Samsung Becomes Largest Shareholder in Rainbow Robotics, Accelerating Humanoid Robot Development

Samsung invests over $180M in Rainbow Robotics to become largest shareholder - SiliconANGLE

Samsung invests over $180M in Rainbow Robotics to become largest shareholder Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced today that it will become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics Inc., a South Korean robot maker, by increasing its stake in the company to 35% by spending over 267 billion won, or about $181 billion. Samsung said it planned to use its investment in Rainbow Robotics to strengthen its work on developing advanced robot technology, especially humanoid robots. The company said it first acquired a 14.7% stake in the robotics firm in 2023 with an investment of 86.6 billion won. Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Technology's, or KAIST's, Humanoid Robot Research Center founded Rainbow Robotics in 2011 and are credited with the development of the first two-legged walking robot, "Hubo," in Korea. The company has also developed industrial robots, quadrupeds, dual arm manipulators and industrial robots. Samsung said that it plans to use Rainbow's collaborative robots and industrial robots for manufacturing and logistics automation tasks. The company said that combining robotics and artificial intelligence in factory and industrial settings has proven to improve work capabilities and safety for workers by learning and analyzing situational data. Numerous companies have been developing autonomous robots using AI, including humanoid robots, to improve efficiency and safety in industrial settings including Tesla Inc., Boston Dynamics Inc. and Figure AI Inc. Artificial intelligence technology chip maker technology giant Nvidia Corp. unveiled AI foundation models for humanoid robots this year and leading generative AI model developer OpenAI is reportedly considering developing its own humanoid robot. As part of the deal, Rainbow Robotics will become a subsidiary of Samsung and the company is expected to use Samsung's global sales reach to extend overseas. In order to grow the effectiveness of advanced robotic technologies, including the aforementioned humanoid robots, Samsung said it established a Future Robotics Office reporting directly to Samsung Chief Executive Ha Jong-hee. Dr. Jun-Ho Oh, a founding member of Rainbow Robotics and honorary professor at KAIST, was tapped to head up the new division after retiring from company. Samsung said the new office will be tasked with advancing the development of future robots and robotic technologies and turn them "into a key growth engine" for the company given the current trends in the market.

Why Samsung just spent $181M to dominate humanoid robotics

Samsung Electronics has become the largest shareholder of South Korea's Rainbow Robotics, increasing its stake to 35% for 267 billion won (approximately $181 million), according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Prior to this acquisition, Samsung held a 14.71% stake, equating to about 2.85 million shares, in Rainbow Robotics, making it the second-largest shareholder. Previous to this deal, the largest shareholder was Dr. Oh Jun-ho, the firm's founder, along with associated entities. Samsung's latest investment aims to bolster its robotics department and accelerate the development of humanoid robots. The company previously paid 86.8 billion won for its initial 14.71% stake in Rainbow Robotics in 2023. As part of the acquisition, Samsung will integrate Rainbow Robotics as a subsidiary and has announced the establishment of a Future Robotics Office, which will report directly to the chief executive officer. This move is expected to facilitate the expansion of Rainbow Robotics into overseas markets by leveraging Samsung's global reach. Samsung Galaxy S25 leaks reveal... not much new Founded in 2011 by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Rainbow Robotics specializes in developing dual-arm mobile manipulators and autonomous mobile robots for manufacturing and logistics applications. The company currently employs 86 people. Dr. Jun-ho Oh, who was the largest shareholder before this agreement and serves as an honorary professor at KAIST, will remain with the company to spearhead the Future Robotics Office as an advisor to Samsung. Samsung's investment comes amidst increasing competition in the humanoid robotics space, with companies like Microsoft and OpenAI exploring similar technology applications. Tesla recently showcased its humanoid robot, Optimus, and Nvidia plans to release a new line of compact computers for humanoid robots called Jetson Thor next year. In 2022, Samsung identified robotics, along with artificial intelligence, 5G, and automotive electronics, as key areas for future initiatives, indicating potential further acquisitions in these fields.

Samsung Electronics To Become Largest Shareholder in Rainbow Robotics Accelerating Future Robot Development

Samsung will exercise call option to increase stake to 35% and incorporate the firm as a subsidiary Samsung Electronics today announced that it will become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics to accelerate future robot development such as humanoid robots. Samsung first acquired a 14.7% stake in the Korean firm in 2023 with investment of KRW 86.8 billion, and exercises a call option to increase its stake to 35%. Rainbow Robotics will also be incorporated as a subsidiary under Samsung Electronics' consolidated financial statements. Through collaboration with Rainbow Robotics, Samsung will further strengthen its foundation in the development of advanced robot technology. Rainbow Robotics was founded in 2011 by researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology's (KAIST) Humanoid Robot Research Center who developed the first two-legged walking robot "Hubo" in Korea. By combining Samsung Electronics' AI and software technology with Rainbow Robotics' robotics technology, the collaboration plans to accelerate the development of intelligent advanced humanoids. Samsung will also form a synergy council with Rainbow Robotics to strengthen leadership in the advanced robot global business, with the council expected to serve as a bridge to foster the growth of both companies by developing future robot technologies and core business strategies and identifying and assessing market demand. With the collaboration, Samsung plans to utilize Rainbow Robotics' collaborative robots, dual-arm mobile manipulator and autonomous mobile robots for manufacturing and logistics automation tasks. 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 is expected to actively enter overseas markets by utilizing Samsung's global sales infrastructure. Samsung also established a Future Robotics Office reporting directly to the CEO. The office will focus on developing future robots including humanoid robots, aiming to secure competitiveness in new technologies for future robots that will advance current paradigms and transform them into a key growth engine. Dr. Jun-Ho Oh, a founding member of Rainbow Robotics and honorary professor at KAIST, will serve as an advisor to Samsung and head of the Future Robotics Office after retiring from Rainbow Robotics. Dr. Oh will provide robotics technology and business expertise to Samsung's future robot development from his deep experience in industry-academia collaboration.

