Samsung SDI to debut solid-state batteries for robots

Samsung SDI, a South Korean battery maker, will display a pouch-style all-solid-state battery sample for humanoids and other robots at InterBattery 2026 in Seoul.

The company said this will be its first public showing of an all-solid-state battery aimed at physical AI applications.

Samsung SDI has developed prismatic all-solid-state batteries for EVs and is aiming to begin mass production in the second half of next year.

To expand use beyond vehicles, the company said it is diversifying form factors and adapting the technology into pouch cells where appropriate for robotics, aviation platforms, and wearable devices.

The company said pouch cells reduce weight while maintaining safety and stable power output.

🔗 Source: Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Samsung SDI’s solid-state battery work signals a market shift

Samsung SDI has said its solid-state battery for electric vehicles aims for 500 Wh/kg, compared with about 270 Wh/kg for mainstream batteries 1.
Humanoid robots often place energy storage in the chest, so compact high-energy cells can extend operating time 2.
EV demand has cooled for Korean battery makers, so Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution (a South Korean battery maker), and SK On (the battery subsidiary of South Korea’s SK Group) are moving toward robotics and AI data centers 3.
A partnership with Hyundai Motor Group (a South Korean automaker) adds hands-on work on batteries tailored for robot use 2.

Stronger cells could speed up humanoid deployment

Energy storage limits how long humanoid robots run and how much physical work they can do 2.
Sources cited by the Korea Herald say Hyundai Motor Group’s Atlas humanoid runs for three to four hours in low-intensity conditions and can swap its own batteries without help 2.
Higher energy density plus stronger power output could make larger factory rollouts more practical.
BMW and Tesla already use humanoids from Figure AI (a startup building humanoid robots) and internal programs for manufacturing tasks 4.
Improved battery tech could push adoption toward a projected total of nearly 6.8 million units by 2035 5.