SK Telecom : SKT to Promote AI Robot-based Logistics Business

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, hereinafter referred to as "SKT") today announced that it invested KRW 10 billion in CMES* and signed a business agreement with CMES to cooperate in the AI robot-based logistics business.

* CMES is a leading AI vision robotics company. It has been innovating robotic process automation for many companies around the globe through advanced AI and 3D vision technologies.

At SKT's press conference held on February 28 at MWC Barcelona 2022, SKT CEO Ryu Young-sang stated that the company will actively promote AI-based robot business as part of its Connected Intelligence business.

With the additional investment of KRW 10 billion in CMES - following its initial investment of KRW 900 million in 2016, - SKT became the second largest shareholder of CMES. CMES has attracted a total of KRW 30 billion, including KRW 20 billion it raised in November last year.

Through this agreement, SKT and CMES will jointly promote AI robot-based logistics business in full swing.

The two companies have been preparing for the 'AI-based loading and unloading robot' business since the second half of 2020. By combining SKT's vision AI technology with vision guided robot software developed by CMES, they successfully developed an AI-based loading and unloading robot capable of sorting various shapes and sizes of irregular shaped products with 99.9% accuracy.

Capable of processing more than 600 boxes per hour, the robot is expected to help alleviate labor shortage in logistics and overwork of delivery workers, thereby creating social value.

Going forward, SKT and CMES will set up a business cooperation council to develop other cooperation models in the logistics AI robot business and create opportunities in both Korea and the U.S., the world's largest logistics market.

"Through this investment, we will strengthen our cooperation with CMES, which has competitiveness in 3D vision and robot control," said Choi Nak-hoon, Vice President and Head of Smart Factory CO. "We will continue to make efforts to contribute to the growth of the AI robot industry including the logistics sector, and help tackle pressing social issues."