The Power Revolution in the Age of Robots: Next-Generation Batteries as the Key to Humanoid Commercialization
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The Need for Battery Innovation Driven by Robotics Industry Growth
As of December 2025, the global robotics industry is at an unprecedented turning point. From Tesla’s Optimus in Texas, USA, to Boston Dynamics’ Atlas in Massachusetts, USA, humanoid robots are moving beyond mere display machines to target actual deployment in work environments, revealing a significant technical barrier: the fundamental limitations of energy sources. According to Samsung SDI in Suwon, South Korea, during their Q3 conference call, the robot market is projected to grow 30-fold from 20,000 units in 2025 to over 600,000 units by 2030. This implies an explosive annual growth rate of over 95%, highlighting the importance of next-generation battery technology as a key infrastructure to support such growth.
The limitations of the current lithium-ion battery system are clear. For humanoid robots to work continuously alongside humans for 8-10 hours, energy density must improve by at least 2-3 times compared to the present, yet existing lithium-ion batteries remain at an energy density of 250-300Wh/kg. A more severe issue is safety. It is practically impossible for a humanoid weighing over 100kg, equipped with fire-risk batteries, to work alongside humans for extended periods. Even the 4680 cylindrical batteries in Tesla’s Optimus robot weigh about 15-20kg, significantly restricting the robot’s mobility and work efficiency.
Industry experts are focusing on next-generation battery technologies such as solid-state batteries, lithium-metal batteries, and silicon nanowire-based batteries. Solid-state batteries are evaluated as essential technology for the commercialization of humanoid robots, as they can increase energy density to over 500Wh/kg and fundamentally eliminate fire risks. Samsung SDI stated in their conference call, “Batteries for humanoids require high output and strong durability despite limited installation space,” and mentioned ongoing discussions for further collaboration with multiple robotics companies.
The growth trajectory of the robotics industry further clarifies the need for battery technology innovation. According to data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the global service robot market is expected to grow from approximately $24 billion in 2024 to $103 billion by 2030. Particularly in the humanoid robot sector, although the current market size is minimal, investments by global giants such as Amazon in Seattle, USA, considering humanoid robots for warehouse automation, and Honda in Tokyo, Japan, restarting the ASIMO project, are becoming more pronounced. This market expansion is expected to exponentially increase the demand for high-performance, high-safety batteries.
CES 2026: A Stage for Unveiling Next-Generation Battery Technology
CES 2026, scheduled for January next year, is likely to be a significant turning point for next-generation battery technology. Reviewing the attention battery technology has received at past CES events makes this outlook more convincing. At CES 2023, battery-focused media evaluated that “battery-related technology was one of the most attention-grabbing sectors at this year’s CES,” with particular focus on the potential application of batteries for electric vehicles in robotics. At CES 2024, Samsung Electro-Mechanics in Suwon, South Korea, drew industry attention by unveiling a small solid-state battery for wearables, dubbed the ‘Dream Battery.’
SK On in Seoul, South Korea, has participated in CES for three consecutive years, showcasing electric vehicle battery technology, and in 2024, they particularly hinted at the potential application of high-output battery technology in robotics. At CES 2025, battery-focused media stated, “The core of CES 2025 is battery innovation,” reviewing eight next-generation battery technologies, including solid-state batteries, separately due to concentrated industry interest. Given this trend, CES 2026 is expected to reveal not just a lineup of robot technologies but also a detailed roadmap and commercialization schedule for the next-generation battery technologies that will power them.
Notably, Samsung SDI’s receipt of the top innovation award at CES 2026 for their ultra-high-output battery ‘SDI 25U-Power’ is significant. This battery, an 18650 cylindrical battery with twice the output of existing batteries, has reduced weight by half. In terms of energy density, it offers about 400Wh/kg, showing over 60% improved performance compared to existing lithium-ion batteries. More importantly, this battery can stably supply the instantaneous high output (over 20C) required for driving the joints of humanoid robots. Industry experts estimate that such technological advancements could accelerate the commercialization of humanoid robots by 2-3 years.
