At the bustling Korea International Logistics Exhibition (KOREA MAT 2026) held on April 10, 2026, visitors were greeted with a vision of the future: a logistics industry transformed by artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital innovation. From three-dimensional multi-shuttle robots scaling towering racks to ultra-low temperature shuttles operating seamlessly at -30°C, the event was a showcase of how technology is rewriting the rules of warehouse management, supply chain efficiency, and workplace safety.
The exhibition served as a meeting ground for global tech leaders and Korean innovators, all eager to address the sector’s most pressing challenges—labor shortages, constrained warehouse space, and persistent safety risks. According to KLNews, a dazzling array of solutions were on display, each targeting these pain points with precision and creativity.
Among the standout technologies was the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery presented by Geummun Trading, a product of partnership with CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer. These batteries, as KLNews reported, have already been installed in over 30,000 units domestically without a single fire incident—an impressive feat in an industry where safety is paramount. The LFP batteries are heavier than their NCM counterparts but offer superior thermal stability, drastically reducing fire risk and making them especially attractive for logistics centers where safety can never be compromised.
For companies seeking to optimize operations without heavy investment, Near Solution’s NearGo system offered a compelling answer. This hardware-less picking solution transforms standard racks and carts into smart workstations using only tablets. Artificial intelligence calculates and visualizes optimal picking routes, improving accuracy and slashing travel distances regardless of worker experience. The simplicity and efficiency of this approach, as highlighted by KLNews, drew considerable attention from small and mid-sized warehouse operators.
Not to be outdone, Dematic unveiled its MultiShuttle FD system, developed specifically for the Asia-Pacific market. Dispensing with the need for floor rails, the rack-supported structure shortens installation times and cuts costs, all while delivering high-speed throughput—up to 1,000 cases per hour—and supporting loads of up to 50 kilograms. With the ability to build racks over 20 meters high, this system is tailor-made for environments where real estate comes at a premium and labor is in short supply.
The march of robotics was further evident with LOGISALL’s demonstration of the Rocky One, a mobile manipulation robot developed by XYZ Robotics. Unlike stationary robots, Rocky One brings remarkable mobility and autonomy to the warehouse floor, supporting box transport and palletizing with consistent performance. Its AI-powered 3D vision system allows it to recognize and move boxes of varying sizes in real time, handling loads up to 30 kilograms. As KLNews noted, this innovation points toward a future where hazardous and physically demanding tasks are increasingly automated, enhancing both safety and productivity.
Space efficiency is another frontier being conquered. SRi’s four-way shuttle rack system enables shuttles to move pallets in all directions within the rack, maximizing storage density and allowing for both FIFO (first-in, first-out) and LIFO (last-in, first-out) inventory management. Even in freezing environments down to -30°C, these systems operate flawlessly, making them ideal for the burgeoning cold chain logistics sector.
Eco-friendly packaging also took center stage with Solvus’s PA-100, the first fully automated paper bag packaging system in Korea. By automating what was once a labor-intensive process, the PA-100 can handle up to 500 items per hour, integrating barcode scanning and real-time warehouse management system (WMS) connectivity to virtually eliminate shipping errors. Compact and equipped with multiple safety features, it’s a win for both productivity and sustainability.
Sorting and picking saw a leap forward with Aitec Korea’s Flash Sorter 3.0, which, when paired with humanoid robots, can process up to 2,000 pieces per hour in a footprint as small as 30 square meters. The company claims labor and operating costs can be reduced by up to 70%, with return on investment achievable in just one or two years—a game-changer for logistics operators facing rising wages and tight margins.
EXOTEC, a French logistics solutions provider, wowed attendees with its Skypod system. These robots can zip horizontally across the warehouse floor and then scale racks up to 14 meters high to retrieve items, processing over 600 lines per station per hour. Designed with in-rack sprinkler compatibility, Skypod addresses the ever-present concern of fire safety in high-rise automated warehouses.
Supply chain intelligence is also evolving rapidly. Willog, an AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) company, introduced its Willog Intelligence platform, which merges environmental sensor data with weather and traffic information. By predicting potential risks before they materialize, Willog’s AI assistant helps companies preempt losses and optimize logistics strategies. The company also launched Willog Insurance, aiming to provide a comprehensive risk management solution for logistics operators.
On the mobility front, KN Robotics, via its subsidiary DSP Korea, showcased the "Follow me" AMR (autonomous mobile robot) for goods-to-person picking. Instead of workers trekking through vast warehouses, the robot autonomously navigates to the item’s location, waiting for the worker to pick and load it. This collaborative model, supported by advanced real-time obstacle avoidance, dramatically reduces unnecessary movement and boosts efficiency.
Meanwhile, KOFAS introduced the Auto Cab, a domestically engineered shuttle solution that improves throughput by assigning a shuttle to each rack level. This design not only accelerates loading and unloading but also lowers adoption costs and enhances maintenance responsiveness compared to imported systems. As a KOFAS spokesperson put it, "We’re moving beyond simply importing products—Auto Cab is our own design, providing the most cost-effective and powerful automated warehouse solution for Korean companies."
Electric vehicles are making inroads, too. Tata Daewoo Mobility presented the GIXEN, a 2.5-ton electric truck with a range exceeding 250 kilometers per charge and rapid charging capabilities. With a payload capacity of up to 3.7 tons and robust climbing ability, the GIXEN is poised to replace traditional diesel trucks, supporting a cleaner, more adaptable logistics fleet.
Cold chain logistics, vital for pharmaceuticals and vaccines, received a boost with Toprun Cold Chain Solution’s SAFETAiNER 50L. This high-performance system can maintain precise temperatures between 2°C and 8°C for up to 72 hours, ensuring sensitive goods remain safe during transit. The company’s unique expertise in designing and manufacturing EPS and EPP packaging and coolants sets it apart in an increasingly demanding market.
In the realm of smart buildings, TrustA&C is reimagining the logistics center as an integrated operational infrastructure. Its AI Building solution constructs 30-40 meter-high shuttle rack structures first, then adds the exterior, maximizing vertical storage and streamlining automation from the design phase onward.
As the industry races ahead, new challengers are emerging. According to TJB, Daejeon-based Twiny is making waves with its Nareugo 60 autonomous robot, which uses proprietary localization technology to navigate warehouses without the need for external markers. Founded in 2015 at KAIST and recognized as a promising SME, Twiny leverages local R&D talent and plans to go public in 2026. CEO Chun Young-seok told TJB, "We’ve demonstrated our technical strengths in the market, and based on these references, we aim to expand overseas and supply a variety of robots, with an IPO planned for this year." Twiny’s ambitions include extending its AI software technology to diverse physical AI domains, further accelerating the pace of logistics innovation.
From Daejeon’s robotics labs to the cavernous exhibition halls of KOREA MAT 2026, the logistics sector is clearly in the midst of a digital revolution. With each breakthrough—whether in robotics, energy, supply chain intelligence, or eco-friendly packaging—the industry edges closer to a future where efficiency, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand.