Samsung SDI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia Join Forces to Develop Robot-Dedicated Battery

Samsung SDI and Hyundai Motor Company·Kia are jointly developing high-performance batteries exclusively for robots that significantly increase energy density, output, and usage time. This is the first time that a large-scale collaboration between major companies has taken place to develop robot-specific batteries.

According to Samsung SDI on the 25th, the two companies signed a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Joint Development of Robot-Specific Batteries" the day before at Hyundai Motor Group's Uiwang Research Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do. The signing ceremony was attended by Vice President Janghanje, Head of Strategy Marketing Team of Samsung SDI's Small Business Division, and Executive Director Hyundongjin, Head of Hyundai Motor Company·Kia Robotics Lab.

At the business agreement ceremony held on the 24th at Hyundai Motor Group Uiwang Research Center, Vice President Han-je Cho, Head of Strategic Marketing Team of Samsung SDI Small Business Division (right), and Executive Director Dong-jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia (left), are taking a commemorative photo. (Photo by Samsung SDI)

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This collaboration is based on the shared goal of pooling the resources and specialized technical capabilities each company possesses to develop batteries optimized for robots and to install them in various service robots. Until now, related collaborations have mainly been conducted by small startups, making this the first time such cooperation has occurred between large corporations.

So far, Hyundai Motor Company·Kia's electric vehicles have only been equipped with pouch-type batteries from LG Energy Solution and SK On. Samsung SDI, on the other hand, is recognized as a leader in cylindrical batteries, which have a wide range of applications including in the robotics field. For Hyundai Motor Company·Kia, this collaboration means diversifying their battery suppliers, while for Samsung SDI, it represents a significant market pioneering opportunity to secure a leading position in the related field.

In most robot industries, due to the absence of dedicated batteries, batteries used for electric tools or Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) are installed. However, because of the complex and irregular structure of robots, the space available for battery installation is limited, and applying small cells to fit the specifications results in a chronic problem of reduced output capacity.

The core of this collaboration is to develop a high-performance robot-specific battery that optimizes the battery form to fit limited spaces while improving energy density to greatly increase output and usage time.

Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will develop high-capacity materials to improve energy density and promote battery efficiency enhancement through design optimization. This is expected to significantly extend battery usage time compared to existing products and also achieve price competitiveness.

Hyundai Motor Company·Kia Robotics Lab will be responsible for evaluating the application of the newly developed battery to robots and enhancing its performance. Utilizing technical know-how accumulated through years of robot development and operation experience, they plan to conduct evaluations of maximum charge/discharge performance, usage time, and warranty life of the battery. Both parties plan to cooperate closely to establish this joint development as a representative collaboration model for innovation in robot-specific batteries.

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Additionally, Hyundai Motor Company·Kia will engage in joint marketing with Samsung SDI to expand the base of the robot market. As the first step, they plan to exhibit Hyundai Motor Company·Kia’s service robots DAL-e and MobED at Samsung SDI’s exhibition booth at "InterBattery 2025," scheduled for March. They will demonstrate the exhibited robots to visitors and industry stakeholders, showcasing the growth potential of the robot battery market. The batteries installed in the demonstration robots will be existing Samsung SDI products, but it was explained that in the future, dedicated batteries developed through this collaboration will be installed to enhance performance.

Vice President Janghanje said, "We have expanded our cooperation with Hyundai Motor Company·Kia in the robot market as well. Through this collaboration, we will showcase our differentiated technology and top-quality products in the robot battery market."

Executive Director Hyundongjin stated, "We plan to continuously strive to develop high-performance batteries for robots together with Samsung SDI, which has battery production capabilities. By combining Robotics Lab’s robot technology with Samsung SDI’s battery technology, we expect to improve long-term battery supply stability and supply competitively priced robots through market expansion."

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