A groundbreaking development in robotics is taking place in Korea, where a startup named Diden Robotics has launched a new four-legged robot welder known as the Diden Spider. This advanced machine is designed specifically for the demanding environment of shipyards and has already secured contracts with two local shipbuilders and one client from Europe. The Diden Spider weighs 45 kilograms and can carry a payload of 30 kilograms. Its unique magnetic feet allow it to traverse steel walls and ceilings, adeptly navigate around steel beams, and fit through tight spaces. Founded in March 2024 by four alumni of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Diden Robotics quickly gained recognition. By 2026, the startup was featured on Forbes Asia's "100 to Watch" list, showcased in opening videos at Nvidia GTC and Computex, and was the only Korean startup invited to the MARS 2026 robotics and AI conference hosted by Amazon. Currently, the robot is capable of inspecting welding seams for quality assurance, and the company has plans to enhance its functionality by teaching it to paint ship hulls in the future. As discussions about AI's impact on various professions continue, the introduction of the Diden Spider raises questions about which roles will be most affected—programmers or welders.
Informational material. 18+.
