Samsung wants to create humanoid robots that can follow complex instructions, navigate challenging environments, and interact naturally with humans.
It may not be an exaggeration to call it a humanoid season. Research activities in this sphere have intensified, and several multinational companies are placing their bets to develop their own humanoid robots.
In the latest event, Samsung Electronics has significantly increased its investment in Rainbow Robotics, a leading South Korean robotics firm.
This strategic investment elevates Samsung’s stake in the company to 35 percent, securing its position as the largest shareholder.
This action follows Samsung’s initial investment in Rainbow Robotics in 2023. This reinvestment emphasizes Samsung’s increased efforts toward developing its own humanoid robotics.
Samsung envisions developing advanced humanoid robots
Samsung’s strategy involves combining its own capabilities in artificial intelligence and software development with Rainbow Robotics’ experience in robotics.
Interestingly, Rainbow Robotics has a notable history in this field, including the creation of Hubo, Korea’s first robot that walks on two legs.
Through this partnership, Samsung intends to speed up the creation of humanoid robots with new capabilities and a level of autonomy not seen before. These robots are expected to go beyond doing simple, repetitive actions.
“Through collaboration with Rainbow Robotics, Samsung will further strengthen its foundation in the development of advanced robot technology,” said Samsung Electronics in a press release.
Developing humanoids that can follow complex instructions
Samsung aims to develop humanoid robots that can understand and follow complex instructions, move through complicated and changing environments, and interact with humans in a way that feels natural and easy to understand.
Samsung’s goals go beyond simply participating in this trend. The company plans to use Rainbow Robotics’ collaborative robots in its own factories.
These robots are made to work safely alongside human workers, increasing efficiency and the amount of work that can be done. Samsung also sees potential for these robots to be used in the movement of goods and other parts of its business.
“Samsung plans to utilize Rainbow Robotics’ collaborative robots, dual-arm mobile manipulator and autonomous mobile robots for manufacturing and logistics automation tasks,” concluded the press release.
“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.”
Rainbow Robotics has a solid background in robotics research. It started in 2011, growing out of the humanoid robot research center at the Korea Advanced Institution of Science and Technology (KAIST).
Growing trend of humanoid robot development
Samsung’s investment reflects a pattern in the technology industry where several leading companies are working on projects related to humanoid robots.
Elon Musk’s Tesla currently seems to be leading the race with its robot called Optimus. Recently, Tesla shared a video wherein its Optimus robot could be seen autonomously climbing hills and walking on uneven terrain.
According to reports, OpenAI is also planning to develop its own line of humanoid robots. Such reports have emerged following the success of OpenAI-backed Figure’s humanoid robots, which have been employed at BMW’s assembly plant in South Carolina.
Earlier, Microsoft collaborated with Vancouver-based Sanctuary AI to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoid robots. In addition, Nvidia is creating computer chips made specifically for humanoid robots. Even China’s automaker giant BYD is also planning to launch its humanoid robots.
