EcoPro Co. is focusing on the humanoid robot industry to find growth markets beyond electric vehicles. The company plans to accelerate the development of high-nickel cathode materials and next-generation solid-state battery technology for use in humanoid robots.
South Korean battery makers, including LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, have announced similar plans to supply batteries for the humanoid robot sector. This shift is driven by the need for batteries with higher energy density than those used in electric vehicles.
According to CRU, solid-state batteries can further increase energy density. The robotics industry is also noted to be more tolerant of higher costs compared to electric vehicle manufacturers.
EcoPro expects high-nickel batteries to become the mainstream choice for humanoid robots, while the humanoid robot industry may serve as a testbed for all-solid-state batteries. All-solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes used in traditional lithium-ion batteries.
EcoPro currently operates a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 40 tons of sulfide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. The company is discussing product supply for the trial production stage with customers and plans to start commercial production next year.
According to Sam Adham of CRU, the humanoid robot industry is expected to reach a true explosion point up until the second half of the next decade. The industry still needs breakthroughs in technology, cost, manufacturing scale, and social acceptance.
