The intersection of artificial intelligence and physical machinery has long been a staple of science fiction, but at the Seoul International Manufacturing Technology Show (SIMTOS 2026), the vision of a robot-integrated workforce moved significantly closer to reality. On April 13, Samsung Electronics took center stage to unveil the Rainbow RB-Y2, a new addition to its expanding robotics portfolio that signals a shift toward immediate, practical application in industrial environments.
The unveiling was led by Oh Jun-ho, the Head of Samsung Electronics’ Future Robot Promotion Team. In a clear directive for the company’s trajectory, Oh emphasized that the transformation of the industry will begin “from the field,” suggesting that the RB-Y2 is designed not just as a prototype for the future, but as a tool for current operational evolution. This move marks a pivotal moment in Samsung’s strategy to dominate the humanoid and collaborative robot market by bridging the gap between high-level AI and physical execution.
This development is the culmination of a deep strategic integration between Samsung Electronics and Rainbow Robotics. By combining Samsung’s world-leading AI and software capabilities with the specialized hardware expertise of Rainbow Robotics, the company aims to accelerate the creation of intelligent, advanced humanoids capable of navigating and assisting in complex human environments.
Redefining the Industrial Floor: The Arrival of the RB-Y2
The debut of the Rainbow RB-Y2 at SIMTOS 2026 represents a tangible step in Samsung’s mission to automate the “field” of production and logistics. While the technical specifications of the RB-Y2 focus on operational efficiency, the broader goal is the deployment of robots that can seamlessly integrate into existing workflows to enhance productivity and safety.
The Future Robot Promotion Team, which reports directly to the CEO of Samsung Electronics, was specifically established to lead this charge. The team’s mandate is to secure original technology competitiveness in future robotics, ensuring that Samsung does not merely assemble components but owns the core intellectual property that will drive the next paradigm of industrial automation.
A Strategic Alliance: Samsung Electronics and Rainbow Robotics
The synergy behind the RB-Y2 is rooted in a calculated corporate acquisition. Samsung Electronics has aggressively moved to secure its position as the primary driver of Rainbow Robotics’ growth. In 2023, Samsung initially invested 86.8 billion won to acquire a 14.7% stake in the company. However, by exercising its call options, Samsung increased its share to 35.0%, officially becoming the largest shareholder as of December 31, 2024.
The financial and structural ties are expected to tighten further. Samsung holds a call option that could potentially increase its stake to a maximum of 58.6% by the expiration date in 2029. This ownership structure allowed Rainbow Robotics to be incorporated as a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics on Samsung’s consolidated financial statements starting in December 2024 . This integration ensures that the development of robots like the RB-Y2 is backed by the immense resources and software ecosystem of one of the world’s largest technology firms.
From HUBO to Humanoids: The Legacy of Oh Jun-ho
The technical foundation of this partnership rests on the shoulders of Oh Jun-ho, a pioneer in Korean robotics. Before joining Samsung as an advisor and the head of the Future Robot Promotion Team, Oh was a professor at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) and the co-founder of Rainbow Robotics in 2011. He is best known for leading the team that created “HUBO,” South Korea’s first bipedal humanoid robot.
The technical prowess of Oh’s team was validated on a global stage in 2015, when the “DRC-HUBO” won the world disaster robot contest hosted by the U.S. Agency DARPA . This history of success in bipedal movement and disaster response provides the essential hardware framework that Samsung is now enhancing with advanced AI to create the next generation of intelligent humanoids.
Scaling for a Global Future
As Samsung and Rainbow Robotics push toward global market leadership, they are expanding their physical and operational footprint. To support its growing workforce and research needs, Rainbow Robotics completed a new corporate headquarters in Sejong Special Self-Governing City in December 2025 . This facility serves as the hub for the company’s broad portfolio, which ranges from collaborative robots—currently accounting for 83% of the company’s revenue—to cutting-edge humanoid platforms.
The company’s ambitions extend beyond the Korean peninsula. In 2023, Rainbow Robotics established a U.S. Subsidiary in Schaumburg, Illinois, to facilitate entry into the North American market and engage with global industrial partners. This global infrastructure ensures that the “field-first” approach championed by Oh Jun-ho can be scaled across different international regulatory and industrial landscapes.
Key Strategic Milestones
| Date | Event/Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Rainbow Robotics Founded | Established by KAIST researchers, including Oh Jun-ho. |
| 2015 | DARPA DRC Win | DRC-HUBO wins world disaster robot contest. |
| 2023 | Initial Samsung Investment | Samsung acquires 14.7% stake (86.8 billion won). |
| Dec 2024 | Subsidiary Incorporation | Samsung becomes largest shareholder (35%); consolidated subsidiary. |
| Dec 2025 | Sejong HQ Completion | New headquarters completed to expand R&D capacity. |
| April 2026 | RB-Y2 Unveiled | Introduction of new robot at SIMTOS 2026. |
The trajectory of Samsung’s robotics division suggests a move away from experimental laboratory robots toward “intelligent advanced humanoids” that can perform meaningful labor. By securing the expertise of Oh Jun-ho and the agility of Rainbow Robotics, Samsung is positioning itself to lead the transition toward an automated industrial economy.
The next major checkpoint for the partnership will be the continued exercise of call options through 2029, which could see Samsung’s ownership of Rainbow Robotics climb to 58.6%, potentially leading to a full merger or deeper operational integration.
Do you believe humanoid robots will replace human labor in manufacturing within the next decade, or will they remain collaborative tools? Share your thoughts in the comments below.