logo
Doosan Robotics invests $25.9m to acquire US automation firm ONExia

Doosan Robotics invests $25.9m to acquire US automation firm ONExia

Korea Herald3 days ago
Korea's leading collaborative robotics manufacturer, Doosan Robotics, announced Monday that it will acquire ONExia, a US-based robotics engineering and advanced automation solutions provider, as part of its strategic push into artificial intelligence-driven robotics.
On the same day, Doosan Robotics' board of directors approved a $25.9 million investment to acquire an 89.59 percent stake in the Pennsylvania-based firm.
'This merger and acquisition is expected to generate meaningful synergies by leveraging ONExia's leadership in US robotics solutions, securing a strategic foothold for local market expansion and internalizing data-driven artificial intelligence technologies,' said Kim Min-pyo, CEO of Doosan Robotics.
Since its founding in 1984, ONExia has been engaged in the design, manufacturing and distribution of advanced automation systems across industries such as manufacturing, logistics and packaging.
The company has developed strong capabilities in automation engineering, custom robot system development and integration, while continuously enhancing its expertise in combining software and hardware technologies, Doosan Robotics said.
The acquisition is part of Doosan Robotics' broader initiative to accelerate its transition from a hardware-centric company to a leader in AI and software-driven intelligent robotics.
To bolster its competitiveness in robotics software, Doosan is expanding its research and development efforts, particularly in AI and humanoid technologies. The company is also reorganizing its R&D structure to focus more heavily on software innovation.
'To become a next-generation intelligent robotics solution provider in the era of physical AI, we will continue to restructure our organization, enhance our R&D environment and pursue strategic mergers and acquisitions backed by bold investments,' Kim added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lee calls for building next-generation power grid with focus on renewable energy
Lee calls for building next-generation power grid with focus on renewable energy

Korea Herald

time4 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

Lee calls for building next-generation power grid with focus on renewable energy

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called for establishing a next-generation power grid as he underscored the importance of shifting the country's power supply infrastructure to one that centers on renewable energy. "Energy transition has become an essential task," Lee said as he presided over a meeting of senior presidential aides. "On top of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, the supply of renewable energy through power grid improvement has become very urgent." Lee instructed the government to draw up measures to establish a next-generation power grid that lowers the inefficiency of long-distance power transmissions and makes use of cutting-edge AI technology. The presidential office said the government will turn South Jeolla Province into a hub for such a plan, noting the region's potential for supplying renewable energy. Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said in a press briefing that the government plans to establish industrial complexes for renewable energy micro grids by using steel and petrochemical industrial complexes in the region. The government will allocate about 200 billion won (US$143 million) next year for a pilot project to establish a next-generation power grid by building microgrids in the region's university, airport and military units, and connecting them, according to Kim. The presidential official said Lee aims to nurture the country's energy industry into one akin to the chip industry, and eventually seek to export electricity technology and products. (Yonhap)

After tariff deal reprieve, Samsung braces for new trade rules
After tariff deal reprieve, Samsung braces for new trade rules

