurements with my own samples of the two phones in question. A measured response As a baseline, let's look at the official claims for the thickness of these two phones when folded. The unfolded measurements are not under dispute here, and are arguably less important anyway since you won't be carrying a foldable around while unfolded the vast majority of the time. Also note that these measurements revolve around specifically the Ivory White Magic V5. The other colors of the Magic V5 are thicker due to slightly different back panel designs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Honor Magic V5 (White) Official thickness when folded 8.9mm 8.8mm Ice Universe's measurements 8.79mm 8.95mm Compare those to Ice Universe's measurements in the same table: the Magic V5 is 0.15mm thicker according to his calipers, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 0.11mm thinner than claimed. Obviously, something is amiss here, and Honor was quick to respond with possible explanations. As part of its statement to me and other tech outlets, Honor noted that even mass-produced products like smartphones can have small manufacturing variances. But this isn't a unique problem to Honor, and could even work in its favor as well as against it. So let's instead focus on the two other reasons why the official numbers and Ice Universe's may not match. The first is that Honor's official measurements come from a Magic V5 device with no screen protector. The Magic V5, like all of Honor's phones, ships with a pre-applied plastic film on its outer screen. This courtesy puts Honor at a thickness disadvantage compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which has no pre-applied protector. It's hard to see in IU's images if the Magic V5 has a screen protector on or not, but I made sure to take the film off of my device before measuring. The second issue is the precise way in which Honor took its measurement. In documentation I've seen, the recommended measurement method involves placing the calipers over the phone from the hinged side to cover the Honor logo, and with 'appropriate thumb pressure' on the bottom jaw. I don't know if there's some secret advantage gained by measuring at this point, but having a nice flat canvas for the calipers to grip is certainly helpful. What's more confusing is how the images Honor has published of its lab testing do not show this method being used. So with those facts in mind, I got measuring. I'll state up front that my calipers, while from the reputable brand iFixit, are perhaps not as accurate as more expensive models, such as the ones phone companies like Honor use for their official specs measurements. Nonetheless, from other measurements I've made with these calipers, I am confident that they are at least 99% accurate, and are at the very least capable of showing a size difference between our two foldables. In the thick of it I measured the two phones with the method given by Honor — it's only fair, after all. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn't have a logo on the back to help judge its midpoint, but I made the best approximation I could, given its similar height and width to the Magic V5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Honor Magic V5 TG's measurement of thickness when folded 8.88mm 9.3mm My numbers are 0.08mm off the official figures for Samsung, and 0.5mm off for the Honor, making the Galaxy Z Fold 7 the thinner phone. I don't know what "appropriate thumb pressure" means precisely in Honor's statement, but it's an important detail. Putting pressure on the calipers allows you to get a smaller measurement as the object you're measuring flexes slightly, which applies all the more with foldable phones as there are two halves of the phone, plus the hinge, that can be squeezed tighter. Honor's official images of its size test don't appear to show the calipers under strain, with them only being held by one hand from the bottom of the ruler section. But given that calipers can be locked into place with the small screw on top of the display, we can't know for certain if there was any squeezing or not pre-photo. Annoyingly, I don't have any method of measuring or double-checking how much force I placed on the calipers to get the following measurements. The best I can do is describe the amount of force I applied, which I would call a press firm enough to leave a clean fingerprint in a thin piece of putty, or push open a door with just one thumb. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Honor Magic V5 TG's measurement of thickness when folded (with pressure) 8.6mm 8.78mm Here, we finally hit Honor's promised 8.8mm figure, with a final last-minute measurement in fact going past the promised figure (though sadly off-camera). But any celebrations that Honor may now be planning will be cut short, as doing the same on the Samsung makes it sleeker yet again, a whole 0.3mm thinner than the official specs and 0.18mm thinner than the Magic V5. As we discussed before, these results could be due purely to the construction of the Magic V5 unit I had, but I suspect if it's happened to both my and Ice Universe's devices, it'll happen to many others. Before putting the phones away, I contacted Samsung, both to ask for its stance on the situation and for its official measuring standards for its devices, so we might compare the two foldables' size on its terms too. The company declined to comment. Splitting hairs Despite the apparently conclusive evidence that the Magic V5 is not actually the thinnest book-style folding phone around, Honor seems to be sticking to its guns, and its official