The Czech Republic and South Korea have taken another step in their cooperation in advanced robotics and manufacturing with the opening of the Korea–Czech Advanced Robotics Center (KCARC) at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) in Prague on September 21, 2026. The center brings together Czech and Korean research institutions, companies and public-sector partners with the aim of developing and testing new robotics technologies.

KCARC builds on a Memorandum of Understanding on Czech–Korean technical cooperation in robotics signed in 2024. The new center provides a practical framework for joint research, technology development, industrial demonstrations and long-term business partnerships. Representatives at the opening included Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček, Korean Commercial Attaché Jong-min Ryu, CIIRC CTU Director Ondřej Velek and Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) President Yeong-Hoon Cho.

The partnership brings together complementary strengths from both countries. South Korea is a global leader in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced components, while the Czech Republic has a strong manufacturing base and established links between industry, universities and research institutions. KCARC aims to combine these capabilities by moving beyond research projects to testing and validating technologies in real industrial environments.

For Korean robotics companies, the center could provide a gateway to the European industrial market, allowing them to demonstrate their technologies and develop partnerships with Czech companies and research institutions. Czech companies, meanwhile, will gain access to Korean robotics technologies and new opportunities for cooperation. The center will also support training and knowledge exchange for students and industry professionals.

The opening follows several years of increasingly close cooperation. Since 2024, Czech and Korean institutions have developed joint R&D programmes, including projects focused on advanced robotics and robotic perception. The new center is intended to turn this existing cooperation into concrete projects and commercial applications, with further demonstrations planned at Czech manufacturing sites.

Located at the RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU, KCARC is the first permanent center of its kind in Central Europe focused specifically on connecting the Czech and Korean robotics and advanced manufacturing ecosystems. Its establishment strengthens the international links of Czech research institutions while creating a new platform for Korean companies seeking cooperation and opportunities in the European market. With the center now operational, Czech–Korean cooperation in robotics is entering a new phase focused on practical applications, joint projects and industrial deployment.

Source: CVUT
Prepared by the team of foreign office CzechTrade South Korea (Seoul)