Samsung and Meta want to drive the AI ​​market with humanoid robots

AI competition is no longer limited to code. It is moving into a physical world where machines walk, think, and work. At its core are humanoid robots, which are rapidly emerging as the next frontier of industry.

Companies from South Korean tech giant Samsung to global IT company Meta are now openly expanding into humanoid robots, all in a move to occupy the “bodies of AI.”

Industry sources revealed on May 6 that Samsung Electronics plans to release a humanoid robot as early as the second half of this year.

KB Securities analyst Kim Dong-won said, “Samsung Electronics will accelerate the commercialization of humanoids from the second half of the year.” “The company will first introduce manufacturing-specific humanoid and dual-arm robots that can be applied to semiconductor and display production lines.”

Samsung Electronics presented a roadmap for its humanoid robot business during a conference call on April 30th. The development of humanoid robots for industrial use will be the first, followed by the development of humanoid robots for home and retail applications as the technology matures.

“We aim to revolutionize manufacturing productivity and daily experiences through the development of humanoid robots that combine advanced robot technology,” said Park Seung-cheol, chief financial officer of Samsung Electronics. “We are internalizing key robot components and building the ability to develop customized parts optimized for our robots.”

Strategic investments and acquisitions are options Samsung may consider, Park said.

Over the past year, Samsung has been building a technological base to catch up with industry leaders through a specialized division for future-oriented robot development led by Oh Joon-ho, developer of South Korea’s first bipedal robot Hubo.

Meta is making similar moves to secure its capabilities in humanoid robotics.

The company recently acquired US-based robotics AI startup Assured Robot Intelligence. The company is developing basic models that allow humanoid robots to perform a wide range of physical tasks, including domestic work. Mehta noted that the company is “at the forefront of robotic intelligence.”

The employees, including co-founder Xiaolong Wang, will join the company’s AI division, Meta Superintelligence Lab.

The Wall Street Journal reported in December 2025 that “the company plans to shift spending from the Metaverse to AI wearables.”

Industry observers increasingly see this year as a turning point in the commercialization of humanoid robots. If last year was a period of research and development that demonstrated technological feasibility, this year is expected to be the moment robots leave the lab and begin generating revenue in real-world industrial environments.

According to Bank of America forecasts, global shipments of humanoid robots are expected to reach approximately 1 million units annually from 2030 to 2035.

The main driver of this growth is the sharp decline in production costs.

Production costs, currently about $35,000 per unit, are expected to fall to about $13,000 within the next five years. A global labor shortage is also expected to accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots.

“The lack of human labor is the fundamental reason why robots are needed,” said Choi Gon, an analyst at Korea Investment and Securities. “Humanoids will become a new pillar of economic growth to supplement the shrinking workforce.”

Kim Hee-tae, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Mechanical Materials, said: “The key is how quickly the robot can generate revenue in a real-world environment, rather than a simple technology demonstration.”

Kim Hee-tae continued, “As the period until 2030 will be the golden window to determine market supremacy, South Korea needs to leverage its world-leading manufacturing infrastructure to localize core components and at the same time secure AI capabilities.” “Strategic responses to overcome labor shortages through a ‘robot economy’ are an urgent issue.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter using generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Written by Kim Soo Min [[email protected]]