Another technology to watch at CES 2026 is the solid-state battery utilizing solid electrolytes. Toyota in Toyota City, Japan, is developing a solid-state battery targeting mass production by 2027, demonstrating innovative performance with an energy density of 500Wh/kg and the ability to drive 1,200km on a 10-minute charge. Applying this to humanoid robots could enable continuous operation for 8-10 hours, overcoming the current limit of 2-3 hours. China’s CATL in Ningde has also announced mass production of solid-state batteries in the first half of 2026, with these technologies likely to be unveiled at CES 2026 alongside robotic application cases.
Strategies of Global Battery Companies Entering the Robotics Market
The 4680 cylindrical batteries in Tesla’s humanoid robot ‘Optimus’ are currently supplied mainly by Panasonic Holdings in Osaka, Japan, and LG Energy Solution in Seoul, South Korea. Panasonic’s 4680 battery offers an energy density of 300Wh/kg and an output density of 4,000W/kg, enhancing energy by 5 times and output by 6 times compared to the existing 2170 battery. However, there are still limitations for long-term operation of humanoid robots, and Tesla is reportedly considering introducing next-generation battery technology from 2026.
LG Energy Solution announced in their ‘Vision 2028’ strategy that they would diversify their portfolio to reduce reliance on electric vehicles. President Kim Dong-myung stated at the corporate vision sharing session, “We will cultivate robots, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), and ships as new growth engines,” and projected the robot battery market size to reach $15 billion by 2030. The company is currently supplying high-energy-density batteries based on NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) 811 to robotics companies and plans to begin mass production of next-generation batteries using silicon nanowire anodes from 2026.
In the Chinese market, CATL and BYD in Shenzhen are vying to dominate the robot battery market. CATL’s ‘Qilin’ battery boasts ultra-fast charging technology, capable of charging 80% capacity in 10 minutes at an energy density of 255Wh/kg, significantly enhancing the operational efficiency of humanoid robots. BYD has maximized safety and cost competitiveness with their LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) based ‘Blade’ battery and is expanding cooperation with robot manufacturers in China. Notably, BYD’s Blade battery has proven its safety by not igniting even in nail penetration tests, making it favorable for humanoid robot applications.
In Japan, besides Panasonic, Murata Manufacturing in Kyoto is focusing on the small robot battery market. The company is increasing investment in developing small high-output batteries for wearable and collaborative robots, setting a sales target of 120 billion yen for 2025, a 40% increase from the previous year. Toshiba in Tokyo has also started supplying high-speed charging batteries to robotics companies, based on their SCiB (Super Charge ion Battery) technology, capable of charging 90% capacity in 6 minutes.
In Europe, Northvolt in Stockholm, Sweden, is concentrating on research and development with the goal of mass-producing solid-state batteries by 2026, while BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is exploring entry into the robot battery market through battery material technology. Northvolt, in particular, is investing in battery technology development for autonomous and humanoid robots through collaboration with Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden, aiming to secure a 20% market share in the robot battery market by 2030.
In this global competitive landscape, the technological competitiveness of Korean companies is at a considerably high level. Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution are in a favorable position to apply their large-capacity, high-output battery technology accumulated in electric vehicles to the robotics market, particularly showing competitive advantages in safety and durability. However, with aggressive price competition from Chinese companies and ongoing technological innovation from Japanese companies, the speed of next-generation battery technology development and commercialization is expected to be a key factor determining market dominance.
The growth of the robotics industry is inevitably driving the expansion of demand for next-generation batteries. Although currently in the early stages of technology development, full-scale commercialization is expected to begin around 2026-2027, becoming a new growth engine for the entire battery industry. The next-generation battery technologies to be unveiled at CES 2026 are anticipated to be a critical turning point in determining the commercialization timing and market expansion speed of humanoid robots. Now is the time to closely examine the next-generation battery value chain and pay proactive attention to the technology development trends and market entry strategies of related companies.
*This analysis is based on publicly available information and recommends additional due diligence and expert consultation for investment decisions.
