Adine Robotics raises $12M from HD Hyundai and Samsung to build robot hands
What's the deal? Adine Robotics, a South Korean robot sensory intelligence startup, has closed a 16 billion KRW (about $12 million) strategic round from HD Hyundai RoboticsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Samsung Venture Investment. It will use the money to accelerate robotics automation for shipbuilding and heavy industry, plus a five-fingered robot hand for humanoids.
What does the company do? Adine develops its own force-torque and tactile sensors that detect the force a robot applies when it touches an object. It also supplies control software and surface-processing automation solutions built on that sensor data.
Why these investors matter: HD Hyundai RoboticsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → joins as a strategic partner to co-develop surface-treatment automation for shipyards, targeting hull plates and welded block joints. The pair plan to validate the technology at domestic shipyards before expanding to overseas markets, including US shipbuilding.
What's the endgame? The two companies will also jointly develop a heavy-duty, five-fingered robot hand for a humanoid HD Hyundai Robotics is building. Adine plans to funnel the funding into mass-production facilities, quality-verification systems, and R&D hires, aiming for an annual capacity of 30,000 units.
The backstory: Adine's 2024 Series B drew Samsung Next, POSCO Technology InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, CJ LogisticsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Korea Investment PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and GS VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. It was also selected for Samsung Electronics'Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → external startup program, C-Lab Outside, last year.
The signal: "If a robot cannot recognise and control force and contact on its own, humanoids will struggle to move beyond demonstrations and into the field," said chief executive officer Lee Yoon-haeng (translated from Korean). The round ties a sensor specialist to a major shipbuilder as capacitive force-torque sensors — favoured for their small size and lower cost — become central to humanoids and collaborative robots.
Read more: edaily.co.kr
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
