[For more diverse corporate information on the startups mentioned in this article, please visit the Unicorn Factory big data platform 'Data Lab'.]
"Future warfare will be robot warfare. Bone AI is building the physical AI infrastructure that forms its backbone."
Lee Do-kyung, CEO of Bone AI (hereinafter referred to as Bone), described the company as an enterprise creating a "drone kill chain," stating this. The company explains it is not merely a simple drone (hardware) manufacturer but a full-stack physical AI company that builds the AI (artificial intelligence) brain and command and control (C2) operating programs that control them.
Specifically, the company is developing an anti-drone system to detect, track, and intercept enemy drones through AI-based swarm drones and an integrated command and control system. The plan is to eventually build an AI command system where a single operator can simultaneously control multiple unmanned vehicles.
"If first-generation entrepreneurs built the backbone of South Korea's current industry, now physical AI combining AI, robots, and drones will become the core infrastructure for future warfare," said Lee (CEO), adding, "Bone AI aims to become a company that builds the physical AI infrastructure that will form the backbone of future warfare."
The company name 'Bone' also reflects the ambition to create the 'backbone' of the upcoming era of physical AI.
"AI will ultimately manifest in the physical world"... Glimpsing the Era of Physical AI from MarkVision
After studying business administration at Cornell University in the United States and serving as a helicopter crew member in the Army Aviation Brigade, Lee Do-kyung accidentally read the autobiography 'Born to This Land' by Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Group. This experience became the catalyst for Lee (CEO) to dream of entrepreneurship during his twenties.
The explanation is that even in an environment lacking capital and technology, the process of building the shipbuilding and automotive industries felt like more than just a business; it seemed like creating entirely new industries themselves.
Subsequently, he co-founded MarkVision, believing AI would become the core technology of future industries. MarkVision is a global intellectual property (IP) protection startup that uses AI vision technology to detect and block counterfeit goods and illegal distribution content online.
"By visiting clients directly, I realized that for AI to advance, a supply chain ecosystem supporting everything from semiconductors to data centers is essential," said Lee (CEO).
Having spent about four years at MarkVision and reading the changes in the AI industry ecosystem, Lee (CEO) "judged that AI would eventually expand into an era of 'physical AI' entering the real world." He added, "To achieve this, a full-stack strategy encompassing not just simple AI models but also hardware, sensors, and command systems is necessary." This insight became the foundation for Bone's current business direction and operating philosophy.
Less than a year after establishment, 3 billion won in sales... "Defense innovation ultimately relies on startups"
Although established less than a year ago, Bone has recorded 3 billion won in sales and is quickly establishing its presence within the conservative defense industry market.
A representative example is the AI-based forest fire monitoring project operating in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Using drones equipped with AI models and thermal imaging cameras, Bone flies across specific areas on a 24-hour rotating schedule to monitor signs of forest fires in real time. Specifically, abnormal heat sources detected by thermal imaging cameras or smoke signals captured by vision cameras are immediately transmitted to the ground command center. The company develops the necessary hardware and software for this process itself, and the detection information is shared in real time with fire departments and local government officials, speeding up initial response times.
The case of stably operating such large-scale projects for the government and local governments will serve as an important reference for future entry into the military market.
The background to Bone's ability to achieve results so quickly lies in its acquisition of Dimaker, which possessed drone manufacturing and demonstration capabilities during the early stages of establishment, thereby securing a production base and existing track record.
"Dimaker's manufacturing and demonstration capabilities combined with Bone's AI technology and architecture design expertise are generating synergies," explained Lee (CEO).
Based on this growth trend, in November last year, Bone raised $12 million (approximately 17 billion won) led by U.S. venture capital firm Third Prime. Currently, it is proceeding with a seed extension round of approximately 40 to 50 billion won, with DS Investment Partners committing $20 million (approximately 30 billion won) and leading this round. The company plans to finalize the investment fundraising by the end of this month. The company expects that if this extension round concludes at the target scale, it will become the largest seed-stage investment case in a domestic startup's history.
Recently, Bang San-hyeop-ui (Chairman) has taken on the role of Korea Startup Forum, taking the lead in expanding market entry for domestic defense startups.
"Through the war between Ukraine and Russia and recent Middle East conflicts, drone threats have become a reality," said Lee (CEO), predicting that "future warfare will ultimately be robot warfare."
The explanation is that instead of human soldiers, intelligent drones and land, sea, and underwater robots will carry out reconnaissance, defense, and attack missions, and the battlefield is shifting toward a direction where a small number of commanders integrate and operate these unmanned systems across land, sea, and air.
"The core of future security depends on securing production capabilities and ecosystems to mass-produce drones and robots quickly and supply them stably," said Lee (CEO), adding, "Ultimately, the entity that makes this possible is a startup with rapid innovation capabilities." He further added, "Bone wants to contribute to South Korea establishing itself as a core production hub for future warfare."
"[MoneyToday Startup Media Platform Unicorn Factory]"
in FUTURE
