In a year marked by rapid change and technological ambition, Samsung Electronics is making bold moves to seize the emerging market for humanoid robots, aiming to establish a new industrial legacy that could rival its storied semiconductor dominance. As reported on May 4, 2026, the global humanoid robot market is predicted to reach a pivotal commercial moment this year, shifting decisively from research and development into real-world deployment and mass adoption. The stakes are high, with industry forecasts—such as those cited by Goldman Sachs—projecting a dramatic rise in annual humanoid shipments, from a cumulative 18,000 units at the end of 2025 to between one and two million units each year by 2035. This anticipated surge, described as a "J-shaped acceleration curve," signals a potential revolution in both manufacturing and daily life.
Samsung Electronics is positioning itself at the forefront of this revolution, unveiling its Physical AI and humanoid robot strategies at major international tech showcases like CES and MWC in 2026. According to industry reports, the company has set a clear roadmap: this year and next, Samsung will focus on installing pilot production lines, integrating humanoid robots into internal processes, conducting collaborative robot tests, and implementing AI agent-based defect prediction systems. While a full commercial rollout of Samsung’s humanoid robots may still be a few years away, the groundwork is being laid now for what could be a transformative leap.
But what gives Samsung its edge in this fast-evolving field? Analysts point to the company’s vast troves of manufacturing data, amassed from decades of operating semiconductor and smartphone factories. Unlike synthetic data generated in virtual environments, the real-world manipulation and obstacle-avoidance data collected by robots on Samsung’s factory floors are considered highly reliable. As this data pool grows, Samsung expects to rapidly enhance the dexterity, mobility, and cognitive capabilities of its humanoids—key factors in making them viable for complex industrial tasks.
Samsung’s ambitions are not limited to simply building robots. The company’s true focus is on creating "factories where robots work," leveraging its scale as a manufacturing giant to realize economies of scale early on. By deploying humanoids in its own global network of production lines—starting with its U.S. plant in 2026—Samsung aims to drive down unit costs significantly. Industry wisdom, such as Wright’s Law, suggests that doubling cumulative production typically reduces per-unit costs by 15 to 20 percent. With hundreds of production lines worldwide, Samsung is well-placed to accelerate this cost curve and make humanoids more accessible across industries.
The competitive landscape is heating up. Tesla’s Optimus robot has garnered attention for its ambitious deployment plans, but its mass production has faced engineering and technical hurdles. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics has made headlines with its Atlas robot, demonstrating advanced functionality and factory readiness at CES 2026. Hyundai plans to implement Atlas in its U.S. factories this year, with an eye toward slashing costs for mass production by 2028. The race is on, and it’s about more than just showing off technical prowess—it’s about reshaping the very structure of manufacturing itself.
Samsung’s strategy also extends deep into the semiconductor supply chain. The company’s foundry division is already producing cutting-edge chips for industry leaders. In March 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced at the GTC conference that Samsung’s foundry would manufacture the Groq3 Language Processing Unit (LPU) using a 4-nanometer process, with mass production set to begin in the third quarter of this year. This partnership underscores Samsung’s role as a critical supplier for the AI hardware powering the next generation of robots.
The ties with Tesla are even more substantial. In July 2025, Samsung inked a $16.5 billion contract to supply next-generation AI chips, including the AI6 chip designed for Tesla’s Optimus humanoid and autonomous vehicles. These chips are set to be produced at Samsung’s Texas Taylor plant, also using advanced 4-nanometer technology. By developing specialized neural processing units and offering robot chip reference designs tailored to different robot types, Samsung is laying the groundwork for a foundry market that could, in time, eclipse even the smartphone sector in scale.
Of course, powering humanoid robots is about more than just chips—it’s also about batteries. Here, Samsung SDI, the group’s battery division, is breaking new ground. On March 11, 2026, at the InterBattery exhibition held at COEX, Samsung SDI unveiled the world’s first pouch-type all-solid-state battery prototype designed specifically for humanoid robots. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which can suffer from liquid electrolyte leakage during intense movements like running or jumping, the new solid-state battery uses a solid electrolyte for maximum safety and stability. It’s engineered to deliver high power density for moments when robots need sudden bursts of torque, such as lifting heavy objects.
Samsung SDI is targeting mass production of this battery by the second half of 2027, aligning perfectly with Samsung Electronics’ goal of bringing commercial humanoids to market by 2028. The new battery technology could give Samsung’s robots a decisive edge in both range and safety over competitors like Tesla’s Optimus, especially in demanding industrial settings.
Beyond the factory floor, Samsung sees a future where Physical AI applications extend from specialized robots—like restaurant servers and surgical assistants—to household robots capable of cooking and tidying up. By leveraging AI engines already validated in real-world factory environments, Samsung aims to move beyond simple labor replacement and create agent AI devices that deliver personalized services tailored to individual users’ needs. The vision is for robots to become not just tools, but partners in everyday life, adapting to their users’ habits and preferences.
It’s important to note that, as with any investment in emerging technology, there are risks involved. According to investment analysis materials prepared using Judal’s proprietary AI methods, all investment responsibility lies with the investor, and no legal liability is assumed by Judal for outcomes based on such reports. The same caution applies to the broader robotics sector: while the potential is enormous, the path to mainstream adoption will likely be marked by both breakthroughs and setbacks.
As 2026 unfolds, the race to commercialize humanoid robots is entering a critical phase. With its formidable manufacturing expertise, deep data assets, and strategic partnerships across semiconductors and batteries, Samsung Electronics is betting big on a future where robots are not just a novelty, but a cornerstone of modern industry and daily life. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on the company’s ability to turn its technological vision into practical, scalable solutions that meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.