Science ministry names KIST's Lee Jong-won November science award winner

The science ministry said Wednesday it selected Lee Jong-won, head of the humanoid research group at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology's AI Robot Research Institute, as the November winner of the Republic of Korea Science and Technology Award for developing a Korean AI humanoid platform.

Lee led the team that built KAPEX, a next-generation humanoid that integrates domestically developed actuators, mechanisms, sensors and artificial intelligence, establishing the basis for intelligent robots capable of autonomous learning and collaboration. The award, given monthly to one researcher for original work over the past three years, carries a vice premier's prize and 10 million won ($7,456).

The platform uses compact, lightweight, high-output actuators capable of exerting up to 300 newton-meters of torque while fitting inside a joint the size of a human one, along with composite joints modeled on the human musculoskeletal structure. A seven-degree-of-freedom leg joint that precisely controls the toes and ankles allows KAPEX to carry objects weighing more than 20 kilograms while keeping its balance as it moves. The team also more than doubled the humanoid's whole-body energy efficiency compared with existing models by jointly optimizing its actuators, joints and control technology.

In September 2025 the team transferred key technologies to LG Electronics and built an industry-academia-research cooperation network that includes LG AI Research, LG Energy Solution, universities and hospitals. It plans to run long-term work trials in real environments such as hospitals and public facilities.

Lee completed his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology and is a leading Korean researcher in physical AI and wearable robots. He holds 55 overseas registered patents and two technology transfers, and produced the results with support from the science ministry's STEAM research program.

"This research is meaningful in that it laid the foundation for the domestic robot industry ecosystem through the development of a Korean AI humanoid platform," Lee said. "We will continue to secure global competitiveness in AI humanoid technology that helps people in various fields such as manufacturing, logistics and care, based on public-private cooperation."