First reported Sep 22 — we wrote this up later than the original.
KH바텍 Targets Robotics, AI Data Centers with Precision Components
The precision parts maker is expanding its core metal-forming expertise into robot reducers and high-heat dissipation connectors.
Recap
Source: 로봇신문, report of Sept. 22, 2026
According to the report, precision component manufacturer KH바텍 is actively broadening its business scope to include robotics, AI data centers, and semiconductors. The company is applying its 30-year history of ultra-precision metal forming and surface treatment, originally built in the smartphone and automotive electronics sectors, to these emerging fields. As part of its enterprise value enhancement plan, KH바텍 has set a target of a 20% annual average revenue growth rate between 2024 and 2028, focusing its investments on future growth areas such as robotics, digital cockpit mechanisms, chip molding, and high-heat dissipation parts.
In the robotics sector, the company states it has completed the development of a self-designed reducer and is currently conducting performance evaluations. The reducer is a critical component that determines the power and precision of a robot's joints, a market that has historically relied heavily on overseas suppliers. KH바텍 is also expanding collaborations with multiple global firms to develop metal mechanisms for robots.
For AI data centers, the company is developing metal parts and high-heat dissipation connectors for Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC). This shift is driven by the increasing heat output of AI servers, which makes traditional air cooling insufficient. The company is developing multiple product lines simultaneously and plans to conduct sequential customer evaluations. Additionally, KH바텍 is developing precision metal parts for semiconductor packaging processes, an area that aligns with its high-heat dissipation technology. A company official noted that all three areas are in the development phase and are expected to translate into actual revenue soon after passing customer evaluations and mass production verification.
Context
The robotics industry has long faced a bottleneck in high-precision reducers, with the market dominated by a few established overseas suppliers. Domestic manufacturers are increasingly entering this space to reduce supply chain dependencies and capture the growing demand for humanoid and industrial robots. Meanwhile, the rapid scaling of AI infrastructure has created a critical need for advanced thermal management solutions, as the power consumption of modern AI accelerators far exceeds the cooling capacity of standard air-based systems. Liquid cooling is becoming the standard for high-performance data centers, driving demand for specialized metal components that can withstand high thermal loads.
Robot's take
KH바텍's move into robotics components is a strategic attempt to diversify away from the saturated smartphone market. However, the transition from precision metal forming to complex mechanical systems like reducers is a significant technical leap. The company's success will depend on whether its surface treatment and forming expertise can meet the stringent reliability requirements of robotic joints. For the AI data center segment, the demand for liquid cooling components is strong, but the company will face intense competition from established thermal management specialists. It remains to be seen if KH바텍 can secure major design wins in these new sectors within its 2028 revenue target.
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