Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it has become the largest shareholder in South Korea-based robotics maker Rainbow Robotics, increasing its stake from 14.7% to 35% for KRW 267 billion (about $181 billion).
The electronics giant, which paid KRW 86.8 billion for a 14.7% stake in 2023, said it is taking the stake to strengthen its robotics department and accelerate the development of humanoid robots. Rainbow Robotics will be integrated as a subsidiary of Samsung and the deal is expected to close in February 2025.
The company also said it will create a Future Robotics Office that will report directly to the chief executive. The deal also enables Rainbow Robotics to expand into overseas markets by leveraging Samsung’s reach.
Rainbow, founded in 2011 by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Center, has developed two-arm mobile manipulators and autonomous mobile robots for manufacturing and logistics applications. There are 86 employees.
Rainbow’s founding member, Dr. Jun-ho Oh, the robotics company’s former largest shareholder before the deal and a professor emeritus at KAIST, will stay on board to lead a new effort called Samsung’s Future Robotics Office and serve as an adviser.
Samsung is just the latest to enter the race to develop humanoid robots that can do more autonomously. Microsoft and OpenAI are planning to use their technology for a humanoid robot, and Tesla earlier this year showed off its take on robots, Optimus. Nvidia also has plans to release a new line of compact computers for humanoid robots, called Jetson Thor, next year.
In 2022, Samsung said robotics, along with AI, 5G and automotive electronics, would be a key part of its future initiatives, suggesting potential acquisitions in these areas could be on the horizon.
