SAMSUNG SDI, Hyundai Motor and Kia to partner on the development of robot-specific batteries for integration into service robots
New batteries designed to overcome space and capacity limitations in robotics, promising performance improvements including enhanced energy density, output and usage time
Partnership seeks to stabilize battery supply for robots and enhance price competitiveness through market expansion
Joint marketing initiatives planned, with technology showcase at 'InterBattery 2025' to highlight growth potential in global robot battery market
SEOUL, Korea – February 25, 2025 – SAMSUNG SDI today announced an agreement to partner with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation to develop high-performance batteries specifically for robots, with the aim of increasing energy density, output and usage time significantly.
The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this joint development at Hyundai Motor Group’s Uiwang Research Center. The event was attended by Hans Cho, executive vice president and head of Strategic Marketing Team at SAMSUNG SDI, and Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia.
"We are expanding our collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia in the robot market," said EVP Hans Cho of SAMSUNG SDI. "Through this collaboration, we will introduce differentiated technologies and high-quality products in the robot battery market."
"We will continue our endeavors to develop high-performance batteries for robots with SAMSUNG SDI, which has battery production capabilities. In the long term, we aim to enhance battery supply stability for robots and achieve price competitiveness through market expansion," said VP Hyun Dong-jin of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia. "By combining the advanced technology of the Robotics LAB with SAMSUNG SDI’s battery technology, we anticipate accelerating the development of competitive robot products that meet diverse consumer needs."
The collaboration will combine SAMSUNG SDI's resources and technical expertise to develop batteries optimized for robots and integrate them into various service robots with those of Hyundai Motor and Kia.
Currently, most sectors in the robotics industry lack dedicated batteries, so they are forced to use those designed for power tools or light electric vehicles (LEVs). Due to robots' complex and irregular nature, space for battery installation is limited, and using smaller cells reduces output capacity.
To overcome this challenge, the collaboration focuses on developing a high-performance robot battery optimized for limited spaces while enhancing energy density to increase output and usage time.
Under the agreement, SAMSUNG SDI will develop high-capacity materials to improve energy density and optimize design to enhance battery efficiency. This is expected to extend battery usage time and improve price competitiveness significantly. Both parties plan to work closely to establish this joint development as a model for innovation in robot-specific batteries.
Hyundai Motor and Kia's Robotics LAB will evaluate the application and performance enhancement of the newly developed battery for robots. They will use their accumulated technical expertise to assess maximum charge and discharge performance, usage time, and qualification life.
[Hans Cho, executive vice president and head of Strategic Marketing Team at SAMSUNG SDI (right) and Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia (left) pose for a commemorative photo at the Hyundai Motor Group's Uiwang Research Center.]
