ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – Samsung Electronics has taken a definitive step towards advancing its robotics ambitions with the final approval from South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to acquire Rainbow Robotics.
This milestone not only solidifies Samsung’s position in the robotics sector but also signals its entry into humanoid robot development.
The antitrust regulator granted the green light on Wednesday, concluding that the acquisition presents minimal risks to market competition.
With regulatory hurdles cleared, Samsung is poised to integrate Rainbow Robotics’ technological expertise with its artificial intelligence (AI) and software capabilities to drive next-generation robotics innovation.
“With the approval, we will accelerate the development of future robots, including advanced intelligent humanoids, by integrating our artificial intelligence and software technologies with Rainbow Robotics’ robotics technology,” a Samsung Electronics official said.
Samsung’s involvement with Rainbow Robotics began in 2023 with an initial investment of KRW86.8 billion (USD60 million) to secure a 14.7 per cent stake.
By December, the company exercised a call option to increase its stake to 35 per cent and subsequently sought regulatory approval in January.
The FTC determined that the deal would not significantly impact market competition, citing the availability of alternative suppliers for DRAM, NAND flash, and small secondary batteries, even if Samsung Electronics or its affiliate Samsung SDI adjusted supply terms.
The commission further noted that Samsung had limited incentive to impose restrictions on competitors.
“The acquisition presents an opportunity to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic robotics industry, currently led by companies from Japan and Germany,” an FTC official stated.
Following the approval, Rainbow Robotics will be fully incorporated into Samsung’s financial structure as the company scales up its robotics initiatives.
Samsung aims to leverage Rainbow Robotics’ expertise in collaborative robots, dual-arm robots, and autonomous mobile systems while integrating its own AI and software advancements.
A dedicated future robotics task force, under the leadership of Vice Chairman and co-CEO Han Jong-hee, has been established to drive Samsung’s robotics ambitions.
Oh Jun-ho, an honorary professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a founding member of Rainbow Robotics, has been appointed to lead this initiative.
Samsung’s immediate priorities include deploying robotics in home automation, manufacturing, retail, and kitchen environments.
This strategic push is expected to culminate in the launch of the AI-powered companion robot, Ballie, as early as May, marking Samsung’s expanded presence in the robotics industry.
Building upon Rainbow Robotics’ strong foundation, the company is also setting its sights on manufacturing and logistics automation.
In parallel, Samsung is laying the groundwork for humanoid robotics. Rainbow Robotics, established by researchers from KAIST’s Hubo Lab, was responsible for developing Korea’s first bipedal humanoid robot, Hubo, and is widely regarded for its technical expertise in this field.
Samsung’s growing involvement in humanoid robotics suggests a broader long-term strategy to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven automation.
As the industry watches closely, speculation grows over whether Samsung will pursue additional acquisitions to further cement its position in the robotics market.
During a January press conference, Han acknowledged the company’s evolving robotics strategy, stating, “Samsung Electronics is not currently a leader in the robotics industry, but we are continuously investing in future growth drivers, including mergers and acquisitions. Robotics is a crucial area for our future growth strategy.”
Reinforcing this vision, Han and board Chairman Kim Han-jo recently underscored the company’s commitment to emerging technologies in a letter to shareholders.
“To secure new growth engines in the AI-driven future, we will continue to challenge ourselves in robotics, medtech, and next-generation semiconductors,” the letter stated.
With its strengthened robotics division, Samsung is poised to redefine the future of intelligent automation, bridging the gap between AI and humanoid robotics while reinforcing South Korea’s position as a global player in the industry.