measurements. But now that I've seen the proof for myself that this claim is either inaccurate or comes with big caveats, I don't know why Honor's trying to power through like this. A device's thinness is an impressive and easy-to-grasp number, so I get why companies of all kinds like to talk about it in their marketing. But we are talking about the difference of about 40 micrometers - literally a couple hairs' thickness. There is so much more that Honor could sell the Magic V5 to people with beyond thinness. For instance, the V5's higher-res 50MP main and ultrawide cameras, its 64MP 3x telephoto camera, its huge 5,580 mAh battery or the faster 66W wired and 50W wireless charging standards. And if we're talking about deal breakers, the fact Honor doesn't sell in countries like the U.S. is going to be much more of a problem than its possibly imprecise measurements. As the global launch of the Magic V5 approaches, and we get closer to being able to fully review the phone, my anticipation isn't diminished by seeing it's slightly larger than the equivalent Samsung. As long as Honor doesn't make any other uncertain claims about the Magic V5's capabilities, it still stands a chance of making one of the best foldable phones around, and in ways that a rival phone maker can't just replicate or better immediately after. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide I tested Call Screening on iOS 26 vs Android 16 — and there's a clear winner Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold — what we know so far I recently got hacked — here's 5 hidden Apple security features I wish I'd known about
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump news at a glance: president on tariff blitz ahead of August deadline
Donald Trump's administration has imposed sanctions against the judge overseeing the prosecution of his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro and hit Brazil with huge tariffs amid accusations from the country's president that Trump has launched 'a direct attack on Brazilian democracy'. The US president has partly attributed his 50% tariff to his outrage at the supposed political 'witch-hunt' against Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president, who is on trial over an alleged coup attempt after the 2022 election. Amid a blitz of tariff announcements, Trump also hit India with a 25% levy and an extra 'penalty' because it buys arms and energy from Russia, while imposing a 15% rate on South Korea as part of a trade deal that avoids even higher levies. Domestically, experts say they have 'enormous concerns' with a Trump administration initiative for millions of Americans to upload personal health data and medical records on new apps and systems run by private tech companies. Here are the key stories. Trump accused of attack on Brazil's democracy over Bolsonaro judge sanctions Allies of Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have accused Donald Trump of launching 'a direct attack on Brazilian democracy' after the US treasury slapped sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the supreme court judge widely credited with helping save Brazilian democracy from a 2022 rightwing coup. The controversial US move was announced on Wednesday by the secretary of the treasury, Scott Bessent, shortly before Trump followed through on a threat to hit Brazilian imports with 50% tariffs by signing an executive order 'to deal with the recent policies, practices and actions by the government of Brazil'. Read the full story Brazilian president hits back as US tariffs threaten trade showdown Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has said he does not fear getting on the wrong side of Donald Trump as South America's largest economy braces for the introduction of 50% tariffs. Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order confirming the US would impose the rate on Brazil from next week. Read the full story Divided Fed holds interest rates in face of Trump pressure The US Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday despite intense pressure from Trump to lower rates. Amid an onslaught of attacks from the White House against the Fed, officials at the central bank said economic 'uncertainty' remained too high to lower rates. Read the full story US to impose 15% tariffs on South Korea as part of trade deal, Trump says The president has said the US will charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea as part of an agreement with the key Asian trading partner and ally that avoids even higher levies. The arrangement – announced shortly after Trump met with Korean officials at the White House – came during a blizzard of trade policy announcements ahead of a self-imposed 1 August deadline, when the president has promised higher tariffs will kick in on US imports from a range of countries. Read the full story Trump administration launching health tracking system with big tech's help The US government is pushing an initiative for millions of Americans to upload personal health data and medical records on new apps and systems run by private tech companies, promising easier to access health records and wellness monitoring. 'There are enormous ethical and legal concerns,' said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor who specialises in public health. 