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As we’ve previously predicted, more tech companies will be joining the AI race to build humanoid robots this year. This includes Samsung Electronics, which announced on Tuesday (Dec. 31) that it will become the largest shareholder of the South Korean firm Rainbow Robotics in a bid to “accelerate future robot development.”
Samsung first acquired a 14.7% stake in the company in 2023 but has now increased its stake to 35%. The multinational corporation appears to be competing with the likes of Tesla and Figure, which have both already developed functional humanoid robots.
Samsung Electronics To Become Largest Shareholder in Rainbow Robotics Accelerating Future Robot Developmenthttps://t.co/exyGHqgFhR
— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) January 2, 2025
Samsung states it is teaming up with Rainbow Robotics to step up its game in advanced robot technology. Rainbow Robotics, founded in 2011 by researchers from KAIST’s Humanoid Robot Research Center, is known for creating “Hubo,” Korea’s first two-legged walking robot.
In a press release, the company added that by combining its AI and software with Rainbow Robotics’ technology, “the collaboration plans to accelerate the development of intelligent advanced humanoids.”
The partnership is said to be all about tapping into their innovative tech for manufacturing and logistics. They plan to use Rainbow Robotics’ collaborative robots, dual-arm mobile manipulators, and autonomous mobile robots to automate tasks more efficiently.
🚨 Korean giant commits the robots!@Samsung has increased its stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35%, making it its largest shareholder. 📈
Founded in 2011 by researchers from KAIST’s Humanoid Robot Research Center, Rainbow Robotics gained recognition with Hubo, the bipedal robot… pic.twitter.com/3ixzQ0ADb2
— Lukas Ziegler (@lukas_m_ziegler) January 1, 2025
Thanks to AI algorithms, the robots are expected to learn and adapt by analyzing situational data and environmental changes on the job, making them even more efficient. On the flip side, Rainbow Robotics will get a boost in going global by using Samsung’s extensive sales network.
Mixed reactions to Samsung robotics partnership
Despite the announcement, Rainbow Robotics’ stock dropped by 3.07% on Friday (Jan. 3) compared to the previous day. The company had experienced a brief surge on Thursday, rising 29.99% from the previous trading day. Samsung also announced that, in addition to increasing its share, it would incorporate the firm as a subsidiary as it attempts to take on other tech companies.
Last month, ReadWrite reported that Tesla had taken another step forward with its humanoid robot, the Tesla Optimus Bot, improving its movement across challenging terrain.
Meanwhile, Figure AI and BMW revealed that Figure 02 was now operational on a production line, and could function as an “autonomous fleet.”
Featured image: Grok AI
