Rainbow Robotics
Rainbow Robotics is a South Korean robot maker based in Daejeon, founded in 2011 by researchers from the humanoid robot research centre at KAIST, which built Korea's first two-legged walking robot, HUBO. The company grew from that research into collaborative robots, robot arms and humanoid platforms, and is led by chief executive Jungho Lee. Its RB-Y1 is a wheeled, upper-body bimanual mobile manipulator humanoid for research and development. On 4 January 2025 Samsung Electronics became Rainbow Robotics' largest shareholder by acquiring a stake worth 267 billion won, about US$181 million, lifting its ownership from 14.71 percent to 35 percent, and creating a Future Robotics Office reporting directly to its chief executive. Co-founder Oh Jun-ho, an honorary professor at KAIST who had controlled Rainbow Robotics, became an adviser to Samsung and head of the Future Robotics Office. The tie-up is meant to speed up development of humanoid and other future robots.
💡Notable Achievement: Samsung Electronics became Rainbow Robotics' largest shareholder on 4 January 2025, raising its stake from 14.71 percent to 35 percent for about 267 billion won.
What Does Rainbow Robotics Do?
Rainbow Robotics is a Daejeon company founded in 2011 by KAIST HUBO researchers, with Samsung Electronics as its largest shareholder.
“Korea's HUBO team, now backed by Samsung.”
HUBO Heritage
Founded by the team behind Korea's first biped walking robot.
Samsung Backing
Samsung holds 35 percent.
RB-Y1
A wheeled bimanual mobile manipulator.
What Can Rainbow Robotics Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Bimanual manipulation and research humanoids.
Bimanual Manipulation
RB-Y1 coordinates two arms.
Rainbow Robotics Robots & Robot Dogs
Showing 1 Humanoid Robots of 3 total models
RB-Y1
Manufactured by Rainbow Robotics
The RB-Y1 is a semi-humanoid robot featuring dual 7-DOF arms and a single 6-DOF leg mounted on a wheeled mobile platform. It offers 24 degrees of freedom, enabling versatile and precise movement. The robot is designed for complex tasks in dynamic environments, with capabilities for high-speed operation and sharp turning. It supports master-slave teaching and includes self-collision prevention features, making it suitable for integration with AI solutions.
Rainbow Robotics Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Rainbow Robotics founded
Researchers from KAIST's humanoid robot research centre, who built Korea's first biped HUBO, found Rainbow Robotics in Daejeon.
Source: cyprus-mail.com
Samsung creates Future Robotics Office
Samsung sets up a Future Robotics Office reporting to its chief executive, with Rainbow Robotics co-founder Oh Jun-ho as adviser and head.
Source: news.samsung.com
Samsung becomes largest shareholder
Samsung Electronics takes a 267 billion won stake in Rainbow Robotics, raising its ownership from 14.71 percent to 35 percent.
Source: cyprus-mail.com
Rainbow Robotics Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Rainbow Robotics Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Samsung as anchor shareholder.
- ✓Deep research heritage.
Core Strategic Focus
Humanoid development with Samsung.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Ownership change may alter direction.
- •RB-Y1 price not published.
Rainbow Robotics vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Kinematic Platform
- Rainbow Robotics
- Wheeled Torso / Full Biped
- Reflex Robotics
- Wheeled Balancing Mast
- 1X Technologies
- Wheeled Bimanual Torso
- Boston Dynamics
- Full Dynamic Electric Biped
Waist Degrees of Freedom
- Rainbow Robotics
- 6-DoF Elevating Waist
- Reflex Robotics
- 1-DoF Telescoping Mast
- 1X Technologies
- 2-DoF Pitch/Yaw Spine
- Boston Dynamics
- Full Multi-Axis 360° Waist
Actuator Sourcing
- Rainbow Robotics
- 100% In-House Actuation
- Reflex Robotics
- Commercial Servos & Custom Pulleys
- 1X Technologies
- In-House Direct Drive
- Boston Dynamics
- Custom Proprietary Electric Drives
Commercial Backer
- Rainbow Robotics
- Samsung Electronics (35%)
- Reflex Robotics
- Schematic Ventures
- 1X Technologies
- OpenAI Startup Fund & EQT
- Boston Dynamics
- Hyundai Motor Group (80%)
| Strategic Dimension | Rainbow Robotics(Current) | Reflex Robotics | 1X Technologies | Boston Dynamics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic Platform | Wheeled Torso / Full Biped | Wheeled Balancing Mast | Wheeled Bimanual Torso | Full Dynamic Electric Biped |
| Waist Degrees of Freedom | 6-DoF Elevating Waist | 1-DoF Telescoping Mast | 2-DoF Pitch/Yaw Spine | Full Multi-Axis 360° Waist |
| Actuator Sourcing | 100% In-House Actuation | Commercial Servos & Custom Pulleys | In-House Direct Drive | Custom Proprietary Electric Drives |
| Commercial Backer | Samsung Electronics (35%) | Schematic Ventures | OpenAI Startup Fund & EQT | Hyundai Motor Group (80%) |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Samsung Electronics
Holds 35 percent since January 2025.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Holds 35 percent since January 2025.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Rainbow Robotics Headquarters
HQDaejeon, Yuseong-gu, South Korea
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Rainbow Robotics
RB-Y1 Transforms Industrial Tasks with 360-Degree Mobility and Open-Source Development Framework
News about RB-Y1
RB-Y1 Masters 360° Mecanum Wheels, SDK at ICRA 2025
News about RB-Y1
Robot Comparisons
Showing 2 in-depth comparisons featuring Rainbow Robotics — Explore all comparisons →
RB-Y1 by Rainbow Robotics vs Q5 by Robot Era
Compare RB-Y1 and Q5. Detailed analysis of sensors, navigation, speed, and battery life.
Hiva Humanoid by Haier vs RB-Y1 by Rainbow Robotics
Hiva Humanoid or RB-Y1? Compare specs, navigation, battery, and AI integration in home vs industrial robots.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Rainbow Robotics
What is Rainbow Robotics?
Rainbow Robotics is a South Korean robot maker in Daejeon, founded in 2011 by researchers from KAIST's humanoid robotics centre, and Samsung Electronics is its largest shareholder.
Who owns Rainbow Robotics?
Samsung Electronics became Rainbow Robotics' largest shareholder in January 2025, raising its stake from 14.71 percent to 35 percent by investing about 267 billion won.
Who founded Rainbow Robotics?
Rainbow Robotics was founded in 2011 by researchers from KAIST's Humanoid Robot Research Center, including Oh Jun-ho, who developed Korea's first two-legged walking robot, HUBO.
What is the Rainbow Robotics RB-Y1?
The RB-Y1 is Rainbow Robotics' wheeled, upper-body bimanual mobile manipulator humanoid for research and development, aimed at teaching robots physical tasks.
What is HUBO?
HUBO is Korea's first two-legged walking humanoid robot, developed at KAIST, and its creators went on to found Rainbow Robotics in 2011.
Who is Oh Jun-ho?
Oh Jun-ho is a co-founder of Rainbow Robotics and an honorary KAIST professor. After Samsung's investment he became an adviser to Samsung and head of its Future Robotics Office.
Why did Samsung invest in Rainbow Robotics?
Samsung said the investment would accelerate development of future robots such as humanoids, and created a Future Robotics Office that reports directly to its chief executive.
How much does the RB-Y1 cost?
Rainbow Robotics has not published a public price for the RB-Y1, which is offered mainly to research institutions and companies through direct quotes.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Rainbow Robotics datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.