'Patients across America should be very worried that their medical records are going to be used in ways that harm them and their families.' Read the full story Ex-CIA agent hits out at Gabbard for going after Obama A former CIA officer who helped lead the intelligence assessments over alleged Russia interference in the 2016 presidential election has said Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, is ignorant of the practices of espionage after she accused Barack Obama and his national security team of 'treasonous conspiracy' against Donald Trump. Read the full story Kamala Harris won't run for California governor Donald Trump's former rival for the presidency, Kamala Harris, has announced she is not running for California governor, as had been widely expected. The former vice-president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee announced on Wednesday that she would not run, in a decision that leaves the contest to lead the country's largest blue state wide open. Read the full story Trump backs Israel and rebukes Starmer over Palestinian state recognition Donald Trump has doubled down on his backing for Israel after having appeared to give a green light to the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, to recognise a Palestinian state. Amid signs of mounting opposition among his Maga base to Israel's military operation in Gaza, Trump criticized Starmer's plan to grant recognition as 'rewarding Hamas', even after having not taken issue with it when the pair met in Scotland this week. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, later announced his country also planned to formally recognise Palestine in September. Read the full story US placed on rights watch list under Trump A group of global civil society organisations has placed the US on a watchlist for urgent concern over the health of its civic society, alongside Turkey, Serbia, El Salvador, Indonesia and Kenya. Read the full story What else happened today: The US is that allowed low-value commercial shipments to be shipped into the country without facing tariffs, the White House said. Under Trump's order, parcels valued at or under $800 sent outside of the international postal network will face 'all applicable duties'. Republicans have that would allow the party to pick up as many as five additional congressional seats, an aggressive manoeuvre that has already met decisive outcry from Democrats and comes as the GOP tries to stave off losses in next year's midterm elections. congressman Greg Stanton says the US government violated federal law when it refused to allow him to visit a local restaurant owner held in an immigration detention facility last week. Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has said the country is demanding the repatriation of at least 30 of its citizens currently being held in the controversial Florida immigration detention centre known as 'Alligator Alcatraz'. Catching up? Here's what happened 29 July 2025.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump announces new ‘reciprocal' tariff rates
President Trump announced tariff rates for dozens of countries Thursday that will take effect Aug. 7, potentially upending the global trade system. Trump signed an executive order that modified tariff rates for dozens of countries after he had twice delayed plans to implement 'reciprocal' tariffs on other nations. Tariff rates range from as high as 41 percent on goods from Syria to as low as 10 percent, the baseline established for all imports. 'Some trading partners have agreed to, or are on the verge of agreeing to, meaningful trade and security commitments with the United States, thus signaling their sincere intentions to permanently remedy the trade barriers … and to align with the United States on economic and national security matters,' the executive order stated. 'Other trading partners, despite having engaged in negotiations, have offered terms that, in my judgment, do not sufficiently address imbalances in our trading relationship or have failed to align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national-security matters,' it continues. The executive order states that all imports will face a 10 percent tariff. The order goes into effect Aug. 7. Some nations have negotiated separate trade agreements to lock in tariff rates. For example, Indonesia and Thailand agreed to a 19 percent tariff, South Korea and Japan negotiated deals that included a 15 percent tariff and the United Kingdom struck a deal for a 10 percent tariff. Certain other nations that have not negotiated deals will face higher rates. Trump announced he was hitting Brazil with a 50 percent tariff, in part citing the country's prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro over his efforts to remain in power after losing an election. Trump has also announced Canada will face a 35 percent tariff, citing frustrations with the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Other tariff rates established in Thursday's executive order include Laos (40 percent), Switzerland (39 percent), Iraq (35 percent), South Africa (30 percent), India (25 percent), Algeria (30 percent), Moldova (25 percent) and Nicaragua (18 percent). Many other countries are facing a 15 percent tariff. The timing and severity of tariffs on other nations have been shifting targets since Trump took office, after vowing on the campaign trail to aggressively impose duties on imports. He has reportedly threatened tariffs on other nations, only to back off or delay their imposition. The president announced 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of other countries April 2. But a week later, he lowered those rates to 10 percent for 90 days as markets reacted negatively, giving time for negotiations. The 90-day window was set to expire in early July, only for Trump to extend the deadline to Aug. 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
