WIRobotics Completes New Funding Round to Propel Humanoid Robotics Advancements
WIRobotics Achieves Major Funding Milestone
In an impressive stride towards the future of humanoid robotics, WIRobotics, co-led by Yeonbaek Lee and Yongjae Kim, has successfully finalized a KRW 95 billion (around USD 68 million) Series B funding round. This significant investment marks a pivotal moment, arriving two years after their previous Series A financing, which raised KRW 13 billion in March 2024. Such a compelling backing emblematically showcases the increasing confidence in WIRobotics' innovative technologies designed for the next generation of robotics and their potential for commercialization.
Led by JB Investment, this funding round saw participation from several notable firms, including InterVest, Hana Ventures, Smilegate Investment, SBVA, NH Investment Securities, Company K Partners, GU Investment, and FuturePlay. This diversified investment support solidifies WIRobotics’ strategic positioning within a competitive market as they gear up to revolutionize human-robot interaction.
Advancements in Humanoid Robotics
WIRobotics is diligently working on the ALLEX humanoid platform, which is tailored to enhance human movement understanding. Recently, the company has earned a spot in NVIDIA's esteemed global robotics and AI initiative, the Physical AI Fellowship. This achievement speaks volumes about its technological prowess and future prospects in the global stage. The company has earmarked humanoid robotics as a key pathway for growth and is committed to innovating technologies that will enable machines to interact and manipulate objects similarly to humans.
Beyond basic humanoid capabilities, WIRobotics is collaborating with tech giants like AWS and NVIDIA to pioneer advanced Physical AI technologies. These partnerships also extend to facilitated research with leading domestic and international institutions, cementing WIRobotics’ position as an innovator within the realm of robotics.
A Proven Track Record
WIRobotics' development efforts benefit from extensive data collected over years of real-world deployment of their WIM wearable walking-assist robot. By amassing user movement data, the company is pioneering assistive technologies tailored to optimize individual mobility and physical conditions.
As they head into their third year of commercialization, WIM has exceeded 3,000 cumulative unit sales, making significant inroads into international markets, including Europe, China, Turkey, and Japan. This platform has also seen explosive financial growth, with revenues skyrocketing from KRW 560 million in 2023 to KRW 2.79 billion in 2025. Impressively, the company has already surpassed its projected revenue for the entirety of 2024 in the first quarter of 2026. Recognition for their groundbreaking products is evident as WIM has earned the prestigious CES Innovation Award for three consecutive years.
The carefully curated movement data, alongside the sophisticated control technology accrued during these deployments, positions WIRobotics uniquely as they transition into the humanoid robotics landscape.
Expanding into Global Markets
Having established a robust foundation for its product line, WIRobotics is intensifying its global outreach. The company is broadening its commercialization strategies in South Korea through direct operations at experience centers and partnerships with retail department stores. On the international front, plans are underway to set up a North America branch in California, enhancing their collaborations with global distributors and healthcare networks.
Mobile ALLEX and Future Goals
The next version of WIRobotics' humanoid platform, Mobile ALLEX, aims to bridge research with real-world applications, catering to global institutions and partners. This innovative venture will enable collective research and technological validation, pushing the boundaries of human-robot interaction.
As articulated by Co-CEO Yeonbaek Lee, this considerable investment is a testament to the notion that the data and control technologies developed through their successes in wearable robotics can escalate into superior humanoid robotics innovations. His partner, Yongjae Kim, emphasized the continuation of trust from investors, underscoring WIRobotics' mission to drive a transformative breakthrough in high-performance manipulation technologies that can interact profoundly with human users and environments.
In summary, WIRobotics is not only set to amplify South Korean leadership in humanoid robotics but is also prepared to enhance its global footprint, firmly positioning itself as a formidable presence in the future of robotics. With ambitious goals for mass production and advancing the realms of Physical AI, WIRobotics is forging a path that will redefine engagement between humans and robots moving forward.