Samsung Electronics announced today that it will become Rainbow Robotics’ largest shareholder in order to accelerate the development of future robots such as humanoid robots. Samsung first invested 86.8 billion won in 2023 to acquire a 14.7% stake in the South Korean company, then exercised a call option to increase its stake to 35%. Rainbow Robotics will also be included as a subsidiary in Samsung Electronics’ consolidated financial statements.
Through cooperation with Rainbow Robotics, Samsung will further strengthen its foundation in the development of advanced robot technology. Rainbow Robotics was founded in 2011 by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Humanoid Robot Research Center, which developed South Korea’s first bipedal robot, Hubo.
The partnership plans to accelerate the development of intelligent and advanced humanoids by combining Samsung Electronics’ AI and software technology with Rainbow Robotics’ robotics technology.
To strengthen its leadership in the global business of advanced robots, Samsung also plans to establish the Rainbow Robotics and Synergy Council, which will develop future robotics technologies and core business strategies, identify and evaluate markets. It is expected that this will serve as a bridge to promote the growth of both companies. request.
Through this partnership, Samsung will utilize Rainbow Robotics’ collaborative robots, dual-arm mobile manipulators, and autonomous mobile robots for automation tasks in manufacturing and logistics. These robots can significantly improve their work capabilities by learning and analyzing situational data and environmental variables occurring in the field through AI algorithms. Rainbow Robotics is expected to take advantage of Samsung’s global sales infrastructure and aggressively enter overseas markets.
Establishment of future robotics room
Samsung also established a Future Robotics Office, which reports directly to the CEO. The office focuses on the development of future robots, including humanoid robots, with the aim of advancing the current paradigm and ensuring a competitive edge in new technologies for future robots, turning them into major growth engines. I’m going.
Dr. Oh Jun-ho, a founding member of Rainbow Robotics and professor emeritus at KAIST, will serve as an advisor to Samsung and head of the Future Robotics Office after leaving Rainbow Robotics. With his deep experience in industry-academia collaboration, Dr. Oh will provide robotics technology and business expertise to Samsung’s future robot development.
