KH Vatech is joining hands with high-precision gear specialist Eastern Gear to expand its core robot component business in earnest.
KH Vatech announced on the 22nd that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Eastern Gear for cooperation in advancing and commercializing high-precision reducer technology for robots.
This agreement was pursued to combine the capabilities of both companies through technological cooperation in the field of reducers, a core robot drive component, and to develop and mass-produce competitive products based on this cooperation.
The two companies will conduct joint research and development on core source technologies, including the design, materials, and processing of high-precision reducers for robots. They will also establish a mass production system that links technology development capabilities with manufacturing infrastructure and explore high-value-added business models. Furthermore, they plan to proactively respond to global robot market trends and demand by planning next-generation product lines and operating a continuous technical collaboration channel.
In particular, the strategy is to develop and mass-produce ultra-small reducers with center distances of 30 mm or less in the globoid worm reducer market, which is currently dominated by products with center distances of 80 mm or more, to meet the demand for next-generation compact, high-precision reducers, such as those for humanoid robot hand actuators. Furthermore, the company plans to strengthen its price competitiveness by introducing metal injection molding (MIM) technology, which will reduce costs by 20-30% compared to existing products.
Eastern Gear, a prospective unicorn company in Gyeongsangbuk-do, possesses the development and design capabilities for high-precision reducers, including the core technology for globoid worm gears. Globoid worm gears boast superior durability and precision compared to conventional worm gears thanks to their surface-contact structure. They also deliver high power transmission while reducing volume by over 30%, making them a key component for robot joints and drive units. This technology has been demonstrated at international exhibitions such as CES 2025 and is a new member of the K-Humanoid Alliance.
Following its equity investment in Eastern Gear, KH Vatech has further strengthened its partnership with this MOU. The two companies plan to combine Eastern Gear's design technology with KH Vatech's metalworking expertise to jointly develop and mass-produce products with competitive quality and cost. These products will be supplied to the global robotics market, expanding their business presence.
Meanwhile, KH Vatech is leveraging this partnership to gradually implement a mid- to long-term growth strategy for its robotics business. Building on its experience supplying external components for collaborative robots, the company plans to expand its supply to drive components such as reducers and expand its business to include assembly of robot joints and drive modules.
A KH Vatech official said, “This collaboration signifies our full-scale entry into the robot drive components sector,” and added, “We will continue to increase the added value of our robot business through gradual expansion from external components to drive components, assembly, and module businesses.”
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