Wow, the movements are incredibly lifelike. On Wednesday morning at Convention & Exhibition Center (COEX) in Seoul’s Gangnam district, visitors were awestruck from the moment they entered the exhibition hall. The opening day of the 2026 Smart Factory & Automation Industry Exhibition (AW 2026) drew massive crowds eager to glimpse the future of manufacturing shaped by Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and humanoid robots.
This year’s exhibition, running through Friday, is the largest ever, featuring 500 companies from 24 countries. The theme, Autonomy: Driving Sustainability, highlights Physical AI, which merges generative and industrial AI with robots, equipment, and production lines.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Atlas and MobED Create a Sensation, Affirming Korea’s Robotics Prowess
The undisputed star of the show is the humanoid robot Atlas from Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary. Visitors lined up for dozens of yards at the Hyundai Glovis booth, vying for selfies with Atlas. This marks the first public display in Korea of the actual Atlas model, which captivated global audiences at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 earlier this year.
Although stationary, Atlas’s design, which perfectly mimics human skeletal structure, commanded an imposing presence.
Hyundai Glovis wowed attendees with its end-to-end automation system powered by Physical AI, integrating logistics automation and equipment control. This system streamlines operations by unifying data on inbound and outbound logistics, sorting, and transportation.
Lee Kyu-bok, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hyundai Glovis, told reporters on-site that it anticipates significant demand for automation in the final logistics phase of manufacturing. Companies involved in knockdown exports are showing particular interest. He expects this technology to gain traction among manufacturers.
MobED Conquers Hills, Robots Parade in Formation: A New Era of Movement
Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab also turned heads with its cutting-edge mobile platform, MobED. Living up to its CES 2026 Best Innovation Award, MobED effortlessly navigated complex terrain and hills. Spectators were mesmerized by the robot’s wheels independently adjusting to varying ground heights.
MobED bridges the gap between wheeled and legged robots, addressing previous limitations in battery life and payload capacity. It boasts up to four hours of operation on a single charge and can carry between 47 and 57 kg (about 104 and 126 lbs), depending on the model.
Hyun Dong-jin, a senior executive at Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab, explained that MobED’s superior ground adaptability, payload capacity, and energy efficiency make it ideal for automation across diverse terrains.
Hyundai Movex showcased its autonomous logistics solution. The demonstration area featured multiple autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) performing a synchronized group parade. Unlike their predecessors, which moved slowly along fixed paths, these new robots displayed agile movements, rotating freely and merging seamlessly.
Tirobotics unveiled its proprietary industrial humanoid for the first time. The robot’s five fingers moved with human-like precision, hinting at potential applications in delicate tasks such as component assembly.
Chinese Humanoids Dance and Kick, Flexing Technological Muscle
Chinese firms made a strong showing as well. A dedicated exhibition area, tied to the China Humanoid Robot Conference, featured robots from leading Chinese companies including Agibot, Unitree, and Reju.
Unitree’s humanoid G1 was particularly impressive, executing dances and powerful kicks while maintaining perfect balance, earning enthusiastic applause. However, the demonstration wasn’t without hiccups – one robot’s arm unexpectedly detached during the performance.
Chinese firm Mech-Mind Robotics set up a convenience store-style booth to demonstrate autonomous shelf-picking by embodied intelligent robots. When a middle-aged man ordered snacks or drinks via tablet, the robot turned, retrieved the items, and delivered them. He remarked that the movements are a bit slow, but it’s amazing how it brings exactly what it wants.
The second-floor AI Factory Special Hall showcased an operational model integrating vision AI, digital twins, and data-driven process control. Throughout the exhibition, visitors witnessed repeated demonstrations of robots, equipment, and AI software working in harmony.
One attendee observed that it’s remarkable to see robots autonomously tackling complex logistics and precision assembly challenges that once plagued actual manufacturing processes. The competition now isn’t about whether to adopt robots, but who can secure the most advanced Physical AI first.
