SK Telecom Spearheads Global Standardization Initiatives for Robotics Data and Physical AI

South Korea’s telecommunications leader, SK Telecom, is leveraging its expertise in digital twin technology to influence the global landscape of physical AI. During a recent meeting of the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) in Geneva, a new project proposed by the company was officially accepted for development. This initiative focuses on the Robot Data Factory, a framework designed to streamline how information is produced and utilized for training intelligent machines, including humanoid robots.

Historically, the robotics industry has struggled with fragmented data formats and incompatible communication interfaces. Because different manufacturers and software platforms use unique systems, sharing the high-quality training information necessary for complex tasks—such as object manipulation and tool usage—has been difficult. The absence of a uniform standard has hindered the assembly of large-scale datasets required for sophisticated AI learning. SKT’s proposal aims to solve these interoperability issues by establishing a clear structure for interconnecting various systems.

The proposed framework organizes the Robot Data Factory into five distinct layers: service, robot models and data, infrastructure, devices, and management. By defining how these layers interact, the standard will enable different robots and platforms to connect, swap, or expand their functions with greater ease. This moves beyond the company's previous work with SK Hynix in manufacturing-focused AI, shifting those digital twin capabilities toward a broader robotics learning platform.

By securing this project within ITU-T’s Study Group 11, SK Telecom seeks to bridge the gap between virtual simulation and real-world application. The company plans to integrate these standards into its upcoming digital twin robot training platform, scheduled for release later this year. This move is intended to foster a more robust ecosystem by encouraging collaboration among international AI firms and research centers. According to SKT executives, this leadership in international standardization is a direct result of the company's long-term investments in data management and artificial intelligence.

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Read original at SK Telecom Newsroom.