Samsung is about to become a major manufacturer of robots for home and industry

Samsung Electronics has significantly increased its stake in robotics developer Rainbow Robotics, making the latter a subsidiary. Samsung considers the development of intelligent robotics one of its priorities for the coming years and has made a strategic decision to strengthen its position in this segment through cooperation with an experienced developer.

Image source: Rainbow Robotics

According to South Korean sources, Samsung Electronics invested 267.5 billion won ($181.75 million) in Rainbow Robotics. Samsung first invested in Rainbow Robotics in 2023, acquiring 14.71% of its shares for 86.8 billion won ($60 million). The additional investment increased Samsung’s stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35%, making Samsung the robotics company’s largest shareholder and allowing it to include its financial statements in its corporate reports.

Rainbow Robotics was founded in 2011 by a research group at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology led by Professor Oh Jun-ho, known for creating Korea’s first bipedal humanoid robot, Hubo, in 2005. After the new investment, Professor Oh Junho’s stake in the company decreased from 17.37% to 7.78%.

In parallel, Samsung has created a team of developers of future robotics, which reports directly to the CEO. This will allow the company to tap into the growth potential of the robotics market. In September, Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee said the company would focus on medical technology, robots, electronic components for automobiles and environmentally friendly air conditioners, predicting “strong growth” in these areas. At CES 2024, he also highlighted Samsung’s intentions to develop intelligent robots that can coexist with humans thanks to advanced artificial intelligence features.

In May 2023, Samsung’s in-house robotics group was restructured to improve efficiency. After obtaining a leading stake in Rainbow Robotics, its head will lead the group while remaining subordinate to Samsung’s CEO.

Samsung plans to use Rainbow Robotics robots to automate production, logistics and other processes. These robots will be equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze situational data, which will expand their functionality. Rainbow Robotics, in turn, will be able to use Samsung’s global sales infrastructure to expand into international markets.

Rainbow Robotics’ developments include collaborative robots, dual-arm robots, autonomous mobile robots, and humanoid robots. For example, the RB-Y1 robot with two “arms” has already been tested for the production of Samsung chips and household appliances.

Next year, the company will introduce an upgraded ball-shaped home robot, Ballie, equipped with artificial intelligence. Rainbow Robotics will improve this model. Ballie will become an intermediary between a person and a smart home, performing the functions of a mobile remote control with AI and a built-in projector.