Samsung Electronics (005930) has established a new control tower for its robotics business, signaling an aggressive expansion push that sent South Korean robotics stocks soaring on July 22. Multiple stocks on the Kosdaq market hit their daily price limits, while LG Group affiliates also rallied on renewed expectations of collaboration with Nvidia.
As of 9:19 a.m., Cosmo Robotics surged to its daily price limit of 17,570 won (approximately $11.88), up 29.96%, marking its second consecutive day of hitting the upper limit. TXR Robotics and iRobotics also reached their daily price ceilings. Rainbow Robotics (277810), Samsung’s robotics subsidiary, jumped 24.91% to 514,000 won (approximately $347.68), while EnRobotics (23.91%), Clobot (19.78%), and Robotis (17.51%) all posted double-digit gains.
The rally was sparked by Samsung Electronics’ announcement the previous day that it would establish the RX (Robotics eXperience) Business Promotion Office, reporting directly to Roh Tae-moon, Vice Chairman and head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division. The new organization will serve as a hub integrating robotics capabilities previously scattered across Samsung Electronics, Samsung Research, and the Future Robotics Task Force, overseeing everything from mid-to-long-term strategy formulation to core technology development and commercialization.
“The increased visibility of Samsung’s robotics business will be a positive factor for South Korea’s major robotics sectors in the medium to long term,” said Kim Hye-bin, an analyst at IBK Investment & Securities. “Key points to watch include the specifics of Samsung’s follow-up M&A and equity investment targets, as well as synergies with subsidiaries for securing core technologies.”
Yang Seung-yoon, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities, noted: “South Korea’s robotics sector has corrected approximately 50% from its June peak, largely reflecting concerns about the lack of short-term momentum and challenges in commercialization and profitability. Samsung’s full-fledged entry into the business could serve as a turning point that reignites industry expectations.”
Samsung’s robotics expansion also provided a tailwind for IT services stocks. Samsung SDS rose 5.22% to 201,500 won (approximately $136.30), while Hyundai AutoEver gained 7.84% to 406,000 won (approximately $274.62). LG CNS also climbed 5.44%, as buying interest flowed into stocks related to digital transformation (DX) and AI transformation (AX).
LG Group affiliates also showed strength in early trading. LG Electronics (066570) rose 5.20% to 182,200 won (approximately $123.24), as renewed attention on discussions with Nvidia regarding collaboration in physical AI and robotics, combined with bargain-hunting sentiment following recent share price declines, fueled the gains. LG Innotek rose over 7% and LG Display gained over 4%, with the group’s electronics affiliates rising in tandem.
With the establishment of the RX Business Promotion Office, Samsung Electronics plans to flesh out a “phased expansion” strategy. The approach involves first validating technologies at manufacturing sites, then expanding into the industrial robotics market, and subsequently entering the consumer (B2C) market. To this end, the company has set a goal of converting all domestic and international production facilities into “AI autonomous factories” by 2030.
The company is also accelerating the build-out of core infrastructure for its robotics business. Samsung plans to use its R&D campus in Umyeon-dong, Seoul, as the main hub to consolidate robotics-related personnel, while building a “data factory” at its Gumi plant in North Gyeongsang Province to produce robot training data. Additionally, the company intends to establish global research outposts in the United States, China, and Japan — where robotics technology is advancing rapidly — to actively tap into local talent and technology ecosystems.
Key talent recruitment has accompanied the organizational launch. Lee Dong-gun, a vice president who previously led operational strategy for Boston Dynamics at Hyundai Motor Group, has been appointed head of the robotics strategy team. Kim Hyun-jin, a Seoul National University professor and leading expert in autonomous mobile robots, and Kim Eui-kyum, an Ajou University professor and authority on robotic hand manipulation, are also joining.
The global robotics market is projected to experience explosive growth. Goldman Sachs estimates the humanoid robot market, currently valued at up to $3 billion (approximately 4.4 trillion won) this year, will expand to $38 billion (approximately 56.2 trillion won) by 2035. Morgan Stanley forecasts the market could reach as much as $5 trillion (approximately 7,391.9 trillion won) by 2050.