Subsidiary Rainbow's 'RB-Y1' under verification
Expanding into logistics centers... Robot business gains momentum
Responding to Serious Accident Punishment Act and reducing costs
Rainbow Robotics, a robot subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has supplied humanoid robots to a Coupang logistics center. As the company expands its reach into logistics centers, where demand for automation is high, the humanoid robot business of Samsung Electronics is expected to accelerate.
According to industry sources on June 14, it has been confirmed that Coupang is conducting a demonstration by introducing the 'RB-Y1', a mobile dual-arm robot from Rainbow Robotics, into its logistics center. The verification is a measure to test driving stability and operational efficiency at the logistics center site. If it passes the test, large-scale orders are expected to follow.
An industry insider familiar with the matter said, “This is an attempt to utilize humanoid robots for sorting and moving items. Whether they can secure robot safety and optimize for complex logistics traffic lines will be the biggest key to the verification.”
The RB-Y1 is a humanoid that combines a dual-arm robot with mobile wheels. Unlike conventional fixed industrial robots or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that are only capable of simple transport, its strength lies in its ability to precisely implement human upper body movements while moving quickly via wheels.
It is analyzed that Coupang introduced the RB-Y1 on a trial basis to reduce labor costs and prevent violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. Commercializing humanoid robots in logistics centers can significantly lower the burden of labor costs by drastically reducing the operational workforce in areas such as product receiving, shipping, and transportation. Furthermore, the risk of worker accidents is reduced, enabling proactive response to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Rainbow Robotics has secured an opportunity to expand the application scope of humanoid robots across all fronts. Previously, its parent company, Samsung Electronics, and Japan's Toyota had introduced the RB-Y1 to test its applicability in manufacturing plants. With the supply to Coupang as a turning point, the company has established a foothold to preempt market demand in the logistics center sector.
The company is also pushing to expand its logistics center client base. Rainbow Robotics is reportedly in discussions to supply humanoid robots to a CJ logistics center as well. Rainbow Robotics and CJ Logistics signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year to jointly develop humanoid robots optimized for logistics centers.
It is observed that Samsung Electronics' robot business will also gain momentum. Since acquiring Rainbow Robotics in 2024, Samsung Electronics has designated robots as a new growth engine and has been strengthening research and development (R&D) and investment. Rainbow Robotics plays a key role in the robot business of Samsung Electronics, and it is evaluated that tangible results are being generated as the application scope expands to logistics centers.
Another industry source predicted, “As technical challenges such as payload (the weight a robot can lift) and battery capacity still remain, more time is needed for humanoid robots to be fully deployed in logistics centers. However, the collaboration with Coupang could serve as an opportunity for Samsung Electronics to take the lead in the logistics robot market.”
