Seoul: The head of Samsung SDI Co.'s research center announced that the battery manufacturer plans to navigate challenges associated with the slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) industry by exploring new opportunities in the energy storage system (ESS) and robotics sectors.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Joo Yong-lak, executive vice president and head of Samsung SDI's R and D center, made these remarks during InterBattery 2026, South Korea's largest battery industry trade show, which recently commenced in Seoul. Joo emphasized the company's proactive efforts in adapting to emerging sectors, stating that the battery industry is evolving as a key growth engine, extending beyond EVs to include ESS, robotics, and urban air mobility.

Joo further elaborated on Samsung SDI's strategic direction, highlighting plans to seek out innovative technologies that will drive the transformation of the future energy market. The company aims to strengthen its competitive edge by addressing rising demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. He projected that the global ESS market would significantly expand, reaching a combined capacity of 1,232 gigawatt-hours (GWh), a considerable increase from 399 GWh recorded in 2024.

Demand in the robotics industry is also anticipated to surge, growing from a mere 0.03 GWh in 2025 to 1.4 GWh by 2030. Similarly, the urban air mobility sector is expected to see a rise in demand from 3.7 GWh in 2030 to 68 GWh in 2035. In response to these market trends, Joo mentioned that Samsung SDI is developing next-generation battery products.

As part of its initiatives, Samsung SDI showcased a pouch-type all-solid-state battery prototype tailored for emerging physical AI applications at the trade show. The company plans to commence mass production of this advanced battery technology in the latter half of 2027.