Creating a new growth engine! Samsung establishes robotics department, led by former Boston Dynamics strategy executive

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Samsung Electronics announced on Tuesday that it will establish a robotics division reporting directly to the CEO to accelerate R&D and the commercialization process in this field, aiming to turn its robotics business into a new growth engine.

The Korean conglomerate stated that this division, named RX (Robotics eXperience), will coordinate mid- to long-term robotics strategies, core technology R&D, and business execution, while expanding domestic and international research capabilities.

In its statement, Samsung said that Executive Vice President Lee Dongkun will lead the robotics strategy team. Previously, Lee Dongkun led robotics strategy at Hyundai Motor Group, including planning the development direction of Boston Dynamics.

Samsung also said it plans to set up robotics research centers in countries with rapidly advancing robotics technologies such as the United States, China, and Japan, leveraging local ecosystems and expertise to enhance competitiveness.

This move stems from its broader push to advance the robotics business. In its earnings call this January, Samsung stated that its goal is to achieve "substantial" progress in its humanoid robotics business within this year.

In April, Samsung said it would consider investments and acquisitions where necessary to accelerate the R&D and commercialization of robotics technology, while partnering with local companies to jointly conduct technological development.

Samsung also pointed out that advancements in technologies such as Physical AI are making the robotics business increasingly viable. The company plans to develop humanoid robots to enhance both productivity and user experience; these will initially be deployed on manufacturing sites, and subsequently expand into home and retail sectors.