Doosan Robotics Taps Sensor Specialist Aidin Robotics for Dual-Arm Humanoid

Doosan Robotics has announced a partnership with Aidin Robotics, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a dual-arm humanoid platform aimed at achieving "physical artificial intelligence."

The agreement, announced on November 3, formalizes a collaboration that will combine Doosan's established robotic arm and control technologies with Aidin Robotics' specialized expertise in high-precision sensors and grippers.

This move marks a significant step in Doosan's previously declared strategy. The cobot giant, a top-five global supplier, announced its pivot toward developing "practical humanoids" in April 2025. This MOU provides the first clear look at its partnership strategy for sourcing the critical components required for such a machine.

Combining Strength with Sensation

The division of labor outlined in the agreement leverages the core strengths of each company. Doosan Robotics will provide the foundational robotic arms and control systems, while Aidin Robotics will focus on the hands and sensory feedback.

Aidin Robotics, a spin-off from Sungkyunkwan University's Robotics Innovatory Lab, specializes in "physical interaction intelligence." Its key contribution will be advanced six-axis force-torque sensors and hand-gripper units. According to the announcement, these components can perceive the strength, size, and weight of an object in real-time, converting tactile information into data.

This ability to "feel" is essential for the partnership's stated goal: creating a "physical AI model capable of autonomous operations."

In a statement, Doosan Robotics CEO Kim Min-pyo emphasized that "achieving human-level task capability requires not only advanced hardware... but also AI-based software that enables autonomous operation." The data from Aidin's sensors is intended to serve as the input for this AI, allowing the robot to make decisions and perform delicate tasks rather than just following pre-programmed paths.

Part of a Broader National Push

This partnership is the latest in a series of high-profile collaborations within South Korea's robotics sector. It aligns directly with the goals of the K-Humanoid Alliance, a government-backed initiative launched in April 2025 to make the country a global leader in the field. Doosan Robotics is a prominent member of that alliance.

The national strategy emphasizes the domestic development of core components, including the very "tactile sensors" that Aidin Robotics produces.

Doosan's move follows similar alliances from other major Korean corporations:

• LG Electronics is collaborating with KIST to develop its KAPEX humanoid, focusing on its 'Exaone' large-scale AI model.
• CJ Logistics has partnered with Rainbow Robotics to create AI-powered humanoids for warehouse automation.

While Doosan has been actively restructuring and hiring for its new humanoid and AI divisions, this partnership with Aidin Robotics is its most concrete step yet, signaling a clear strategy to build its platform by integrating best-in-class specialized technologies.