MakinaRocks: The "only domestic AI company" capable of supplying predictive maintenance solutions to global robotics manufacturers like KUKA and Yaskawa

Partnering with Device Insight, a subsidiary of the world-renowned German automation group KUKA, to co-develop predictive maintenance and industrial LLM solutions for machinery and equipment 

[Munich / Seoul – 22. January 2025] MakinaRocks, a leading industrial AI company (CEO: Sungho Yoon), announced on the 22nd that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Device Insight, a subsidiary of the global industrial robotics and automation supplier KUKA, and a specialist in IoT and data analytics. 

Through this partnership, the two companies aim to accelerate the adoption of AI solutions tailored to manufacturing environments. Their goal is to significantly advance the practical implementation of AI on production floors, covering everything from data collection and data governance to the development of custom algorithms and AI agents. 

In particular, the partnership will focus on co-developing AI-based predictive maintenance solutions and industrial large language models (LLMs) optimized for KUKA's world-class industrial robots. These solutions will also be supplied to manufacturing companies across Europe. 

Device Insight brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in industrial IoT, data engineering, and data-driven process optimization. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company supports global clients, including Gerolsteiner, COSTA in digitizing and optimizing their production environments through a data-driven factory approach. 

MakinaRocks is a company that provides AI solutions optimized for various industries through its proprietary AI platform, Runway. It is the only domestic AI company capable of developing and supplying predictive maintenance solutions for robots(*) from more than four global robotics manufacturers. 

Beyond the field of industrial robotics, MakinaRocks integrates domain-specific expertise with AI agents to revolutionize manufacturing across the board—from autonomous process operations to enterprise-wide workflow optimization. Since its establishment in 2017, MakinaRocks has implemented over 5,000 industry-specific AI models and serves major global manufacturing clients, including Samsung, Applied Materials, Hanwha, Hyundai, GS, LG, and SK. 

“Implementing Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Stefan Hübner, CEO of Device Insight. “Every production environment, with its heterogeneous machinery, equipment, and systems, is unique. To successfully realize AI applications that provide long-term value to customers, you need industry and IT experience, and deep expertise in AI and data. With MakinaRocks, we’ve found a partner that perfectly complements our core competencies.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with Device Insight, a company recognized for its extensive expertise in industrial digitalization and its deep understanding of manufacturing. This collaboration creates exciting opportunities to engage with European leaders, including Germany, a global leader in manufacturing,” said Andre S. Yoon, CEO of MakinaRocks. “With our industrial AI technology, MakinaRocks will support manufacturers in seamlessly adopting optimized AI solutions across their value chains and accelerating AI Transformation (AX) for lasting impact.” 

About Device Insight
Device Insight has been supporting companies in digitalization for over 20 years, focusing on the Internet of Things, Analytics, and AI. The Munich-based company specializes in the global connectivity and smartification of machines, vehicles, systems, and devices, implementing applications in areas such as data collection, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, data analytics, machine learning, and AI. Leveraging a flexible framework, Device Insight combines proprietary software modules, system integration, and software development to deliver tailored Digital & Data Solutions. The company operates in over 15 countries, collaborating with large enterprises and medium-sized businesses across industries such as machinery and plant engineering, HVAC, commercial vehicles, vending, transportation, energy, and healthcare. Since 2019, Device Insight has been a subsidiary of KUKA, a leading specialist in automation.

About MakinaRocks
Founded in 2017, MakinaRocks has offices in Seoul and Silicon Valley, with a new Tokyo office set to open in April. As of January 2025, the company employs around 120 people, 75% of whom are technical staff. MakinaRocks serves as an AI partner to leading global manufacturers—Applied Materials, GS, Hanwha, Hyundai, LG, Samsung, and SK—that are also strategic investors. In 2023, MakinaRocks was the only company worldwide selected for the manufacturing category of CB Insights’ “AI 100,” an annual list of the top 100 global AI startups. The company is also recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Global Innovator and Technology Pioneer. In South Korea, MakinaRocks is a key member of the $1.8 billion-funded “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Alliance” and has been selected as one of the “Defense Innovation Company 100” for providing defense-specific AI platform.