On the 17th, Kookmin University's 'Robot Functional Skin and Ultra Sensory Research Center,' led by Professor Lim Si-hyung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, successfully held a meeting with participating companies at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square. This research center is part of a large-scale collective research project funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT's Korea Research Foundation, with a total investment of 14 billion won over seven years. The center is collaborating with five universities, including Seoul National University and UNIST, and aims to develop functional skin and ultra-sensory recognition systems that allow robots to perceive various stimuli and carry out missions reliably in extreme conditions across space, marine, and disaster environments.

The existing robot systems have been criticized for their heavy reliance on visual sensors and simplistic functionality, revealing considerable limitations in environmental adaptability and operational stability in real-world scenarios. To overcome these challenges, the ERC research center is focusing on three key areas: the development of a tactile, auditory, and olfactory sensor fusion platform for non-visual perception, the creation of composite functional skin materials that withstand harsh environments, and the development of ultra-precise surface manufacturing processes and equipment. This approach aims to enhance the capabilities of robots beyond previous constraints.

The recent meeting was designed not just to present research outcomes from the past year but also to engage with participating companies about the technical challenges and practical needs faced in the industry. Representatives from 16 participating companies attended the meeting, where they discussed current issues and future directions for the center's research, fostering a collaborative environment that seeks to extend beyond the existing ERC project's scope and encourage continual innovation.