On a sunny late May morning in Daejeon, South Korea, the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the doors of Seongsimdang, the city’s most beloved bakery. But behind the comforting aroma and the busy counter, something quietly revolutionary was underway. This wasn’t just another day at Seongsimdang—it was a landmark moment for both the bakery and for South Korea’s manufacturing sector.
On May 27, 2026, Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Industry and Trade, paid a visit to Seongsimdang to see first-hand the bakery’s new ‘AI Factory’ demonstration site—a bold experiment in marrying tradition with cutting-edge technology. According to Robot News, the minister’s visit was part of a broader government push to highlight real-world examples of manufacturing innovation that ordinary citizens can see and, perhaps, taste for themselves.
Seongsimdang, a household name in Daejeon for decades, has long been known for its signature fried soboro—a sweet, crunchy bread that’s a local favorite. But making it has always been a labor-intensive process, especially in the frying stage, where heat and steam create tough working conditions for employees. That’s where the new project comes in. Teaming up with Intertek, a leading manufacturing AI and robotics solutions company, Seongsimdang set out to automate the most grueling parts of the process, from dough input and product transfer to frying and packaging.
“This project is more than just automating a few steps,” said an Intertek spokesperson, as reported by Robot News. “It’s about bringing AI and robotics into the heart of food manufacturing, so that the benefits of innovation aren’t just felt in high-tech factories, but in everyday products that people love.”
The automation system Intertek designed and installed is a marvel in itself. It starts with robots that handle the dough, ensuring every batch is consistent. Next, collaborative robots—sometimes called ‘cobots’—transfer the products through the frying process, all the while minimizing human exposure to the heat and steam that have long challenged bakery workers. Finally, the system handles packaging, making sure each fried soboro is ready for customers with minimal human intervention.
The results have been striking. Not only has productivity increased, but the work environment has improved dramatically. Employees now face less exposure to heat and fumes, making their jobs safer and more comfortable. “We wanted to reduce the workload caused by heat and steam during frying, and create a safer, more pleasant workplace,” said a Seongsimdang representative, echoing the sentiments of many on the bakery floor. The consistency of the product has also improved, with AI-based quality judgment systems ensuring that every fried soboro meets the bakery’s high standards.
What sets this project apart is its scope. While automation in manufacturing isn’t new, combining AI-based quality control with robotic automation in a traditional food setting is rare. Intertek CEO Kim Jin-hoon explained that the company drew on expertise honed in sectors like automotive parts, electronics, and machine vision inspection to bring these advanced technologies to the food industry. According to Robot News, Kim Jin-hoon saw the project as a way to expand the reach of manufacturing AI: “By applying proven AI vision and robotic automation technology from manufacturing to the food sector, we’re expanding the application scope of manufacturing AI technology.”
The system isn’t just a collection of robots working in isolation. It’s a tightly integrated network where AI and robotics cooperate, constantly analyzing manufacturing data to improve efficiency and maintain quality. The project is a textbook example of what the government calls Manufacturing AI Transformation, or M.AX—a strategy designed to push AI adoption beyond Korea’s traditional industrial strongholds like semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, and into sectors that touch people’s daily lives, such as food and services.
Minister Kim’s visit to Seongsimdang was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a signal that the government views projects like this as central to its vision for the future of Korean industry. “Manufacturing AI is moving beyond advanced manufacturing and into industries that citizens can experience in their everyday lives,” said a Ministry of Industry and Trade official during the visit, as reported by Robot News. The ministry’s M.AX strategy aims to make Korea a global leader in AI-powered manufacturing, not just in heavy industry but across the entire economy.
For Seongsimdang, the benefits are already tangible. Productivity is up, working conditions are better, and the bakery’s reputation for quality is as strong as ever. The company’s willingness to embrace change—while staying true to its roots—has made it a model for others. “This is a meaningful example of manufacturing AI transformation,” said an Intertek spokesperson. “It shows how AI and robotics can work together to improve efficiency and enable continuous quality improvement based on manufacturing data.”
There’s a human side to all this, too. For the bakers, the change has meant less drudgery and more focus on what they do best: crafting delicious treats for their community. For customers, it means the fried soboro they love is just as good as ever—if not better. And for the city of Daejeon, it’s a point of pride to see a local company leading the way in a national movement.
Looking ahead, both Seongsimdang and Intertek are optimistic. The bakery plans to continue refining its processes, and Intertek hopes to bring similar solutions to other industries. “We will continue to contribute to productivity improvement and better working conditions in various industries through smart manufacturing innovation using AI and robotics,” the Intertek spokesperson added.
As South Korea pushes forward with its M.AX strategy, the story of Seongsimdang serves as a reminder that even the most traditional businesses can find new life through innovation. Sometimes, the future of manufacturing is found not in a gleaming high-tech factory, but in the familiar warmth of a neighborhood bakery—where robots and bakers work side by side to make something truly special.