What’s happened? At RoboWorld 2025, held in South Korea, Oh Jun-ho, head of Samsung’s Future Robotics Division, said the company is working on core humanoid technologies like actuators, sensors, software, and robotic hands (via ETNews).
- Oh said humanoids are a new challenge for Samsung, but one the company is ready for, owing to its vast experience and infrastructure.
- Samsung is collaborating with companies like Nvidia and Rainbow Robotics to strengthen its AI-driven robotics ecosystem.
- When asked about the humanoid’s release schedule, Oh said, “You’ll see it soon.”
This is important because: Samsung’s entry signals a new phase in robotics, where humanoid form factors are becoming the next big AI frontier, not just for research but also for commercial use.
- The company plans to make key parts like actuators and sensors itself, hinting at a long-term goal of full in-house production.
- Oh says early investment in core tech could help Samsung capture a major share of the growing humanoid market, which is already heating up with projects like Figure’s home robot and Unitree’s Broadway-ready prototype.
Why this matters? Humanoids are quickly shifting from science fiction to reality. With global demand for physical AI rising, tech giants and startups alike are racing to build useful, human-like robots.
- Korean robotics firms like A-Robot and Yuil Robotics also unveiled their humanoid prototypes at RoboWorld, joining the race, which includes creations like Neo, the humanoid robot you can already preorder, and Caltech’s flying bipedal bot.
- Samsung’s collab with Nvidia and Rainbow Robotics suggests a long-term ecosystem play, where it not only builds robots but also the chips and platforms that power them.
OK, what’s next? Samsung hasn’t shared specs or a release date yet, but Oh Jun-ho’s statements suggest we might get to see a prototype reveal real soon.
- Watch out for public previews/demos to see more robots with advanced capabilities like next-gen grippers or even gymnast-level agility.
- If successful, Samsung could become one of the first major electronics brands to bring AI-powered humanoids to both industrial and consumer markets.
