Korean display makers are moving quickly to enter the humanoid field—robots that resemble humans—seeing it as a potential major demand source. With the humanoid market projected to grow to 55 trillion won by 2035, the aim is to secure related technology in advance and deliver results. The adoption rate of displays in guide, service, and home humanoids is expected to reach up to 80%.
On the 13th, the industry said Samsung Display and LG Display are naming the Humanoid Robot field as a future display demand source and expanding contacts with potential clients. They are reportedly exploring business cooperation not only with several complete vehicle corporations that have jumped into robot manufacturing but also with small and midsize manufacturers. Both corporations appear to be moving to achieve tangible results after unveiling related technologies at CES 2026, the world's largest IT trade show, held in January in Las Vegas.
◇ Opening of the physical AI era… "Display importance rises"
Samsung Display and LG Display are focusing on Humanoid Robots against the backdrop of an activating "physical artificial intelligence (AI)" market. AI, which operated in digital spaces such as chatbots, is being embedded in robots and devices to enter the real world, recognize spaces, make its own judgments, and act.
Humanoids are cited as a representative example of physical AI. As AI robot use cases increase, emotional interaction with people will inevitably become more frequent. Displays are regarded as the core means of the "human-machine interface" (HMI). With voice alone limiting communication with robots, the importance of displays that can present information is rising.
Jeong Gu-min, a professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering at Kookmin University, said that with the opening of the physical AI era, displays are evolving beyond simple visual output devices into a "physical interface." In a presentation at the "Display Convergence Industry Outlook Forum" held the previous day, Jeong said, "Not only panels mounted on robot faces but also new forms of displays such as spatial and transparent types will become key mediators that convey AI's intent," adding, "They are expected to take root as essential infrastructure that completes communication between humans and AI and leads commercialization."
◇ Targeting the humanoid market by leveraging OLED strengths
Samsung Display and LG Display showcased related technologies in line with these market shifts. The two corporations continue to deliver the message to the market that organic light-emitting diode (OLED) can best capture what humanoid manufacturers intend. With the freedom to take on shapes such as curved, spherical, and circular while delivering high image quality, OLED has strengths over liquid crystal display (LCD).
At CES 2026, Samsung Display unveiled a small robot, the "AI OLED Bot." It is a concept device created to show how a 13.4-inch circular OLED panel can be used on a small robot's face. The panel features high-brightness driving and low-reflection technology.
Samsung Display demonstrated use cases in which, in classroom settings where voice commands and speakers are difficult to use, students check assignment details or class cancellation plans on a "display" mounted on the robot. The company said, "This presents a blueprint for how Samsung's OLED technology, which is embedded in a variety of IT devices such as tablets, laptops, and monitors, can create synergy with AI in everyday life."
Some in the industry speculate that Samsung Display could supply 8-inch OLED panels for humanoids to Tesla starting in 2027. Given that Samsung Electronics is collaborating with Tesla on Autonomous Driving chip manufacturing, the assumption is that Samsung Display, its subsidiary, also has a high chance of winning orders. Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display, told reporters on-site at CES 2026, "Any device is inconvenient without a display, and robots are no different," adding, "I think many displays that indicate information can go into robots." Regarding the robot-related business, Lee added, "I can't reveal specifics, but we are proceeding in depth."
LG Display also set up a booth for clients at CES 2026 and unveiled displays that can be mounted on humanoid faces. Using a 7-inch-class plastic (P) OLED, it implemented the curved facial areas of a humanoid. Compared with glass substrates, P-OLED is lighter, more impact-resistant, and bendable, allowing humanoid faces to be made similar to human facial curves.
Jeong Chul-dong, president of LG Display, said, "Display specifications required by robots are similar to in-vehicle display specifications, so the emergence of physical AI is not bewildering," adding, "It appears robotics companies have not yet made decisions on implementing display interfaces, but since we have secured P-OLED technology, we will proactively respond to new customer demand going forward." Jeong added, "We have prepared well to meet customer needs in step with the pace of robot-related development, and we will continue to keep pace."
The fact that LG Group has cited robots as a future growth engine and is mobilizing companywide capabilities is considered a positive factor for LG Display's business. LG Electronics plans to conduct field verification of the home humanoid "LG Clloid," unveiled at CES 2026, starting next year. A display capable of expressing emotions and more has been applied to this robot's face.
Han Chang-uk, vice president of UBI Research, said, "Industrial robots prioritize safety and efficiency, so they mainly use small panels or LED indicators, but in guide, service, and home humanoids, the display adoption rate is expanding to the 60%–80% range," adding, "As robots evolve into interaction platforms, screens are recognized as a basic element rather than a choice." Han added, "In humanoids, displays are no longer components but are evolving into a core element that forms the robot's 'identity.'"
Global investment bank Goldman Sachs projected that the global Humanoid Robot market will reach $38 billion (about 55 trillion won) in 2035. That is more than six times larger than its projection a year earlier ($6 billion). It forecast humanoid robot shipments at 1.4 million units. Morgan Stanley projected that by 2050, humanoids will be supplied at the level of 1 billion units worldwide, with the market size exceeding $5 trillion (about 7,235 trillion won).