25th July 2025: Kyungnam University, RCK and Nextspace signa global partnership to accelerate manufacturing innovation. This aims to offersmall and medium sized manufacturers (SMMs) an AI powered opportunity toautomate operations and compete more successfully globally.
At the heart of this collaboration is a bold vision: todemocratize access to advanced automation and simulation technologies through PhysicalAI, unlocking new levels of efficiency, adaptability, and data-drivendecision-making.
Professor Yoo, Nam-Hyun, Associate Professor andDeputy Dean at Kyungnam University, School of Computer Science and Engineering,Mark Thomas CEO and Founder Nextspace, Park Soo-jin, CEO of RCK, ProfessorJinhong Yang (Assistant Professor Inje University) sign a strategicpartnership (25 July25)
Simulation & Optimization for Automation and DarkFactory Operations
The partnership delivers a leading Physical AI-poweredsimulation and optimization framework tailored to the unique needs of SMMs.This approach enables:
· Low-barrier entry into automation:Manufacturers can simulate production lines before investing in physicalinfrastructure.
· Dark factory readiness: AI-driven modelssupport lights-out operations, reducing labor dependency and maximizing uptime.
· Rapid prototyping and layout optimization:Virtual commissioning tools allow real-time testing of robotic systems andfactory configurations.
This empowers SMMs to adopt smart manufacturing without theoverhead of enterprise-scale systems - making high-tech transformation bothfeasible and scalable.
Open Data Ontology for Seamless Integration
At the core of the initiative is an open data ontologydesigned to unify real-world datasets from any supplier, system, or device.This architecture:
· Breaks down silos between legacy systemsand modern platforms.
· Enables plug-and-play interoperabilityacross diverse equipment and software.
· Supports predictive analytics and real-timemonitoring using standardized data models.
For SMMs, this means they can integrate existing assets intoa future-ready digital twin ecosystem—without costly overhauls or vendorlock-in.
A Collaborative Ecosystem Driving Regional Innovation
This initiative is powered by a highly collaborativepartnership that brings together:
· Kyungnam University: advancingmanufacturing AI research and talent development.
· The Korean Government: providingstrategic support through the Physical AI and Global University initiatives.
· Technology leaders like Nextspace and RCK:delivering cutting-edge platforms and automation expertise.
This is more than a technology rollout - it’s a blueprintfor inclusive industrial transformation. By lowering barriers to entry andfostering open collaboration, the Physical AI initiative ensures that small andmedium manufacturers aren’t just catching up - they’re leading the way.
About Kyungnam University, South Korea
Kyungnam University was selected in May 2024 as the lead institution for the“Regional Intelligent Innovation Talent Development” project, supported by theMinistry of Science and ICT and IITP. The university established Gyeongnam’sfirst AI/SW Convergence Graduate School and a Global Joint Research Center forLarge-Scale Manufacturing AI, positioning itself at the forefront ofmanufacturing data standardization and innovation.
About RCK, South Korea
RCK is a South Korean robotics and automation company specializing in virtualcommissioning and simulation technologies for smart manufacturing. Its platformenables real-time simulation of robotic systems and production lines, offeringseamless integration with major PLC systems and support for mobile and VRenvironments. RCK’s solutions are widely used to optimize factory layouts,improve productivity, and accelerate deployment of automation technologies
About Nextspace, New Zealand
Nextspace is a pioneering digital twin software company based in Auckland, NewZealand. The company focuses on enhancing critical infrastructure andsustainability through advanced visualization, AI integration, and data-drivensimulation. Nextspace empowers organizations to unify and analyze complex dataacross infrastructure systems, helping them unlock operational efficiency andbuild smarter, more resilient environments
