Samsung SDS is intensifying its robot transformation (RX) business by expanding the realm of artificial intelligence transformation (AX) into physical AI-based manufacturing environments. The company plans to validate the performance and quality of general-purpose robots across more than 1,000 production lines established within Samsung affiliates before applying these solutions to over 430 external manufacturing clients. It also aims to penetrate global markets, including the United States.
During the 'Real Summit 2026' held at COEX in Seoul on September 8, Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee stated, "Samsung SDS aims to extend the stage of AX into both digital and physical realms. To implement RX, it is essential to continuously enhance the tasks performed by robots on-site and elevate their quality to human levels."
Samsung SDS is expanding its AX business by leveraging a 'multidimensional AI full stack' that combines AI infrastructure, platforms, and solutions. In the workplace, it is broadening its application areas by integrating AI agents and front-deployment engineers (FDE), as well as combining AI with robots in manufacturing settings.
In RX, the focus is on applying robots to actual production lines rather than manufacturing them in-house. Samsung SDS is currently implementing RX across over 1,000 production lines within Samsung affiliates. After validating the technology in various manufacturing environments, the company plans to expand its business to external clients.
Samsung SDS Vice President Ahn Dae-jung noted, "The primary market we are focusing on is Samsung's manufacturing affiliates. While some have high levels of automation, many still rely heavily on manual labor." He explained that the company is examining how general-purpose robots can replace tasks previously performed by existing workers on production lines. Adjustments to the robots' movements and work methods are also underway to align with specific process conditions.
Externally, the company will initially target the 430 manufacturing clients where its subsidiary Miracom I&C has established manufacturing execution systems (MES). The goal is to replace dangerous or repetitive tasks currently performed by humans with robots.
Ahn added, "We have 430 manufacturing clients where Miracom I&C has implemented MES. We will focus on clients looking to replace hazardous or manual tasks with automation."
Internationally, the U.S. market is the primary target. With the trend of reshoring manufacturing facilities back to the U.S., there is expected to be an increased demand for automation. The plan is to combine existing MES operations with robots to secure local manufacturing clients.
Samsung SDS is also collaborating with robotics and physical AI companies in South Korea, China, and the U.S. The approach involves integrating the robot hardware, learning data, models, and simulation technologies from external companies with Samsung SDS's manufacturing experience for application in actual production lines.
Ahn emphasized, "Korea has strengths in integrating robots into production lines to validate performance and tune them to achieve human-level quality. Samsung SDS is focusing on this aspect while pursuing partnerships in Korea, China, and the U.S."
The role of coordinating multiple robots and production equipment in actual processes will be handled by a robot orchestration platform. Samsung SDS plans to launch a platform in 2027 that will coordinate the tasks and collaboration of different robots within a single system to facilitate autonomous manufacturing.
Lee stated, "While the robots themselves are important, it is crucial for companies and factories to ensure that multiple robots can operate together through cooperation and coordination. Samsung SDS's robot orchestration platform will fulfill this role."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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