Samsung SDI Targets Solid-State Batteries for Humanoid Robots

Samsung SDI used a side event at Inter Battery 2026 in Seoul to promote its solid‑state battery efforts, with a focus on robotics applications. The company said solid‑state cells could deliver absolute safety while being light and offering high energy density, enabling up to eight hours of operation for service robots.

The firm highlighted its new solid‑state battery brand, SolidStack, and argued that the technology could be a decisive factor in the rise of humanoid robots. An executive from Samsung SDI emphasized that the company has built a strong IP position, with around 1,000 solid‑state battery patent applications and more than 500 granted patents worldwide.

Samsung SDI said it aims to complete mass‑production readiness for solid‑state batteries by next year and to help set global battery standards in the robotics market. The statements come as automations and AI‑driven devices push demand for safer, higher‑density power sources in robotics.

Market outlook cited by the company projected a strong expansion in service robots, from about 500,000 units last year to roughly 2.04 million by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of around 32%. Humanoid robots were estimated to comprise about one million of that total, underscoring the potential scale of demand for advanced batteries.

Beyond solid‑state chemistry, Samsung SDI outlined four key battery attributes for robots: high energy density and rapid charging, high power output, safety, and design flexibility. To support these goals, the company is focusing on advancing cylindrical cells, flexible pack designs, and technologies to block heat diffusion.

In addition to solid‑state cells, Samsung SDI discussed supplying cylindrical batteries with high‑nickel NCA cathodes, silicon‑graphite composite anodes, and a tabless high‑power structure to global robotics players. The company also touted a robust patent portfolio in cylindrical battery components, noting more than 700 related patents.

The company revealed SolidStack pouch‑type solid‑state battery samples publicly for humanoid robots during the conference’s opening days, aiming to showcase its readiness for commercial robotics applications. The public demonstration underscored Samsung SDI’s push to position its battery tech at the heart of the next generation of automation.

Why this matters beyond Korea: solid‑state batteries represent a potential inflection point for the U.S. robotics and AI ecosystem. Safer, higher‑density power sources can extend robot uptime, reduce maintenance, and enable more capable autonomous systems across manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors. If Samsung SDI’s developments translate into scalable, globally available products, they could influence supply chains, competition, and collaboration in a fast‑moving American tech landscape, as U.S. firms seek reliable power solutions for increasingly autonomous devices and “physical AI” applications.