The future belongs to humanoid robotshumanoid robotsor at least that’s what many companies, such as Nvidia, think. Just like the carscars flying, this is a market in which competition is fierce, but where there are almost no products sold to the general public. The best known robots are Atlas from Boston Dynamics, Optimus from TeslaTeslaFigure 02 or even G1 from Unitree. And soon this list should include a model from SamsungSamsung.
The South Korean manufacturer has just announced that it has invested in Rainbow Robotics to hold a 35% stake, at an estimated cost of 267 billion KRW (176 million euros). Rainbow Robotics is a robotics company, also from South Korea, which manufactures robotic arms capable of welding, making tea or preparing ice cream; it also produces quadruped robots reminiscent of Boston Dynamics’ Spot, as well as two humanoid robots: Hubo, with legs, and RB-Y1 mounted on wheels.
Presentation of the RB-Y1 humanoid robot and a device that allows its movements to be guided remotely. © Rainbow Robotics
Accelerate the development of humanoid robots
Samsung wants to combine its experience in mattermatter software and artificial intelligence with the experience of Rainbow Robotics in order to “ to accelerate the development of advanced intelligent humanoids “. The firm has not yet announced any specific project in this area, but does not intend to limit itself solely to humanoid robots. Samsung plans to use other Rainbow Robotics robots, including collaborative and autonomous robots, to automate manufacturing and logistics. Samsung believes that these robots can become much more efficient thanks to AI.
Samsung already held 14.7% of Rainbow Robotics, after a first investment in 2023. With this new acquisition, Samsung becomes a majority shareholder. The South Korean giant says it will integrate the robotics specialist as a subsidiary, and will use its global commercial infrastructure to enable Rainbow Robotics to launch its products in overseas markets.
