S. Korea's robot industry to grow 10 pct in 2009

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's robot industry is expected to grow around 10 percent on-year this year, fueled by gains in the production of service robots, the government said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said the industry's annual production could
surpass 910 billion won (US$770 million) this year, compared with 826.8 billion
won tallied for 2008.
It said that predicted gains are to be mostly generated by the 87 percent
increase in service robots like those used for cleaning, recreation, education
and surveillance. Production of manufacturing robots that make up the bulk of the
country's production capability may gain 2.6 percent on-year.
"Total production of these types of machines may reach 90.5 billion won this
year, with private service robots accounting for more than 71.3 billion won," the
report said. Specialized robots that cover surveillance and rescue are to make up
the remainder.
The ministry in charge of the country's industrial policies said that of all
companies in the robotics-field, 58.8 percent or 120 companies started operations
after 2000.
It said of all companies in this field, 87.8 percent reported annual sales of
less than 5 billion won.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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