UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, has opened its first commercial and service robot testing laboratory in Uiwang, South Korea, to provide testing and certification services for emerging safety risks, particularly in human-robot interactions.

Located 39 kilometers south of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, the new lab is situated in the heart of South Korea’s growing robotics ecosystem and will work closely with manufacturers to ensure the safe adoption of innovative technologies.

“The robotics industry is entering a new era of growth, one where machines deliver room service in hotels, serve as companions at home, and assist shoppers in stores,” said Yun Chung, regional managing director at UL Solutions in South Korea. “Our new robot laboratory will play a critical role in addressing safety concerns while enabling businesses worldwide to harness the benefits of robotics.”

The facility will focus on compliance testing under UL 3300, the Standard for Safety for Service, Communication, Information, Education and Entertainment Robots. The standard ensures that robots can operate safely alongside people in public and commercial spaces, with requirements including speed limits, object detection, and visual and audible signals.

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The launch comes amid a surge in global demand for service robots. According to the World Robotics 2024 Service Robots report, sales of professional service robots jumped 30% worldwide last year, with nearly 80% of units sold in the Asia-Pacific region. Logistics, hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries are increasingly adopting robots to improve efficiency, address labor shortages, and enhance workplace safety.

UL Solutions operates in more than 110 countries, providing testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services to support product innovation and sustainable growth.

Source: Agency