Samsung creates research division for drones and robotics

10 Feb 2015

Never wanting to be left too far behind, Samsung has revealed it’s to create an advanced research division to look into drones, robotics and autonomous vehicles.

Given its continuing struggle to reach the dominant levels of Apple or Google, Samsung are hedging their bets that their ‘product innovation team’ will give them the boost it needs to develop some of the most advanced technologies.

Aside from working on robotics and drones however, the team led by Samsung’s head of mobile, Shin Jong-kyun, will also work on some other rapidly-advancing technologies including 3D-printing, virtual reality (VR) and telepresence robots, as most memorably seen with the robot used to allow Edward Snowden to communicate with audience members in another country.

According to the Korea Times, the company will effectively be a spin-out company from Samsung and will have no requirement to report directly to the South Korean company, despite already making their own advancements, particularly when it comes to VR and its own headset, the Samsung Gear VR, and its collaboration with Oculus and its Oculus Rift.

Its decision to not have it directly tied to the company may prove a wise financial decision given the news that Apple effectively dominates the smartphone market with a recent report showing it amassed 93pc of the world’s entire profits whereas Samsung accounts for just 9pc.

Speaking of the creation of this new team, a spokesperson for Samsung said, “Given the significance of the team, members will have more authority and independence because the main purpose of the team isn’t to develop single devices for any imminent results, but to develop solutions to go with Samsung’s manufacturing capabilities.”

Samsung display image via Shutterstock

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

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