The RB-Y1 options two arms mounted on a wheeled cellular platform. | Supply: Rainbow Robotics
Rainbow Robotics, a Korean robotics developer that spun out of the Humanoid Robotic Analysis Middle of KAIST, unveiled two new options for its RB-Y1 system at ICRA 2025 this week. RB-Y1 is a semi-humanoid robotic that includes a torso and two arms with a wheeled base.
The RB-Y1 options two arms with seven levels of freedom (DoF) every, a 6-DoF single leg, and a wheel-based cellular platform. Designed to assist a variety of growth environments, the robotic gives open software programming interfaces (APIs) and modular choices.
“Our humanoid robotic is purpose-built for AI researchers and builders,” acknowledged Jungwoo Heo, chief expertise officer of Rainbow Robotics. “As our message ‘That is Your Humanoid, Make it Excellent for Your AI Resolution’ suggests, it’s designed to supply a platform optimized for making use of numerous AI applied sciences.”
RB-Y1 beneficial properties two new options
Rainbow Robotics mentioned it has added a Mecanum wheel system and a software program growth package (SDK) for the RB-Y1. The Mecanum system is an omnidirectional expertise, permitting for 360-degree motion and considerably enhancing maneuverability in constrained areas.
The built-in RB-Y1 SDK is appropriate with varied modules, together with the inertial measurement unit (IMU), gripper, and lidar. This allows the humanoid to be simply personalized to suit a variety of analysis and growth functions, the firm mentioned.
“With the disclosing of the Mecanum Wheel system and built-in SDK at ICRA 2025, we goal to determine Rainbow Robotics as a expertise chief within the world humanoid robotics market,” mentioned Jungwoo Heo.
Since its public debut in March 2024, RB-Y1 has obtained pre-orders from establishments worldwide. Main universities, together with MIT, UC Berkeley, the College of Washington, and Georgia Tech, in addition to corporations throughout varied industries, are at the moment utilizing the cellular manipulator.
Rainbow Robotics mentioned it’s increasing its native footprint by way of its U.S. subsidiary in Chicago, offering technical assist and fostering collaborations with AI builders throughout the area.
Samsung acquires majority stake in Rainbow Robotics
In December, Samsung Electronics Co. elevated its stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35%. Samsung first acquired a 14.7% stake in its fellow South Korean firm for KRW 86.8 billion ($59 million U.S.).
Samsung is now the biggest stakeholder in Rainbow Robotics, and plans to include the robotics developer as a subsidiary below Samsung’s consolidated monetary statements. The firm mentioned the mix of Rainbow’s robotics expertise with its AI and software program will “speed up the event of clever superior humanoids.”
Along with RB-Y1, Rainbow Robotics additionally presents an autonomous cellular robotic (AMR). The serving AMR options the corporate’s grid-free SLAM expertise, which permits it to acknowledge its personal location and carry out autonomous driving capabilities.
Different latest partnerships round humanoid robots embody Apptronik and Google DeepMind, Determine AI and OpenAI, Realbotix with Amazon Net Companies and Compass UOL, Schaeffler and Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics and the Toyota Analysis Institute.
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