Korea's Biggest Manufacturers Back Config, a Startup That Wants to Be the Backbone of Robot Data

In a significant development, South Korea's largest manufacturers, including Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, have invested in Config, a startup that aims to provide the data needed for robots to learn and operate. This investment is a testament to the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector. Config has secured $27 million in funding, led by Samsung Venture Investment, and has a valuation of over $200 million.

The startup was founded in January 2025 by CEO Minjoon Seo, a former researcher at Meta and chief scientist at Twelve Labs, along with three co-founders with backgrounds at Waymo, Google, and Naver. Instead of building robots themselves, the team is focused on providing the data that robots need to learn and operate. This approach is different from other robotics companies, which often focus on building the robots themselves. Config believes that better data will be key to making robots more useful.

The funding will go toward three priorities: scaling its data operation in Vietnam and Seoul toward one million hours of collected data, growing its enterprise platform business to $10 million in ARR by the end of 2027, and launching a cloud-based Robot-as-a-Service product that lets companies run Config's foundation model without requiring onboard hardware. Config already has a significant amount of data, with over 100,000 hours of human motion data collected to date. This is more than 30 times the size of AgiBot World, the largest comparable open-source dataset.

The investment in Config is significant because it highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector. Asia's push into physical AI is being fueled by the same manufacturing prowess that made the region a global industrial powerhouse. Countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan have long relied on large-scale production, export-driven industries, and highly optimized supply chains. This structural foundation is now shaping how artificial intelligence is adopted and where investment flows.

The market for robot data is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and Config is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend. The startup's approach to providing data for robots is gaining traction, and its investment from major manufacturers is a testament to its potential. As companies pursue more capable robots, the cost of gathering and labeling data can rise quickly. Config wants to be the company that makes everyone else's robot AI possible.

The implications of Config's approach are significant. If the startup is successful, it could enable the widespread adoption of robots in various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. This could lead to increased efficiency and productivity, as well as new opportunities for innovation. However, there are also concerns about the potential risks and challenges associated with the development of robot AI. For example, there may be concerns about job displacement, as well as the potential for robots to be used in ways that are harmful to humans.

As the market for robot data continues to grow, it will be important to address these concerns and ensure that the development of robot AI is done in a responsible and ethical manner. Config's approach to providing data for robots is an important step in this direction, as it has the potential to enable the widespread adoption of robots in a way that is safe and beneficial to humans.

In the coming years, it will be important to watch how Config's approach to providing data for robots evolves. The startup has ambitious plans to scale its data operation and launch new products, and it will be interesting to see how these efforts play out. As the market for robot data continues to grow, it is likely that we will see new developments and innovations in this space.

What happens next will depend on a variety of factors, including the success of Config's approach to providing data for robots, as well as the broader trends and developments in the market for robot AI. One thing is certain, however: the investment in Config by major manufacturers is a significant development that highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector.

Do you think that Config's approach to providing data for robots will enable the widespread adoption of robots in various industries, or are there too many challenges and risks associated with this technology? How do you think the development of robot AI will impact the job market and the economy as a whole?

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Filed under: RobotData, ArtificialIntelligence, Manufacturing, SouthKorea, Samsung