The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has approved the merger between Samsung Electronics and Rainbow Robotics, paving the way for the companies to close the deal.
The KFTC has approved the merger, confirming that Samsung’s acquisition of Rainbow Robotics does not violate fair trade principles or significantly hinder competition in the robotics sector. This regulatory endorsement solidifies Samsung’s strategic expansion into the robotics market, complementing its leadership in AI, semiconductors, and smart manufacturing.
Industry experts anticipate that this move will stimulate further innovation and competition, encouraging other technology firms to enhance their robotics capabilities. The increasing investments in robotics research and development are expected to drive rapid technological advancements and expand the applications of robotics across various industries.
Samsung Electronics has become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics, accelerating its commitment to the development of advanced robotics, including humanoid robots. The company exercised a call option to increase its stake from 14.7% to 35%, incorporating Rainbow Robotics as a subsidiary under Samsung Electronics’ consolidated financial statements.
Strategic Collaboration for Robotics Innovation
The partnership between Samsung Electronics and Rainbow Robotics is expected to significantly enhance advancements in robotics technology. Rainbow Robotics, founded in 2011 by researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology’s (KAIST) Humanoid Robot Research Center, is best known for developing Korea’s first bipedal walking robot, “Hubo.”
By integrating Samsung’s artificial intelligence (AI) and software expertise with Rainbow Robotics’ robotics capabilities, the collaboration aims to drive the development of next-generation intelligent humanoid robots.
To further strengthen its position in the robotics market, Samsung is establishing a synergy council with Rainbow Robotics. This council will play a crucial role in shaping the future of robotics technology, core business strategies, and identifying market trends. Through this partnership, Rainbow Robotics will also leverage Samsung’s global sales network to expand its presence in international markets.
Advancements in Robotics for Manufacturing and Logistics
Samsung intends to utilize Rainbow Robotics’ advanced solutions, including collaborative robots, dual-arm mobile manipulators, and autonomous mobile robots. These robots, powered by AI algorithms, will optimize manufacturing and logistics automation by learning and analyzing real-time environmental and situational data.
As part of its long-term strategy, Samsung has also launched a Future Robotics Office, reporting directly to the CEO. This new division will focus on developing humanoid and next-generation robots, positioning robotics as a key growth engine for the company.
Dr. Jun-Ho Oh, a founding member of Rainbow Robotics and a KAIST honorary professor, will serve as an advisor to Samsung’s Future Robotics Office. His expertise in robotics technology and industry-academia collaboration is expected to further accelerate Samsung’s progress in robotics innovation.
Future Prospects
With the KFTC’s approval, Samsung Electronics is set to integrate Rainbow Robotics’ technology and workforce into its broader operations. This collaboration is expected to reinforce South Korea’s leadership in the global robotics industry and accelerate the development of advanced robotics solutions for various applications.
