Korean Robot Stocks Soar, Physical AI Fever Effect Getting Stronger

JAKARTA - The fever of robots and physical AI has started to lift the shares of major South Korean companies. Four robot-related emitters on the country's main stock exchange have recorded an average increase of 155 percent throughout the year.

According to a Yonhap report quoted Wednesday, June 3, Korea Exchange data as of Tuesday includes four large-cap stocks, namely Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, Kia, and LG Electronics. Each has a market value of at least 50 trillion won, or about 32.8 billion US dollars.

Physical AI is artificial intelligence applied to physical objects, such as robots, autonomous vehicles, and smart machines. So, AI not only works on the screen, but also moves in the real world.

The most striking spike was in LG Electronics. Its shares closed at 392,500 won on Tuesday, up more than fourfold from 91,400 won on the first trading day of the year.

LG has been known for household appliances. However, the company is getting serious about humanoid robots. At CES 2026, LG introduced a new robot called CLOiD.

Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, and Kia shares also rose. Each gained 144 percent, 105 percent, and 40 percent.

The rise was triggered by market expectations of Atlas, a humanoid robot made by Boston Dynamics. The American robot company is under the Hyundai Motor Group.

The statement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang added to positive sentiment towards Korean robot stocks. He called robotics one of the potential investment areas in South Korea ahead of his visit to the country this weekend.

Yonhap reported that analysts expect investors to pay attention to a number of major agendas in the second half of this year. One of them is the launch of the third generation humanoid robot by Tesla.

This increase in shares shows that investors are beginning to see robots as more than just a technology exhibition. Humanoid robots are now read as new business opportunities, from factories, services, to households.