Seoul Robotics Teams Up With UAE's ATRC For Autonomous Driving R&D

SEOUL, South Korea, witnessed a significant step towards fostering international collaboration in the field of industrial autonomous driving. Seoul Robotics, a prominent player in this sector, recently held discussions with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to explore joint research and development (R&D) opportunities. This meeting, which took place on February 28 at Seoul Robotics' headquarters, brought together key figures from both organizations, including Hyejun Moon, CSO of Seoul Robotics, and William Lay, Executive Director of ATRC, among others.

The dialogue centered around the potential for collaboration in R&D, particularly focusing on autonomous robotics. A highlight of the discussion was Seoul Robotics' proprietary industrial autonomous driving software, the Level 5 Control Tower (LV5 software), known for its application in automotive logistics. This software enables vehicles without autonomous capabilities to operate as if they were autonomous, a feature that has attracted interest for its application within the Middle Eastern market.

Seoul Robotics has already made strides in implementing this technology with several Asian automotive manufacturers and is progressing through the pre-validation phase. The company's engagement with ATRC underscores its position as a competitive force in the industrial autonomous driving sector and opens up discussions on potential investment opportunities ahead of its planned pre-IPO round.

Established in 2020, ATRC aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for research and development. With strategic priorities across various sectors including aerospace, food and agriculture, healthcare, and more, ATRC seeks to attract top talent worldwide. This visit to South Korea marks the beginning of ATRC's global collaboration efforts for the year, with Seoul Robotics being the standout startup among 13 organizations visited by the Council.

Since its inception in 2017, Seoul Robotics has carved out a significant niche in the industrial autonomous driving software market. Serving major global automotive OEMs, the company reported impressive financials last year with revenues of 3 billion KRW and a gross profit margin of 55%, with a substantial portion of its sales generated from the global market. Looking ahead, Seoul Robotics is preparing for a pre-IPO round this year with aspirations to list on the KOSDAQ by 2025. This move is aimed at attracting top talent and bolstering its competitive edge through dedicated R&D efforts.

The discussions between Seoul Robotics and ATRC not only highlight the growing interest in industrial autonomous driving technologies but also signify the potential for international partnerships to advance innovation in this field. As both organizations continue to explore avenues for collaboration, this meeting could mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership that leverages each party's strengths for mutual progress and prosperity.