Samsung Electronics is consolidating its scattered robotics teams into a single dedicated organization as it accelerates development of AI-powered humanoid robots, according to industry sources reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily on July 17, 20261.
The restructuring will integrate robot research and commercialization teams currently spread across the Future Robotics Office, Samsung Research's robotics unit, and Global Technology Research — all housed under the Device eXperience (DX) Division. One name under consideration for the new organization is "HX," short for "Humanoid Experience".
Samsung is also considering elevating the new organization to a full business division once it establishes an independent production line and secures profitability. An ex-Hyundai executive will head strategy at the new robotics division, according to Yahoo Finance2.
Samsung is expected to appoint a new head to replace Oh Joon-ho, who currently leads the Future Robotics Office. The company has also launched a large-scale internal job posting for DX Division employees, including three robotics-related positions, and has reportedly hired several senior-level executives from major global technology companies.
Samsung Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong said robot demand is expected to grow significantly in factories, homes, restaurants, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Roh Tae-moon said Samsung is prioritizing the robotics business to automate its manufacturing facilities.
The company said it is pursuing a two-track strategy of internal development and partnerships with competitive companies. Samsung said it is building capabilities to develop customized key robot components in-house and will actively consider investments and mergers and acquisitions when necessary.
Analyst Kim Dong-won said Samsung's semiconductor fabs are a major asset for robot training, estimating that behavioral data from Samsung's manufacturing environments is worth 50 trillion won to 100 trillion won ($33.7 billion to $67.5 billion) for robot training. Kim said Samsung will be able to deploy humanoid robots in industrial settings more quickly because of that manufacturing data.
Industry observers expect Samsung-developed robots could be deployed on the company's own production lines as early as the second half of 2026. Samsung recently succeeded in developing robot technology capable of assembling and inserting deformable objects such as electrical cables.
ANALYSIS The consolidation signals Samsung's intent to treat humanoid robotics as a standalone business rather than a distributed R&D effort. The potential elevation to a full business division — contingent on production and profitability milestones — would place robotics alongside Samsung's established semiconductor and consumer electronics operations in organizational stature. The two-track approach of in-house development paired with external partnerships and potential M&A mirrors the strategy Samsung has historically applied when entering capital-intensive technology markets.