Korea Herald

time5 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

After tariff deal reprieve, Samsung braces for new trade rules

Chip earnings slump to 6-quarter low, but recovery expected on AI, Tesla orders Samsung Electronics said Thursday it is closely monitoring the upcoming decision by the US Department of Commerce regarding semiconductor-related trade regulations, despite an easing in uncertainty following tariff negotiations between South Korea and the US on the same day. During a conference call following its second-quarter earnings announcement, the tech giant said the decision expected in mid-August pertains to the Section 232 investigation under the US Trade Expansion Act, which covers semiconductor and finished products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and monitors. 'We are keeping a close watch on the outcome of the Section 232 investigation, as it may have implications beyond chips,' a Samsung Electronics official said. 'We have been actively presenting our views throughout the investigation process and have maintained close communication with relevant authorities in both countries.' Samsung said it is preparing a multi-layered response strategy to minimize business risks and seize potential opportunities, depending on the outcome of bilateral discussions between Seoul and Washington. Meanwhile, Samsung highlighted a recent $16.5 billion order secured from Tesla as a 'milestone' that demonstrates the competitiveness of the company's advanced process technologies. It said the deal is expected to pave the way for additional orders from other major clients, contributing to stable operations at its US-based Taylor plant. Samsung has been pushing ahead with the construction of a new chip fabrication plant in Taylor, Texas, with the goal of fulfilling high-value chip contracts from diverse US clients. The plant is slated to begin full-scale operations next year. For 2025, the company said investment in the Taylor facility will remain within this year's capex range but will increase next year. The company also announced that it has completed approval for transitioning its 1c DRAM using a 10-nanometer process to pilot mass production. Based on this, it has finalized the development of its sixth-generation HBM chips, known as HBM4, and has begun shipping samples to major clients. 'Our HBM4 applies advanced logic processes to the base die and features an optimized design, resulting in improvements in performance and energy efficiency compared to the previous generation, HBM3E,' a Samsung Electronics official said. 'We plan to ramp up timely supply in line with the full-scale demand for HBM4 expected next year.' Earlier in the day, Samsung announced its preliminary earnings for the second quarter, reporting an operating profit of 4.68 trillion won ($3.36 billion), down 55.2 percent from a year earlier. Net income fell 48 percent to 5.12 trillion won, while sales rose slightly by 0.67 percent to 74.6 trillion won. These figures fell short of market expectations. According to financial data provider FnGuide, consensus estimates had forecast 6.18 trillion won in operating profit and 76.2 trillion won in sales. Samsung's Device Solutions division, which oversees the semiconductor business, posted 27.9 trillion won in sales and 400 billion won in operating profit — its lowest since a 2 trillion won loss in the fourth quarter in 2023. Despite growth in high-value memory and foundry sales, profitability was impacted by inventory-related charges and US sanctions affecting the non-memory business. The Device eXperience division, which handles mobile and consumer electronics, recorded 43.6 trillion won in revenue and 3.3 trillion won in operating profit. The decline was attributed to reduced Galaxy S25 smartphone sales and intensified competition in the TV market, resulting in a 16 percent drop in revenue and a 1.4 trillion won fall in profit compared to a year ago. Looking ahead, Samsung forecasts a gradual rebound in the third quarter as one-off costs subside, although lingering tariff uncertainties and global economic slowdowns may pose challenges. 'While global trade uncertainties and geopolitical risks raise concerns about slower growth, we expect momentum in the artificial intelligence and robotics industries to gradually drive recovery in the IT sector,' a Samsung Electronics official said.

What will be discussed in the first Lee-Trump summit?
What will be discussed in the first Lee-Trump summit?

Korea Herald

time7 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

What will be discussed in the first Lee-Trump summit?

US President Donald Trump on Thursday mentioned that his first summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung would take place 'within the next two weeks' in Washington. The remark, via Truth Social, was included in Trump's announcement that Washington and Seoul reached a trade deal in which the US will impose 15 percent tariffs on South Korea. If the summit between Trump and Lee takes place in the timeframe the US president mentioned, the two leaders would likely discuss the follow-up of the trade deal. Trump, for instance, mentioned that 'South Korea has agreed to invest a large sum of money for their Investment purposes' and that the figure would be announced when Lee visits the White House. Another topic is likely to be a potential change in the role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea amid Washington's shifting security priorities. Seoul officials have repeatedly said that they have yet to hold any discussions on the possibility of withdrawing or downsizing USFK. The Trump administration has also been increasing pressure on Seoul to shoulder more defense costs in maintaining USFK on the peninsula. In response, Seoul officials reiterated the need to uphold the latest South Korea-US defense cost-sharing deal for the 2026-2030 period, signed during the previous Joe Biden administration. Seoul is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.1 billion) next year for the stationing of USFK here, under the 12th Special Measures Agreement signed with Washington. The figure is up 1.4 trillion won this year. When asked about the summit mentioned by Trump, Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom told reporters that details of the potential meeting would be arranged through diplomatic channels. Seoul's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday. Though Lee envisioned his first in-person meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit held in Canada last month, it failed to take place as Trump abruptly returned to Washington due to the conflict between Israel and Iran.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store