Samsung is developing low-latency technologies for humanoid robots, focusing on improving voice interaction and real-time control. Much of this progress arises from its partnership with Rainbow Robotics.
Samsung and Rainbow Robotics are also working on AI-powered factories, though there is no specific mention of a Robo-Operating System, Kernel patch, significant improvements in low-latency AI software, a boost in voice interaction, or improvements in humanoid robot performance.
Below are the main highlights of Samsung’s progress in this field:
- Low-latency voice AI voice integration: Samsung is adding voice controls to help humanoid robots respond more quickly, aiming for smooth human-robot interactions in factories and service roles.
- Agentic AI Core: Samsung uses agentic AI, which is artificial intelligence capable of taking actions and making decisions to achieve goals. As a coordination layer for humanoid robots, agentic AI enables robots to act independently and manage complex tasks in real time. The operating system requires very low latency meaning minimal delay to avoid task delays.
- Rb-Y1-humanoid-focus: one main project is the Rb-Y1, a wheeled humanoid robot developed with Rainbow Robotics. It is designed to handle complex tasks and to engage in conversations on production lines.
- Humanoid Robotics R&D: Sensing Research is developing a robust, high-performance robotics software framework—a base layer of code and tools that supports robot functionality. It processes sensor data, such as microphone audio, and plans robot movement in real time.
- Focus on voice activity detection (VVAD): Samsung aims to improve task completion and reduce conversational delays. VVAD, or voice activity detection, is a technology that recognizes when a person is speaking, helping devices respond only when needed. Research also targets reliability in noisy environments. Together, these efforts support Samsung’s goal of fully autonomous, self-managing AI-managed factories by 2030, with AI robots acting as conversational partners.
Humanoids on the factory floor
Samsung previously concentrated its robotics initiatives on commercial products such as robotic vacuum cleaners. Currently, the company is allocating resources to humanoid robotics development and partnering with Rainbow Robotics in South Korea. Samsung intends to deploy the Rainbow Robotics RB-Y1 humanoid robot within its manufacturing operations.
This denotes a shift from using robots for side tasks to directly adding human-owned robots into the manufacturing work. While Samsung has not shared specific assignments yet, deploying these robots on the manufacturing line likely means they will aid with material handling, assembly, or shaping, leveraging their human-like movement for flexibility.
Agentic AI as a Coordinating Layer
In parallel with the deployment of humanoid robots, Samsung aims to incorporate agentic AI across its production infrastructure. According to the company, these AI systems are designed to optimize process quality and efficiency from material warehousing to finished goods logistics. Samsung further anticipates that AI will contribute to occupational safety and environmental compliance.
Integrating humanoid robots with agentic AI establishes a platform where robots execute assigned tasks while AI agents dynamically monitor, optimize, and adapt workflows in real time. This reflects a broader industry trend toward the convergence of physical robotics and intelligent process automation.
Industry Context
Samsung’s strategy aligns with a growing push by major manufacturers to introduce humanoid robots into factory environments. In October 2025, Apple supplier Foxconn announced plans to use NVIDIA-powered bipedal robots to assemble AI servers within six months. Hyundai has also ordered 30,000 Atlas humanoid robots from its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, with deployment planned across its car factories in the United States.
These projects indicate that large-scale industrial stakeholders are advancing from pilot implementations to systemic deployments of humanoid robotics platforms. For robotics engineers and factory managers, the focus is shifting from proof-of-concept validation to integration, reliability, and operational governance.
Governance and Following Steps
Samsung is expected to outline its AI strategy at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, including details on its governance framework for AI deployment. The governance structure will likely prove crucial as humanoid robots and autonomous software agents are integrated into safety-critical production environments.
Looking ahead to 2030, Samsung’s plan shows a significant commitment: the company believes that humanoid robots, with help from agentic AI, can boost productivity, quality control, and resilience in factories worldwide.
Source: Samsung Targets 2030 Global Factory Shift With Humanoids
