SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - A research team has won the 2026 Best Paper Award from the IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine for developing an artificial intelligence-based framework that allows a humanoid robot to autonomously fly an aircraft, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Friday.
The award recognizes a 2025 study detailing PIBOT, a humanoid designed to operate standard aircraft controls without requiring cockpit modifications. The award ceremony took place on June 4, 2026, during the International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Vienna, Austria. The research, based in South Korea, is led by Professor Shim Hyun-chul of the electrical and electronic engineering department at KAIST.
The IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine is a peer-reviewed publication that highlights applied robotics research, recording an impact factor of 7.1 in 2025. The recognized study demonstrated a physical artificial intelligence system capable of acquiring specialized aviation knowledge, recognizing flight situations in real time, and responding adaptively. This differentiates the system from humanoid robots focused primarily on basic movement and cargo transport.
The development of PIBOT began in 2021 with an estimated 5.7 billion won in funding over five years from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Having completed the initial phase of research, the team has been working since 2024 on a second-phase robot with a human-like physique and joint structure optimized for piloting. Researchers are also collaborating with related organizations to adapt the technology for ground vehicles and ships.
"It is very meaningful that the pilot robot technology proposed for the first time in the world by a domestic research team has been recognized as a world-class research achievement thanks to the support of large-scale domestic projects," Professor Shim said. "We will further develop the research so that humanoid robots can help people in real environments and safely operate complex systems." Doctoral students Min Sung-jae, Kang Gyu-ri, and Kim Hyung-joo participated as co-first authors of the study.
(Reference Information)
Journal/Source: IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine
Title: Toward Fully Autonomous Aviation: PIBOT, a Humanoid Robot Pilot for Human-Centric Aircraft Cockpits
Link/DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2024.3505774
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