Innovation in business rarely begins at the center. Just as digital transformation and sustainability once evolved from back-office ideas to boardroom imperatives, warehouse automation is now emerging from a tactical fix into a strategic growth lever.
Exotec, a French robotics unicorn, reached a $2 billion valuation in 2022—the first industrial startup in France to do so. But its significance goes beyond technology. It marked a shift in how logistics is perceived: not as a cost center, but as a driver of competitive advantage.
Why Korea, and Why Now?
In June 2025, Exotec opened its second Asian demo center near Seoul. This was no coincidence. Korea's logistics market is among the world's most complex—regulated, expensive, and highly demanding. For many, it's a no-go zone.
But Ryu Tatewaki, Exotec's APAC Managing Director, sees it differently: "Korea's constraints are catalysts for innovation. Dense urban environments, limited space, and demanding SLAs create the perfect use case for our Skypod system."
Rather than shy away from complexity, Exotec leans in—with a strategy built on turning friction into opportunity. In the words of Peter Drucker: "The greatest opportunity for innovation often lies where no one expects it."
Redefining Automation as Partnership
At the core of Exotec's solution is the Skypod: a modular robotics system that climbs up to 14 meters, integrates picking and buffering, and fits within existing warehouse footprints. But the value proposition goes far deeper.