Samsung Electronics has inaugurated its Robotics eXperience (RX) Business Promotion Office, led by CEO TM Roh, to unify its robotic research and development initiatives.
Taking the helm of the Robotics Strategy Team is Lee Dong-geon, who previously directed robot strategies at Boston Dynamics during his tenure at Hyundai. The RX division will be based at Samsung’s R&D Campus in Umyeon-dong, Seoul, while expanding its research operations to the United States, China, and Japan.
Initially, Samsung plans to concentrate on industrial robots, utilizing advanced robotics for automation within its manufacturing facilities as a testing ground before extending these technologies to other manufacturers. If successful, all Samsung manufacturing plants are expected to evolve into "AI autonomous factories" by 2030.
In addition to industrial robots, Samsung is exploring humanoid robots. Kim Eui-gyeom, a professor at Ajou University specializing in robotic hands and manipulation, has joined the RX team. The company previously operated a Robotic Hand Lab, which has reportedly developed a highly sophisticated yet undisclosed robotic hand technology.
Furthermore, Samsung aims to support robotics startups and enhance its market position through mergers and acquisitions. This strategy is already in motion, as evidenced by Samsung becoming the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics in 2024, a company known for its robot creations, including a robotic dog featured in the accompanying video.
Competition is robust in the robotics sector. Tesla's Optimus robot has gained significant attention, particularly following the company's shift in focus from the Model S and X. Recently, LG announced its own Robotics Business Center, while Honor introduced a robot that recently completed a half marathon. Additionally, Unitree has developed humanoid robots, including one utilized for drop testing phones, and Hisense revealed a humanoid robot named Harley in January.
