MABE Case Study: Service Robotics in South Korea: Challenges and Global Comparison

ABSTRACT

South Korea is a global leader in automation and robotics, particularly in service robots, which are revolutionizing industries such as hospitality, healthcare, retail, and logistics. The country’s service robot market is rapidly expanding, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and IoT. The South Korean government has aggressively invested in robotics, aiming to expand the market to 20 trillion won (approximately $2.26 billion) to address labor shortages and enhance service efficiency (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, 2023). Despite these advancements, challenges such as high costs, workforce adaptation, and social acceptance remain critical barriers to widespread adoption. This report explores the opportunities and limitations of service robots, benchmarking South Korea against China, the USA, Japan, Germany, and the EU in the global robotics landscape.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the key features and benefits of service robots, including their impact on operational efficiency, customer experience, and labor reduction.

•  Analyze the challenges and limitations of service robot adoption, such as cost barriers, workforce displacement, and public acceptance.

• Evaluate the role of service robots in addressing labor shortages, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery, contactless services, and automation trends.

• Analyze global comparisons and the competitive landscape by comparing South Korea’s robotics sector with leading countries (China, USA, Japan, Germany, and the EU).

• Explore future trends and innovations in service robotics, with a focus on AI-driven advancements, IoT integration, and emerging business applications.

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