What Was Approved on October 13
On October 13, Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources convened the 6th Industrial Convergence Regulatory Special Committee at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and approved 16 cases across AI, robotics, and energy. The headline item was a humanoid field trial jointly filed by RoboTrOS and four partner companies.
The same day, the government announced a "Preemptive Deregulation Plan for M.AX Expansion." One key task is to publish a manufacturing AI cybersecurity standard for SMEs and mid-sized firms by early 2028.
Why Mobile Robots Have Struggled to Enter Factories
Article 223 (Prevention of Hazards During Operation) of the Rules on Occupational Safety and Health Standards requires a fence at least 1.8 meters high around industrial robots, with presence-sensing devices such as safety mats or light curtains where fencing isn't possible. A proviso allows the fence to be omitted when the robot meets Korean Industrial Standards or internationally recognized safety standards, which is how collaborative robots have been used without fencing.
The catch is that the rule assumes a robot fixed in one place. Humanoids and mobile manipulators walk around the shop floor and share space with people, so their "range of motion" can't be fenced off, and no standard applied to them. This approval shows how a company can legally test a robot that current standards don't cover.
Three Paths in the Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox
A demonstration exemption is generally valid for two years and can be extended. Unlike Regulation-Free Special Zones, which are led by local governments and designated by region, the industrial convergence sandbox lets companies apply directly.
What SME Manufacturers Should Prepare
1. Split Roles Between Buyer and Supplier
As in this case, robot makers and factories usually apply jointly. Settle who files the application, who provides the site, and who is liable for accidents in a written agreement up front.
2. Build a Safety Evidence Package
3. Meet the Exemption Conditions
Approvals usually come with conditions such as data reporting and incident response procedures. Trial data becomes the basis for later regulatory reform, so set up record-keeping from day one.
4. Plan the Costs
Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) can lower upfront costs, and you can link it with government robot adoption programs such as the Robot-Enabled Manufacturing Innovation program.
Cybersecurity Standard by 2028: What You Can Do Now
Mobile and AI-driven robots rely on wireless networks and remote updates, which greatly expands your OT security scope. Even before the standard is final, starting with an asset inventory, remote access control, and firmware update records will make compliance easier later.
How KITIM Can Help
KITIM checks in advance whether the robot you plan to deploy falls under current regulations and helps you choose between rapid confirmation and a demonstration exemption. We prepare the exemption application, the risk assessment and safety evidence, and link your project to robot adoption support programs, all in one plan. If you're considering fence-free robots, please reach out to the KITIM consulting team.