The initiative represents a key milestone in bilateral relations, aiming to translate shared strategic priorities into concrete research collaboration, technology development, and infrastructure building in advanced robotics and manufacturing.
The event was attended by leading representatives from both countries, Dr. Jungkwan Kim, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea, CTU rector prof. Michal Pěchouček, CIIRC CTU Director and Scientific Director Dr. Ondřej Velek and prof. Vladimír Mařík, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Korean research and innovation organizations including KEIT, KETI, KIRIA, KIRO and KOTRA, and Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
A shared vision for manufacturing in the age of AI
Both sides emphasized the importance of manufacturing as a cornerstone of their economies and the urgent need to adapt to transformation driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics.
“The Czech Republic is the proud birthplace of the word 'Robot'. This advanced robotics collaboration is the leading flagship project among the robotics, battery, and automotive partnerships discussed by our two nations last year, holding a strong symbolic meaning for our bilateral cooperation in high-tech industries," said Minister Dr. Jungkwan Kim during the meeting.
The cooperation framework aims to integrate joint research and development in advanced robotics with the planned establishment of the Korea–Czech Robot Cooperation Center, which will serve as a platform for technology transfer, industrial validation, and long-term scientific collaboration.
“CTU in Prague plays a key role in Czech–Korean cooperation by helping transform a strategic international partnership into tangible scientific results and innovations,” said Prof. Michal Pěchouček, Rector of CTU. “We have been systematically developing this initiative since 2024, and its importance continues to grow. This September, the first joint project—a robotics laboratory—will be established and hosted at CIIRC CTU.”
“Today’s meeting marks the official launch of our cooperation,” said Dr. Ondřej Velek, Director of CIIRC CTU. “What pleases me even more is that this collaboration is no longer remaining at the level of declarations. Together, we have prepared two project proposals that demonstrate our partnership has been built on concrete research activities and shared ambitions from the very beginning. One example is research into the remote operation of robots over extreme distances, which represents a significant challenge for both sides.”
“Robotics and artificial intelligence are no longer separate domains – they are converging into a single technological ecosystem that is reshaping industry. Through this partnership, we are connecting top-level research with real industrial applications, creating conditions for technologies that are not only advanced, but also practically deployable in complex manufacturing environments,” added prof. Vladimír Mařík, Scientific Director of CIIRC CTU.
Building a joint innovation ecosystem
The cooperation is designed as a long-term strategic platform connecting research institutions, innovation agencies, and industrial partners from both countries. It will facilitate joint research projects, exchange of experts, shared technological demonstrations, and organization of scientific and industrial workshops.
The establishment of the Korea–Czech Advanced Robot Industry Partnership Initiative marks a new phase in cooperation, with the ambition to create a fully integrated innovation ecosystem bridging research excellence and industrial deployment.
The visit concluded with a tour of the CIIRC’s lab, RICAIP Testbed Prague, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and research activities in robotics, AI, and intelligent manufacturing.