The Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) is one of Korea’s well-recognized technological and educational institutions. Based in Pohang, South Korea, POSTECH is home to a number of robotic innovations and projects.
Founded in 1986 by Park Tae-Joon, the CEO of the world’s leading steel producers, POSCO, this private university focuses on research and education in the field of science and technology. Following its establishment, POSTECH became the country’s first research-oriented university. In 2012 and 2013, the university was ranked first in the Times Higher Education's rankings of “100 under 50 Young Universities.”
Currently, POSTECH offers various courses in its 11 undergraduate departments and 22 graduate programs, including five professional schools. In order to maintain high educational standards, a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 is strictly observed, allowing the school to work closely with its students.
Furthermore, POSTECH has various research institutions, centers and facilities to improve the experience of its students. These include the Korean Institute of Robot and Convergence or KIRO.
Researchers at KIRO have already developed a special robot that can detect when a diaper has been soiled, alert nurses, and can even purify and sterilize the air. This robot is called the KIRO-M5 robot and was developed in 2011. It stands 3.28 feet tall, weighs approximately 176 lbs., and is equipped with obstacle detecting sensors and ultrasonic range finders.
