MachinaRocks, which is set to list on the KOSDAQ on the 20th, outlined a growth strategy centered on what it calls “on-site AI” at an IPO news conference. The company said it aims to expand its market with an AI operating system designed to run in industrial settings such as manufacturing and defense.
CEO Yoon Sung-ho said the company’s core product, the AI operating system “Runway,” will serve as a platform to integrate and manage how companies use foundation models in their own environments. “As the AI market changes rapidly, companies want to use foundation models in ways that fit their own settings,” Yoon said at the event held Tuesday at 63 Square in Seoul. “Runway will take on the role of a platform that can integrate and manage that.”
Yoon said a key differentiator is that the operating system can run on closed networks as AI moves beyond computers and into real-world industrial sites. He also drew a line between MachinaRocks and global big tech firms such as Nvidia, Microsoft and OpenAI, emphasizing a focus on field operations.
“Global big tech companies are also entering physical AI, but for now they are focused on cloud-based decision support or the research stage,” Yoon said. “MachinaRocks is focused on operating in real time at sites such as factories or battlefields on closed networks where connectivity is cut off.” He said the company’s competitiveness is backed by more than 6,000 references built while meeting high security requirements in manufacturing and defense.
MachinaRocks also detailed its overseas strategy, naming Japan as its top priority. The company said it signed contracts with four “1 trillion won club” companies within a year of establishing its Japan unit.
“Japan, with a similar manufacturing structure and a large market, is the region where we can deliver results the fastest,” Yoon said. He said the company will focus on Japan and Europe for the time being and raise the share of global sales to about 20% to 30% by 2030. He said North America will be pursued after strengthening fundamentals, while the Middle East will be explored through participation in national strategic projects.
The company said proceeds from the IPO will be concentrated on upgrading Runway. It plans to develop a “Dark Factory OS” for autonomous manufacturing and a defense-focused “Defense OS” to strengthen competitiveness and speed global expansion.
To companies hesitant to adopt AI, Yoon pointed to references and measurable results. “Customers in manufacturing and defense place the greatest importance on cases where real economic effects have been proven,” he said. “MachinaRocks is competitive in that we can present verified results in numbers, such as cost reductions or productivity gains.”
MachinaRocks set an IPO price band of 12,500 won to 15,000 won and plans to take retail subscriptions May 11-12 before listing on the KOSDAQ on the 20th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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