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HD Hyundai Group. (Photo courtesy of HD Hyundai Group) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] HD Hyundai Robotics reports loss amid R&D expansion but expects improvement through cost innovation
HD Hyundai reported solid earnings last year driven by growth across its core businesses and said it will continue to focus on profitability-oriented management in 2026.
While most subsidiaries—including shipbuilding, offshore engineering, construction equipment, and energy—posted improved results year-on-year, HD Hyundai Robotics was the only major unit to record a loss. The company said it aims to improve performance this year through industry recovery and cost innovation.
During its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings conference call on Feb. 12, HD Hyundai stated that a one-off inventory loss of KRW 4 billion at an overseas subsidiary was reflected in HD Hyundai Robotics’ results, adding that no additional such charges are expected.
The company also noted that research and development (R&D) expenses increased due to the launch of new controller products designed to respond to the growing physical AI market.
“Significant investment is being made in ongoing R&D projects, including a hybrid robot scheduled for launch in October and a large-scale robot planned for the first quarter of next year,” the company said. “Although these upfront costs have weighed on profitability, revenue continues to grow and factory utilization rates are improving. We expect to see partial performance gains this year by focusing on cost innovation.”
HD Hyundai Robotics posted revenue of KRW 263 billion last year, up 22.4% year-on-year. However, it recorded an operating loss of KRW 21.8 billion, swinging into the red compared with the previous year.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
