KIST researcher Lee Jong-won wins Korea Science Award for KAPEX humanoid

Lee developed KAPEX, an AI humanoid built with domestic core technologies. The ministry reports the robot combines domestically developed actuators, skeletal and joint mechanisms, sensors and AI. Its compact actuator delivers up to 300 newton-meters of torque within a human-scale joint, and a seven-degree-of-freedom leg structure enables walking with loads above 20 kilograms. Integrated optimization more than doubled whole-body energy efficiency over the team's earlier system. Fingertips detect contact and applied force for grip adjustment, and the AI combines visual, tactile and spoken input for movement decisions.

Localization exceeds 90% for core components including actuators, hands and sensing devices. KIST transferred major KAPEX technology to LG Electronics in September 2025, forming a consortium that assigns the robot platform to LG Electronics, physical AI to LG AI Research, all-solid-state batteries to LG Energy Solution and mass production to Robostar. Testing continues in living labs simulating kitchens and living rooms, with longer trials planned in hospitals and public facilities. Lee identifies long-duration autonomous judgment, whole-body manipulation, battery life, durability, safety and cost as unresolved requirements.