LIG Nex1, a South Korean defense company, has acquired a majority stake in U.S.-based Ghost Robotics in a deal worth $240 million. The acquisition, completed on Saturday, valued Ghost Robotics at about $400 million. Ghost Robotics, founded in 2015 as a spinoff of the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in developing four-legged robot “dogs” for defense and enterprise applications. The company’s robots can operate in various terrains and have been deployed by military and government agencies in several countries.
The investment in Ghost Robotics is seen as a significant move for LIG Nex1, as it aligns with the growing focus on unmanned, digital, and automation technologies in the military sector. The robotics industry has been experiencing growth, partly driven by the automation of tasks that are dirty, difficult, or dangerous for human workers. This investment comes at a time when labor shortages are becoming more pronounced in South Korea due to record-low birth rates, making automation solutions increasingly important for various industries.
LIG Nex1, the defense arm of LIG Group, has a history dating back to its spinoff from LG in 1999. LIG Group is chaired by Koo Bon-sang, a distant cousin of LG Group’s chairman, Koo Kwang-mo. The acquisition of Ghost Robotics reflects LIG Nex1’s strategic focus on expanding its capabilities in the robotics space. The company’s investment in Ghost Robotics is part of a broader trend in South Korea, where other major companies such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor have also made significant investments in robotics companies.
Boston Dynamics, another leading robotics company that manufactures quadruped robots, has filed lawsuits against Ghost Robotics for alleged patent infringement. Ghost Robotics has pushed back against these claims, describing them as “obstructive and baseless.” The legal disputes between the two companies highlight the competitive nature of the robotics industry and the importance of intellectual property protection in this rapidly evolving sector.
Overall, LIG Nex1’s acquisition of a majority stake in Ghost Robotics represents a strategic move for the South Korean company to enhance its capabilities in the rapidly growing robotics industry. The investment in Ghost Robotics aligns with the broader trend of companies in South Korea and elsewhere venturing into the robotics space to address labor shortages and drive innovation in automation technologies. As the demand for unmanned, digital, and automation solutions continues to rise, companies like LIG Nex1 are positioning themselves to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this evolving landscape.
