Samsung will invest about 60 trillion won in the Yeongnam region to build production hubs for Humanoid Robot, solid-state batteries, package substrates for artificial intelligence (AI) servers, and high value-added ships. The plan is to combine AI transformation (AX) and robots with existing manufacturing to grow Yeongnam into a global physical AI innovation cluster.
Roh Tae-Moon, CEO (president) of Samsung Electronics and head of the DX (finished goods) division, attended the Yeongnam advanced industry development vision national briefing held on the 3rd at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, and said, "Samsung plans to invest 60 trillion won to foster Yeongnam as a leading region for manufacturing AI by integrating AX and robots into key industries."
Roh said, "We will create 200,000 quality jobs in the Yeongnam region by concentrating investment in Humanoid Robot, AI data centers, and advanced manufacturing." After Roh's remarks, Samsung issued a press release and detailed a group-level investment plan centered on Gumi, Ulsan, Busan, and Geoje.
The investment direction is aligned with the AI transformation of manufacturing. Samsung presented Humanoid Robot and manufacturing AX, solid-state batteries, package substrates for AI servers and MLCCs (multilayer ceramic capacitors), and high value-added ships as the core industrial pillars of the Yeongnam region.
◇ Humanoids and AI data center in Gumi; batteries, components, and shipbuilding in Ulsan, Busan, and Geoje
Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDS will participate in the Gumi investment. To develop Gumi into an advanced future manufacturing complex, the two companies plan to build a mass-production system for humanoids and a robot data factory. They will also construct an AI data center, a foundational infrastructure for manufacturing and robot automation industries.
Roh said, "To overcome the decline in growth momentum in existing manufacturing production, we will pursue an AI-driven factory in Gumi by establishing a humanoid mass-production system and transitioning to manufacturing AX." He said the goal is to grow the Gumi establishment into a global manufacturing innovation hub with future manufacturing competitiveness.
Samsung SDI will expand next-generation battery production in Ulsan. It will push for mass production of solid-state batteries to be installed in Humanoid Robot and increase production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and sodium batteries for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Regarding the Ulsan investment, Roh said, "We aim to secure leadership in future technologies with the world's first mass production of solid-state batteries." Solid-state batteries are next-generation batteries that use solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes. They align with demand for high-performance power supplies such as robots and electric vehicles.
In Busan, Samsung Electro-Mechanics will build a hub for AI Semiconductor components. The company will develop Busan into a key base for high-performance package substrates for AI servers and a high value-added MLCC mother line. It aims to strengthen production capacity for semiconductor package substrates and electronic components in line with rising AI server demand.
Samsung Heavy Industries will establish a construction base in Geoje for high value-added ships and offshore infrastructure. Through investments in AI factory equipment, robots, and autonomous navigation technologies, it plans to build an autonomous shipyard that combines digital transformation, AI transformation, and robot transformation.
◇ Roh Tae-Moon says designating a robot-specialized complex is necessary; asks for government support
Roh also asked for government support. He said, "We hope you will support the designation of a robot industry specialized complex and incentives so that we can operate under conditions similar to competing countries," adding, "We would appreciate it if you could expand government-led projects to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding industry."
Through investment in the Yeongnam region, Samsung plans to foster Gumi as a hub for humanoids and manufacturing AI, Ulsan for solid-state batteries, Busan for key components for AI servers, and Geoje as an advanced shipbuilding base. Roh said, "Through this investment, we will do our utmost to build Yeongnam into a global physical AI innovation cluster centered on AX and robots."