Samsung to deploy AI-powered private 5G networks for South Korean industrial robotics trials

Samsung Electronics has secured contracts with KT and SK Telecom to supply equipment and software for South Korea's government-funded Hyper AI Network program, which will test the integration of private 5G networks and edge AI to support industrial robots in shipyards and petrochemical facilities. The two-year initiative, launching in October 2026, targets predictable uplink performance, low latency, and high reliability rather than peak download speeds typical of consumer networks. The program aims to demonstrate whether AI-RAN technology can deliver practical value that industrial operators are willing to purchase at commercial scale.

Samsung will supply equipment and software infrastructure for two separate industrial robotics trials operating under South Korea's government-funded initiative. The program allocates roughly $12.7 million across two competing consortia, with deployment beginning in October 2026. These pilots will operate using current 5G technology configured for private networks rather than consumer-facing infrastructure, focusing on specific operational demands like stable latency, reliable uplink capacity, and localized data processing in manufacturing environments.

The technical integration being tested combines network automation powered by AI systems with distributed computing resources positioned at the network edge. KT's portion of the trials will focus on shipyard applications including robotic welding and painting equipment, while the broader program aims eventually to evaluate humanoid robotics. The central challenge is determining whether the added technical complexity and infrastructure requirements justify measurable improvements in safety, productivity, or operating costs compared to conventional industrial network setups.