Hanwha Invests 70 Billion Won in LionRobotics for Robot Dog Development

Hanwha Group has announced a significant investment of 70 billion won in LionRobotics, a company specializing in military quadruped robots. This move aims to fill a gap in Hanwha's defense robotics portfolio and position the company competitively in the burgeoning robotic technology market.

The investment comes as part of LionRobotics' 100 billion won Series B fundraising round, which values the company at 600 billion won before the new funding. With this investment, Hanwha will acquire approximately a 10% stake in LionRobotics, marking a notable expansion into the defense robotics sector.

LionRobotics, founded in October 2023 by KAIST professor Hwangbo Je-Min, has gained attention for its flagship product, the quadruped robot Raibo. The robot is designed to navigate challenging terrains using advanced control systems based on reinforcement learning.

Hanwha's Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Kwan has shown keen interest in the project, having personally observed a demonstration of the Raibo robot. This investment aligns with global trends where military applications for robotic dogs are rapidly increasing, as seen in conflicts like the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Existing investors in LionRobotics are optimistic about Hanwha's involvement, anticipating strong synergies given the company's focus on military markets. The completion of Hanwha's investment is expected to expedite the Series B fundraising process, with additional funding likely coming from current investors.