Samsung Enters the Humanoid Robot Race
Samsung plans to combine its AI and software with Rainbow Robotics technology to accelerate development
Samsung has entered the humanoid robot business announcing it has become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics to “accelerate future robot development such as humanoid robots.”
In the year-end announcement, Samsung said it initially purchased a 14.7% stake in the Korean robotics company in 2023, investing nearly $59 million and now exercised a call option to raise its stake to 35%.
Additionally, Samsung said Rainbow Robotics plan to incorporate it in its consolidated financial statements.
Samsung said the collaboration would allow it to further strengthen its foundation in developing advanced robot technology.
Founded in 2011 by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s (KAIST) Humanoid Robot Research Center researchers, Rainbow Robotics developed the country’s first humanoid robot named Hubo.
“By combining Samsung Electronics’ AI and software technology with Rainbow Robotics’ robotics technology, the collaboration plans to accelerate the development of intelligent advanced humanoids,” Samsung said.
Samsung said it will use Rainbow Robotics’ robots in manufacturing and logistics.
“These robots can greatly improve their work capabilities by learning and analyzing situational data and environmental variables that occur in the field through AI algorithms,” Samsung said. “Rainbow Robotics is expected to actively enter overseas markets by utilizing Samsung’s global sales infrastructure.”
Along with the Rainbow Robotics announcement, Samsung announced it is establishing a Future Robotics Office that will report directly to the CEO and focus on robotic development including humanoids to strengthen competitiveness in emerging technologies for future robots that will evolve existing paradigms and become a major growth driver.
Founding member of Rainbow Robotics and honorary professor at KAIST Jun-Ho Oh was named to head the new office and serve as an advisor to Samsung.
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