21-05-2025
Humanoid robots can now roll, reach and react with Korean company's bold redesign
South Korean firm Rainbow Robotics is set to unveil new interactive control technologies for its humanoid robot, system will be unveiled at Atlanta's 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). New control interfaces to be showcased include a master arm, a touchpad and joystick system, and a VR device-based control platform. Also on the cards are what it calls the Mecanum Wheel System for movement and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for advanced January, Samsung Electronics boosted its stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35 percent, becoming the largest shareholder in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the robotics sector.
The RB-Y1 is a mobile humanoid platform that combines a wheeled base with a dual-arm upper body, enabling advanced manipulation capabilities while maintaining mobility. Referred to by the company as a 'bimanual manipulator,' the robot uses its wheeled base to navigate its environment and position itself for various tasks requiring precision and seven degrees of freedom (DOF) in each arm and a 6-axis system in the torso, the robot can change its height by more than 50 cm (19.7 inches). This vertical mobility improves work flexibility and facilitates operations at different heights.
The RB-Y1 weighs 288 pounds (131 kilograms) and has dimensions of 600 x 690 x 1,400 mm (23.6 x 27.2 x 55.1 inches). Each arm can lift 6.61 pounds (3 kg). With a top speed of 5.6 mph (9.01 km/h), the robot is designed to accelerate quickly and maneuver around turns by leaning into them, much like a two-wheeled vehicle.
The robot reduces the chance of toppling by dynamically adjusting its center of gravity by altering its body height during movement. Because of its robustness and agility, the RB-Y1 is a flexible instrument for both industrial and research to the company, since its launch in March 2024, RB-Y1 has drawn pre-orders from all around the world. It is currently being used by prestigious universities, including MIT, UC Berkeley, the University of Washington, and Georgia Tech, as well as businesses in a variety of industries.
At ICRA 2025, Rainbow Robotics will debut two key innovations for its humanoid platform. The first is a Mecanum Wheel System, enabling full 360-degree omnidirectional movement for improved maneuverability in tight environments.
The second is an integrated RB-Y1 SDK, designed for seamless compatibility with modules such as IMU, gripper, and LiDAR, offering flexible customization for diverse research and development needs. "With the unveiling of the Mecanum Wheel system and integrated SDK at ICRA 2025, we aim to establish Rainbow Robotics as a technology leader in the global humanoid robotics market," said Jungwoo Heo, CTO of Rainbow Robotics, in a humanoid robotics research lab at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) gave rise to Rainbow Robotics in 2011, establishing a solid basis in advanced robotics.
Samsung hopes to use Rainbow Robotics' experience to create humanoid robots that can comprehend intricate instructions, navigate dynamic settings, and engage with people in a natural, intuitive manner with its recently increased investment.
Samsung wants to do more than keep up with the latest developments in robotics.
To increase production and operational efficiency, the company intends to implement collaborative robots from Rainbow Robotics in its manufacturing facilities, where they may safely operate alongside human workers. These robots are anticipated to increase productivity while maintaining workplace safety because they are made for safe human-robot addition to factory use, Samsung sees broader applications for these robots in logistics and other areas of its business, highlighting their potential to transform various operational workflows.
