The batteries used in robots require a higher energy density and performance than those in cars. Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Samsung SDI have joined forces to mass-produce high-performance batteries specifically for robots. The two sides have agreed to jointly develop high-performance batteries tailored for robots that substantially enhance energy density, output, and usage time.
On the 24th, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Samsung SDI at the Uiwang Research Institute for the joint development of robot-specific batteries. Attending the signing ceremony were Hyeon Dong-jin, executive director of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, and Jo Han-je, vice president of Samsung SDI's small business division strategic marketing team. Through this collaboration, the two companies aim to pool their resources and technical expertise to develop optimized batteries for robots.
Currently, in most sectors of the robotics industry, the lack of dedicated batteries has led to the use of batteries employed in power tools or light electric vehicles (LEV: Light Electric Vehicle). However, due to the complex structure and atypical characteristics of robots, the battery installation space is limited, and applying small cells according to specifications leads to a chronic issue where output capacity is also reduced.
The key to this collaboration is the development of high-performance batteries specifically for robots that optimize battery shape for limited spaces while simultaneously enhancing energy density to significantly increase output and usage time.
According to the agreement, the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will be responsible for evaluating robot applications and enhancing the performance of the newly developed batteries. They plan to utilize their years of experience in robot development and operation to evaluate the maximum charging and discharging performance, usage time, and warranty lifetime.
Samsung SDI aims to enhance energy density by developing high-capacity materials and promoting battery efficiency improvements through design optimization. This is expected to significantly increase battery usage time compared to existing models, while also achieving competitive pricing.
Both parties have agreed to work closely to ensure that this joint development can establish itself as a representative cooperation model for innovation in robot-specific batteries. Additionally, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will engage in joint marketing to expand the robot market. As the first step, they plan to showcase the service robots DAL-e and MobED at Samsung SDI's exhibition booth at 'Inter Battery 2025' in March. They will demonstrate the exhibition robots to attendees and industry professionals, highlighting the growth potential of the robot battery market.
Hyeon Dong-jin, executive director of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, noted, "We plan to continue our efforts to develop high-performance batteries for robots in collaboration with Samsung SDI, which has battery production capabilities. By combining the robotics lab's technology with Samsung SDI's battery technology, we expect to improve the stability of battery supply in the long term and provide robots with price competitiveness through market expansion."
Jo Han-je, vice president of Samsung SDI's small business division strategic marketing team, said, "We have expanded our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia into the robot market. Through this collaboration, we will showcase our differentiated technology and the highest quality products in the robot battery market."
Meanwhile, the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia launched services utilizing delivery robots, electric vehicle automatic charging robots, and advanced facial recognition technology at the 'Factorial Seongsu' building located in Seongsu-dong last June. Additionally, in November, they started commercialization and expanded their product lineup with the debut of the wearable robot "X-ble Shoulder." They are leading the establishment of a "robotics total solution."
[OSEN = Reporter Kang Hee-su]