Robros CEO Says He Will Build a Tesla Optimus-Class Robot With In-House Technology

"Tesla will not sell us Optimus even if we pay, so we decided to build it ourselves."

Robros CEO Noh Seungjun said this on the 10th at the 2025 News1 Tech Forum in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, during a lecture titled "Where Do AI Humanoids Work?"

He said Robros started with collaborative robot automation solutions and entered full-scale humanoid development last year, resulting in the 180 cm, 100 kg prototype IGRIS-A. The upper body uses imitation learning and the lower body uses reinforcement learning for full-body control.

He said it is rare for a Korean startup to build an Atlas-class robot, which attracted attention from research and defense fields. He said the company plans to unveil the research-focused model IGRIS-C in the fall to align with the International Conference on Humanoid Robots at COEX, and plans a 4.3 km walking march from the Seongsu-dong headquarters to COEX to raise public awareness.

Robros aims to commercialize the IGRIS series in logistics centers by 2026. The strategy is to realize "code-free automation" where AI-based imitation and reinforcement learning absorb diverse patterns in real time.

Noh said logistics and goods movement have been automated by AMR and AGV, but packaging remains an untapped market. He said humanoids can raise productivity and address chronic labor gaps.

He said battery, semiconductor, and appliance factories have requested adoption if performance is secured, and the company plans to build test lines at two sites next year with a goal of deploying to mass production processes in 2027. He said humanoids can solve labor shortages and cost burdens and prove domestic technology is globally top tier.