Samsung Electronics to become largest shareholder in Korean robotics startup

A robot tests the durability of the panels at the Samsung Display booth of 'MWC 2024', provided by Samsung Display in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 26. Yonhap Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it will become the largest shareholder in a Korean robotics startup, Rainbow Robotics, as part of its push for advancing robotics technologies including humanoid robots. The tech giant increased its stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35 percent by exercising a call option on its initial 14.7 percent holding, the company said. Samsung Electronics had invested 86.8 billion won ($59 million) in the startup in 2023. With this increase, Samsung Electronics holds the largest stake in the startup, which will be incorporated as a subsidiary under its consolidated financial statements, the company added. Rainbow Robotics, founded in 2011 by researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, specializes in humanoid robotics technologies. The founders have developed Hubo, Korea's first two-legged walking robot. Samsung Electronics said it will combine its artificial intelligence and software capabilities with Rainbow Robotics' expertise to accelerate the development of intelligent, advanced humanoids. The company also established the Future Robotics Office to drive innovation in robotics and secure competitiveness in technologies that could transform robotics into a key growth engine for the future. (Yonhap)

Samsung Electronics accelerates robotics business

Rainbow Robotics' dual-arm robots at the company's headquarters in Daejeon in this Oct. 2 file photo / Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin Tech giant secures largest stake in Rainbow RoboticsBy Nam Hyun-woo Samsung Electronics is accelerating its efforts in the robot business, investing 267.5 billion won ($181.75 million) in the Korean robot firm Rainbow Robotics to become its largest shareholder. Samsung also established a future robotics development team, reporting directly to its CEO to capitalize on the market's growth potential. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, Samsung said it exercised its call option to increase its stake in Rainbow Robotics, boosting its ownership from 14.71 percent to 35 percent by purchasing 3.94 million shares. Following the transaction, Rainbow Robotics became a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, meaning the robot firm's financial performance will be reflected in Samsung's consolidated earnings. Rainbow Robotics was established in 2011 by a Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology research team led by Professor Oh Jun-ho, who is known for developing Hubo, Korea's first two-legged walking humanoid, in 2005. Oh, who was the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics with a 17.37 percent stake, became the second-largest stakeholder in the company with 7.78 percent following the transaction. Samsung first secured a 14.71 percent stake in Rainbow Robotics in 2023 by investing 86.8 billion won as the company sought to expand its portfolio into the robotics business. Market watchers then speculated that Samsung may merge with Rainbow Robotics, but Samsung said in a statement that the transaction would create "a synergy between the two companies," meaning Rainbow Robotics will remain a subsidiary for now. Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee speaks during a ceremony for the company's 55th founding anniversary in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 1. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Samsung has been seeking to expand its portfolio into robotics in recent years. In September, Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee selected medical technology, robots, electronic auto parts and eco-friendly air conditioning as the company's next-generation businesses, stressing "strong growth" in those areas. During the CES 2024 trade show in January, Han said the company's ultimate goal is to develop intelligent robots that can coexist with humans by integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features. In 2023, Samsung's Device Experience division expanded its robot business task force into a robot business team and restructured the team in May to enhance its capabilities. As part of those efforts, Samsung said it created a future robot development team directly under the CEO, which will focus on developing advanced robotics technologies to secure foundational technological competitiveness. Oh of Rainbow Robotics will lead the team. Samsung said it plans to utilize Rainbow Robotics' various robots for automation in manufacturing, logistics and other operations. These robots can significantly enhance their operational capabilities by learning and analyzing situational data and environmental variables through AI algorithms. Samsung Electronics' AI home robot Ballie / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By becoming a subsidiary of Samsung, Rainbow Robotics can capitalize on the tech giant's extensive global sales infrastructure to boost its entry into international markets. Rainbow Robotics currently has cooperative robots, dual-arm robots, autonomous mobile robots and humanoids in its portfolio. Of them, its dual-arm robot RB-Y1 is speculated to be used in Samsung's chips and home appliance manufacturing process. Samsung reportedly already tested the robot for its chip manufacturing process. On the consumer side, Rainbow Robotics' technology can contribute to future upgrades in Samsung's ball-shaped AI home robot, Ballie. Ballie connects to various home appliances and provides intelligent control to enable more personalized services catered to users' patterns. Samsung plans to roll out the robot within 2025. Market analysts BCC Research anticipates that the global robotics market, which was valued at $67.9 billion in 2023, will reach $165.2 billion by the end of 2029.