WIRobotics x KIST Robotics

South Korean robotics company (Cheonan) founded in 2021 by former Samsung Robotics engineers, building wearable walking-assist robots and [Humanoid](/companies/humanoid-ai) robots. Commercial sales of lower-back and walking-assist wearable robots began in 2023. Unveiled humanoid robot ALLEX upper body in summer 2025. Raised $68M total across seed and Series A.

KIST Robotics is the robotics research division of the [Korea Institute of Science and Technology](https://www.kist.re.kr) (KIST), South Korea's first multidisciplinary government research institute, founded in 1966. Operating primarily through its Center for Intelligent and Interactive Robotics and the broader Artificial Intelligence and Robot Institute (AIR), KIST develops humanoid, service, medical, and wearable robots — including the [Mahru](/models/mahru) humanoid series co-developed with Samsung, the MOONWALK gait-assist wearable, and the DELI-BUDDY delivery robot. With ~250 researchers, AIR is one of Korea's largest AI and robotics research institutes.