Samsung Poised to Take the Lead as Major Stakeholder in South Korean Robotics Innovator

Seoul

On Tuesday, Samsung Electronics announced it will acquire the largest stake in a South Korean robotics startup, Rainbow Robotics, as a part of its strategy to enhance robotics technologies, including humanoid robots.

The technology giant boosted its share in Rainbow Robotics to 35 percent by executing a call option on its initial 14.7 percent ownership, the firm stated. In 2023, Samsung Electronics invested 86.8 billion won ($59 million) into the startup, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

With this enhancement, Samsung Electronics now possesses the most significant share in the startup, which will be established as a subsidiary within its consolidated financial reports, the company elaborated.

Rainbow Robotics, initiated in 2011 by scholars from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, focuses on humanoid robotics technologies. The founders have created Hubo, South Korea’s inaugural two-legged walking robot.

Samsung Electronics indicated it will merge its artificial intelligence and software expertise with Rainbow Robotics’ specialization to expedite the creation of sophisticated, intelligent humanoids.

The company has also set up the Future Robotics Office to promote innovation in robotics and enhance competitiveness in technologies that could evolve robotics into a crucial growth driver for the future.

In the meantime, the company will present its new lineup of home appliances empowered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology at the forthcoming CES next month.

The collection, featuring the latest Bespoke refrigerator, washer, and dryer equipped with AI home solutions, will be exhibited at CES 2025, scheduled to occur at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 7-10, as stated by the Korean firm.

AI home refers to Samsung’s approach of linking all its home appliances to the AI-driven SmartThings connectivity platform, facilitating remote monitoring and management of the devices, according to Yonhap news agency.

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The enhanced AI home technology will permit users to manage the power and settings of all linked home appliances within their residences from the touchscreen on any of the devices, Samsung clarified.