- Major players such as Apple, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Google are aggressively exploring robotics technologies.
Samsung and Nvidia, in a bid to capitalise on the evolving opportunities in robotics—particularly those enabled by artificial intelligence, are investing in Skild AI Inc as a frontier of future growth.
Samsung is committing $10 million and Nvidia $25 million into Skild, a startup specialising in advanced robotics software.
Skild AI’s ongoing Series B funding round, anchored by a substantial $100 million investment from Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp, and values the company at approximately $4.5 billion.
The valuation not only reflects the growing market interest in robotics but also highlights the competitive nature of this sector.
Strategic move
Samsung’s decision to acquire a minority stake appears to be a strategic move to maintain insight into Skild’s technological innovations and talent pool, without committing to a dominant ownership position.
This also aligns with broader trends within South Korean corporate circles, as other conglomerates such as LG, Hanwha, and Mirae Asset have similarly invested between $5 million and $10 million in Skild. Such investments exemplify a concerted effort by South Korean firms to keep pace with global advances in robotics.
Nvidia’s investment is consistent with its broader vision promoting “physical AI,” a term the company uses to describe robotics and autonomous vehicles as transformative future revenue sources.
Nvidia’s comprehensive approach includes developing semiconductors, software platforms, and services aimed at accelerating the realisation of intelligent machines capable of autonomous operation.
Robotics innovation
The strategy is evidently in harmony with the current momentum within the technology sector, where major players such as Apple, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Google are aggressively exploring robotics technologies.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s long-anticipated Optimus robot represents another high-profile demonstration of the sector’s potential.
Despite these collaborative developments, Samsung internally views certain aspects of Skild’s technology as less advanced compared to competitors, a candid acknowledgment that reflects the highly competitive and rapidly evolving nature of the field. Samsung’s robotics ambitions extend beyond minority investments.
The company already offers robot vacuum cleaners and is exploring more sophisticated applications, including humanoid robots and innovative household machines like the Ballie—a compact device capable of projecting video onto walls, developed in partnership with Google.
Furthermore, Samsung is the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics, a key player in humanoid robotics, reinforcing its commitment to leading-edge robotics innovation.