LS Electric Deploys Boston Dynamics Spot Robots at Busan Plant

Quadruped robots join production floor

LS Electric has put two Boston Dynamics Spot robots into operational service at its Busan manufacturing plant, where they now conduct equipment monitoring and safety inspections as part of the company's smart factory initiative, according to CEO Insights Asia.

The Korean power equipment and industrial automation provider worked with Hyundai Autoever, the systems integration arm of Hyundai Motor Group, on a two-month deployment project that began in July. The robots are now performing routine duties at the facility, which manufactures ultrahigh-voltage transformers for global markets experiencing heightened demand driven by AI data center construction and power grid expansion.

Predictive maintenance through thermal and sensor data

The Spot units serve a specific role in monitoring vapor phase drying operations, a critical step in transformer production where components undergo drying in vacuum chambers. Using integrated thermal cameras, the robots inspect chamber door seals to detect heat leaks without physical contact. Onboard sensors simultaneously collect temperature, acoustic, and vibration data from pumps, motors, and control panels to flag early signs of equipment degradation.

Beyond the drying process, the robots patrol manufacturing areas to conduct AI-powered visual inspections of climate-controlled equipment. They also examine test apparatus and utility infrastructure including motors, chillers, and generators, listening and looking for anomalies that indicate potential failures.

Why it matters

This deployment represents a practical application of mobile robotics in heavy industrial settings where equipment downtime carries significant cost. By automating repetitive inspection tasks and accessing hazardous zones without exposing human workers to risk, LS Electric is building a foundation for predictive maintenance that could reduce unplanned outages. The timing aligns with surging demand for power infrastructure components as hyperscale data center operators race to secure transformer capacity—a supply chain bottleneck that makes production reliability increasingly valuable.

Expansion plans based on Busan data

LS Electric stated it will use operational data gathered at Busan to train AI analysis models, then replicate the system at other production sites in South Korea and international locations. The robots currently handle inspections in restricted or dangerous areas that would otherwise require human personnel, reducing safety exposure while maintaining oversight of critical systems.

The company positions the robot integration as part of a broader smart factory development effort aimed at improving both operational efficiency and workplace safety in facilities producing specialized electrical equipment.

These details were first reported by CEO Insights Asia.