Latest news with #RainbowRobotics
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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.
Korea Herald
07-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Samsung's robotics push gets traction with final nod for Rainbow Robotics
Samsung Electronics has received final approval from South Korea's antitrust regulator to acquire Rainbow Robotics, paving the way for the tech giant to expand its robotics business to humanoid robots. The Fair Trade Commission approved Samsung's acquisition of a controlling stake in Rainbow Robotics on Wednesday, concluding that the merger poses minimal concerns regarding market competition. '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 initially invested 86.8 billion won ($60 million) in 2023 to acquire a 14.7 percent stake in Rainbow Robotics. In December, the company exercised a call option to increase its stake to 35 percent and subsequently filed for regulatory approval in January. The FTC determined that the acquisition would not significantly restrict competition, noting that rival robotics firms could still procure DRAM, NAND flash and small secondary batteries from alternative suppliers, even if Samsung Electronics or its affiliate Samsung SDI adjusted supply terms. Additionally, the commission found that Samsung had little incentive to restrict supply to competitors. 'The acquisition presents an opportunity to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic robotics industry, currently led by companies from Japan and Germany,' a FTC official said. With the approval, Samsung will fully integrate Rainbow Robotics into its consolidated financial statements and intensify its robotics initiatives. The company plans to merge its artificial intelligence and software expertise with Rainbow Robotics' technological capabilities. To spearhead its robotics ambitions, Samsung has established the future robotics task force under Vice Chairman and co-CEO Han Jong-hee. Oh Jun-ho, an honorary professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and a founding member of Rainbow Robotics, has been appointed as head of the task force. Samsung's immediate focus will be on robotics applications in the home, manufacturing, retail and kitchen environments. Leveraging the expertise gained in these fields, the company aims to extend its business into humanoid robotics. The AI companion robot, Ballie, expected to launch as early as May, will mark the beginning of Samsung's expanded robotics venture. Given Rainbow Robotics' strong technological foundation in collaborative robots, dual-arm robots and autonomous mobile robots, Samsung is likely to extend its footprint into manufacturing and logistics automation. Samsung is also preparing to enter the humanoid robotics sector. Rainbow Robotics, founded by researchers from KAIST's Hubo Lab, developed Korea's first bipedal humanoid robot, Hubo, and is widely recognized for its expertise in the field. Industry watchers are also eyeing whether Samsung will pursue further robotics acquisitions. During a press conference in January, Han said, "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." In a recent letter to shareholders, Han and board Chairman Kim Han-jo emphasized the company's commitment to new frontiers, stating, "To secure new growth engines in the AI-driven future, we will continue to challenge ourselves in robotics, medtech and next-generation semiconductors."
Korea Herald
05-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Regulator approves Samsung's acquisition of robotics startup
South Korea's antitrust regulator approved Samsung Electronics Co.'s acquisition of local robotics startup Rainbow Robotics on Wednesday as part of its business diversification strategy. The approval by the Fair Trade Commission comes two months after the tech giant submitted the acquisition of the startup for a review. The regulator said it made the decision as it saw little chance of a monopoly resulting from the deal. In December, Samsung Electronics said it will become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics as part of its push for advancing robotics technologies, such as humanoid robots. The company currently owns a 35 percent stake in Rainbow Robotics. It invested 86.8 billion won ($59 million) in the startup in 2023. Rainbow Robotics was founded in 2011 by researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, or KAIST's Humanoid Robot Research Center, who developed the country's first two-legged walking robot, Hubo. Samsung Electronics expects a combination of its artificial intelligence and software technology and the robotics firm's expertise will accelerate the development of intelligent, advanced humanoids. (Yonhap)
