Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 20, Doosan Robotics and agricultural machinery firm Daedong have announced a partnership to develop on-device artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and agricultural robots, the companies said on Monday. The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at Doosan Robotics’ innovation center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday.

Daedong Vice Chairman Won Yoo-hyun, left, poses with Doosan Robotics CEO Kim Min-pyo after signing a memorandum of understanding at the latter's Innovation Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Friday.

Daedong, a leading Korean agricultural machinery manufacturer, produces autonomous tractors and other automated equipment. Under the agreement, both companies will work together to develop field robots optimized for smart farms and outdoor agricultural environments, creating on-device AI solutions suitable for unstructured farming conditions, and exploring global markets for field robots.

Doosan Robotics will focus on designing and manufacturing robotic arms and control systems, enabling the commercialization of mobile manipulators specialized for agricultural tasks. Mobile manipulators combine an autonomous platform with robotic arms to perform integrated operations efficiently.

Daedong will handle the design and production of autonomous mobile platforms that leverage agricultural field data. It will also be responsible for field testing, safety certification for on-site operations, and supporting overseas regulatory compliance.

The two firms will jointly develop on-device AI technology capable of human-level recognition and performing agricultural tasks in unstructured environments. They also plan to apply for an upcoming government project to develop AI System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions. On-device AI executes functions directly on the device rather than through cloud servers, enabling real-time AI services and faster response times.

For the project, Doosan Robotics will focus on developing algorithms and standardizing key components, including performance, functionality, and interfaces for SoCs.

“Through this MOU, we will develop robotic solutions that can be applied to agricultural sites where working conditions are challenging and labor power is hard to secure,” said Doosan Robotics CEO Kim Min-pyo. “By combining Daedong’s extensive experience in manufacturing field equipment with Doosan Robotics’ technological expertise, we will commercialize mobile manipulators in the near future and expand into the global agricultural market.”

This partnership highlights the growing integration of AI and robotics in agriculture, aiming to enhance productivity, efficiency, and safety in farming. By leveraging Doosan Robotics’ expertise in robotic systems and Daedong’s experience in field machinery, the two companies seek to create advanced, autonomous solutions for modern agriculture, particularly in regions facing labor shortages or complex working conditions.

The collaboration also positions both companies to compete in global smart agriculture markets, addressing the rising demand for intelligent farming technologies and supporting the adoption of autonomous solutions in commercial agriculture.