Rainbow Robotics, founded in 2011 by a team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, developed South Korea's first two-legged walking robot, Hubo. The acquisition aligns with a broader trend among South Korean conglomerates investing in robotics, as seen with Hyundai Motor's acquisition of Boston Dynamics and Doosan Group's listing of Doosan Robotics. Samsung plans to leverage Rainbow Robotics' technology for manufacturing and logistics automation, aiming to advance intelligent humanoid development through AI-driven situational learning and analysis.
Key takeaways:
- Samsung Electronics plans to acquire an additional stake in Rainbow Robotics, increasing its ownership to 35% and making it the largest shareholder.
- The acquisition will make Rainbow Robotics a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, integrating its financial results into Samsung's earnings.
- Samsung aims to combine its AI and software technology with Rainbow Robotics' robotics expertise to advance intelligent humanoid development.
- Other South Korean conglomerates, such as Hyundai Motor and Doosan Group, are also expanding their robotics businesses.