Samsung SDS Expands AI Business from Data Centres to Factory Robotics
Samsung SDS broadens AI efforts with global infrastructure investment, cloud growth, and a robotics platform linking production equipment.
Samsung SDS is extending its AI operations from data centres and cloud services into manufacturing systems by investing in global AI infrastructure and developing a robotics platform that integrates production equipment, signalling a broader application of AI technology across IT and manufacturing environments.
Quick Skim
Cloud Business Growth and Global AI Infrastructure Investment
Samsung SDS reported a revenue increase of 5.9% to KRW 3.7178 trillion and an operating profit rise of 0.7% to KRW 231.8 billion in the first half of 2023. Cloud revenue specifically grew 17% to KRW 779.4 billion, outpacing total IT services revenue growth of 5%.
The company’s cloud services segment, including its cloud service provider (CSP) and managed service provider (MSP) operations, expanded by 24% and 17% respectively year-on-year. Growth drivers included Samsung Cloud Platform demand, GPU cloud service expansion for public sector and external users, and AI-driven projects in finance and shipbuilding ERP systems.
In 2023, Samsung SDS introduced AI computing services based on NVIDIA B300 GPUs and a neural processing unit cloud service using FuriosaAI’s RNGD. These developments provide hardware resources tailored to AI workloads in enterprise contexts.
Globally, Samsung SDS joined a collective investment by Samsung affiliates to contribute towards a US$1 billion injection into Helix Digital Infrastructure, a KKR-founded firm specialising in data centres and related infrastructure. The precise investment amount by Samsung SDS was not disclosed.
Manufacturing Systems Integration with Robotics
Samsung SDS is progressing towards an integrated robotics orchestration platform aimed for release in 2027, connecting multiple robots with existing production systems to coordinate operational tasks. The initiative is positioned as an expansion of the company’s established manufacturing execution systems (MES) and automation services portfolio, which includes support for approximately 430 customers across semiconductor, battery, biotechnology, automotive, materials, components, and food sectors.
The company has undertaken strategic investment in physical AI through a June 2023 stake in US-based Walden Robotics. Samsung SDS is leveraging this partnership to automate manual factory processes and integrate robotics technologies with legacy manufacturing systems.
Implications for Industrial Operations
Samsung SDS’s approach aims to connect extensive data centre AI capabilities – including GPU and NPU computing – with practical applications on factory floors through robotics and automation. The combined infrastructure, cloud services, and manufacturing operations development could enable more cohesive AI adoption in production environments, supporting operational optimisation and workforce task automation.
The success of this expansion will depend on adoption of the robotics platform, integration effectiveness, and the impact on productivity and supply chain performance across Asia-Pacific manufacturing sites.
Samsung SDS intends to continue evolving its AI strategy by combining infrastructure provision, enterprise system implementation, and manufacturing operations expertise. Upcoming milestones to monitor include the launch of its robotics platform in 2027 and performance indicators from AI computing services and customer deployments.
