Samsung's Rainbow Robotics pilots warehouse robot at Coupang

Samsung Electronics’ robotics subsidiary, Rainbow Robotics, has begun testing its mobile dual-arm robot RB-Y1 in Coupang’s fulfillment center to evaluate its performance in warehouse operations. The trial focuses on reliability and efficiency in sorting and moving goods, with industry sources suggesting a large order could follow if the robot succeeds. RB-Y1, which features two arms on a wheeled base, mimics human torso movements and can handle up to three kilograms per arm, making it suitable for lighter tasks like picking and sorting. Coupang’s interest stems from potential cost savings, as robots could reduce labor expenses and lower exposure under South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which holds executives criminally liable for workplace fatalities. This marks RB-Y1’s first reported deployment outside labs, universities, and factory trials at Samsung and Toyota. Rainbow Robotics has previously supplied robots mainly for research and limited industrial use. The company is also in negotiations with CJ Logistics, following a robot-development agreement signed last year. Samsung absorbed Rainbow Robotics as a subsidiary in 2024, increasing its stake to 35% and investing 267 billion won ($176 million), identifying robotics as a key growth area. Meanwhile, Coupang has invested heavily in automation, spending over $84 million on global AI startups since 2023, despite reporting a $242 million operating loss in Q1, largely due to a one-off compensation program related to a customer data breach.