Seoul, South Korea – October 29, 2026 – UEL Co., Ltd., a deep-tech robotics developer specializing in unmanned planetary surface exploration, today announced that it will showcase its flagship 2 kg ultra-compact lunar rover, Scarab, alongside its space-grade avionics systems at Web Summit 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, targeting commercial lunar lander providers and global space exploration agencies.
A New Chapter in Planetary Robotics
UEL originated as a family company under the STAR-Exploration project of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), focusing entirely on building autonomous rovers capable of surviving harsh planetary environments. Moving beyond basic payload integration, the company has established an extensive product portfolio that includes the ultra-compact rover Scarab, the mid-sized rover Haetae, the modular platform Ankylo, and a specialized Deployable Rover featuring foldable wheels co-developed with KAIST.
The cornerstone of UEL’s technological edge lies in its complete in-house development of all critical subsystems: lightweight chassis structures, space-grade battery packs, RF communication modules, high-resolution imaging payloads, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), and central onboard computers (OBCs). The proprietary OBC controls cameras, inertial measurement units (IMUs), brushless drive motors, communications, and power distribution within a single computer, engineered with a conduction-cooled architecture optimized for ultra-low power consumption. Backed by more than 13 patents, UEL has successfully executed technology transfers with both KARI and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute.
Core Architecture and Features of Scarab
Weighing just 2 kg (1.7 kg net chassis with a 0.3 kg dedicated scientific payload allowance) and measuring 285 × 254 × 194 mm, Scarab is a two-wheeled lunar rover designed to overcome the structural limits of legacy micro-explorers:
• 168-Hour Extended Operational Lifespan: Unlike existing micro-rovers that rely entirely on non-rechargeable internal batteries and shut down after 2 to 6 hours, Scarab incorporates a space-grade solar array that recharges during the lunar day, delivering up to 168 hours of continuous operation.
• Wheel-Locked Body-Tilt Imaging: The rover utilizes a mechanical body-tilting structure that adjusts camera angles while keeping its drive wheels locked to the surface, reducing the physical repositioning distance required for wide-angle panoramic mapping by 67%.
• Impact-Absorbing Mesh-Grouser Wheels: Hemispherical elastic mesh wheels enclose the chassis, dispersing drop-impact loads upon landing without requiring bulky external roll-cages.
• GPS-Free Autonomous Visual Odometry: Dual stereo cameras paired with onboard edge AI perform real-time localization, hazard detection, and path planning directly on the rover, completely independent of external satellite navigation networks.
Demonstrated Flight Heritage and Extreme Environmental Testing
UEL’s avionics and hardware reliability have been validated through orbital flight heritage and rigorous ground qualification campaigns. The company participated as a joint development partner for the COSMIC CubeSat launched aboard South Korea’s Nuri rocket, completing in-orbit operational verification of its proprietary OBC and ESC. Following the successful 5th launch of the Nuri rocket, ground communication was established with UELYSYS—a proprietary CubeSat co-developed with Yonsei University—which will begin missions to conduct advanced space-environment validation of UEL’s next-generation robotics control systems and communications arrays.
On the ground, Scarab has completed thermal vacuum testing in space-grade vacuum chambers (10^-5 torr, -170°C to +130°C), 14.1 Grms launch vibration testing, 50 krad total ionizing dose radiation testing, high-impact drop tests, and mobility trials on synthetic lunar regolith testbeds. Leveraging these facilities, UEL also provides space payload qualification services for commercial electronics giants, including LG Electronics and LG Innotek. To accelerate its roadmap, UEL secured KRW 12.1 billion in a pre-Series A funding round.
“In the commercial space sector, flight heritage and rigorous environmental validation are the absolute benchmarks for mission adoption,” said Jaeho Lee, CEO of UEL Co., Ltd. “Scarab proves that a micro-rover can survive extreme thermal shifts, navigate loose regolith, and provide continuous multi-day operations without sacrificing mobility or payload capacity. Web Summit 2026 provides a platform to present our verified space robotics technologies directly to commercial lander operators, national agencies, and scientific payload developers worldwide.”
Global Commercial Mission Roadmap
UEL is advancing technical discussions and formal contract negotiations with commercial lunar lander providers, including Blue Origin and ispace, to secure payload berths for upcoming lunar landing missions. Because planetary surface demand is mission-based rather than bound to geographical borders, UEL targets lander operators seeking micro-payload integrations as well as research institutions requiring cost-effective surface imagery and geological survey data.
Beginning in 2027, UEL plans to deploy pre-Series A capital to finance dedicated lander payload slots, to execute regular lunar exploration missions, and to license surface imaging and terrain datasets to commercial customers. By 2029, the company will advance the technical readiness levels of its Haetae and Ankylo platforms, while expanding its business model to supply flight-proven OBCs, ESCs, and space avionics directly to international satellite builders and launch vehicle integrators.
About UEL Co., Ltd.
UEL Co., Ltd. is a South Korean deep-tech space robotics company that designs and manufactures autonomous lunar exploration rovers and space-grade avionics. Leveraging in-house engineering across chassis design, power distribution, motor controllers, and onboard computers, UEL develops micro- to medium-sized rovers, including Scarab, Haetae, and Ankylo. Through orbital CubeSat missions and strategic partnerships with commercial lunar lander providers, UEL is building the foundational mobile infrastructure for sustainable deep-space exploration.
Press Contact
Sanghyun Cho, PR Manager
UEL Co., Ltd.
Email: sanghyun.cho@uel.co.kr
Phone: +82-10-3424-0850 / +82-2-468-7088
Website: www.uel.co.kr
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