SES AI Unveils an AI-Enhanced 2170 Cylindrical Cell for Humanoid Robotics and Drone Applications at CES 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

SES AI (NYSE: SES) has unveiled an innovative AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical battery cell at CES 2025, specifically designed for humanoid robotics and drone applications. The cell features a groundbreaking electrolyte material discovered through SES AI's Molecular Universe initiative, developed in collaboration with NVIDIA.

The new technology has dramatically reduced the molecule mapping process from 8,000 years to just 2 months through advanced GPU and computing software. The AI-enhanced cell combines standard 2170 Li-ion form factor with improved features including enhanced low temperature performance, high-rate capabilities, and reduced gassing and thermal risks.

According to CEO Qichao Hu, this development addresses specific OEM requirements and opens new market opportunities in Li-ion 2170 cells. The worldwide market for Li-ion cylindrical cells is valued at $10 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $50 billion by 2033.

Positive

• Revolutionary AI-discovered electrolyte material implementation in battery technology
• Significant reduction in molecule mapping time from 8,000 years to 2 months
• Entry into $10bn Li-ion cylindrical cell market with growth potential to $50bn by 2033
• Enhanced battery performance features addressing specific OEM requirements

Negative

• None.

Insights

Battery Technology Expert

The unveiling of SES AI's new AI-discovered electrolyte for 2170 cylindrical cells represents a significant technological breakthrough in the battery industry. The AI-accelerated discovery process, reducing 8,000 years of computational work to 2 months, demonstrates exceptional efficiency in materials science. The new electrolyte addresses critical performance limitations in traditional Li-ion cells, particularly in gassing reduction, low-temperature performance and cycling stability - key factors for robotics applications.

The market opportunity is substantial, with the cylindrical cell market projected to grow from $10 billion to $50 billion by 2033. This development could position SES AI as a key player in both traditional Li-ion and Li-Metal markets, potentially capturing significant market share in the rapidly growing robotics and drone sectors. The collaboration with NVIDIA for GPU-accelerated computation chemistry adds credibility to their technological capabilities.

AI Research Analyst

The integration of AI in battery development marks a paradigm shift in materials discovery. By mapping 10^11 molecules for battery electrolytes, SES AI has created a competitive moat through their Molecular Universe platform. The partnership with industry leaders like NVIDIA, Supermicro and Crusoe strengthens their technological infrastructure and validates their approach. For investors, this represents a unique intersection of AI and energy storage technology, potentially creating a defensible market position through proprietary AI-discovered materials.

Think of this as the equivalent of having a supercomputer screening millions of candidates to find the perfect employee - but at a molecular level. This approach could significantly reduce R&D costs and accelerate future innovations, creating a scalable advantage in the battery industry.

World’s first battery to use an electrolyte material discovered by SES AI’s Molecular Universe efforts, a collaboration with NVIDIA on GPU-accelerated computation chemistry

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES AI Corporation “SES AI” (NYSE: SES), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of AI-enhanced high-performance Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries, today unveiled an entirely new AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical cell for emerging humanoid robotics applications at the 2025 CES Show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SES unveiled the world’s first battery using an electrolyte material discovered through its Molecular Universe efforts, introducing a new AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical cell designed for emerging humanoid robotics applications. (Photo: Business Wire)

SES AI’s new 2170 cylindrical cell is the first battery that uses an electrolyte discovered by SES AI’s Molecular Universe effort, which is mapping the physical and chemical properties of the entire universe of small molecules suitable for battery electrolytes (10^11 molecules). The latest advancements in GPU and computing software have accelerated the time to map the single molecule properties of the Molecular Universe from more than 8,000 years to just 2 months. This transformation in molecule discovery originates from the collaboration SES AI entered into with NVIDIA, Supermicro and Crusoe in September 2024 and was featured at the 2024 Supercomputing event.

This AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical cell combines both the industry-standard form factor and large-scale availability of 2170 Li-ion cells with the enhanced low temperature, high-rate performance and high-capacity cycling stability, and reduced gassing and thermal risks of this new electrolyte discovered by AI. The new cell delivers a compact easy-to-integrate high-energy density and high-power density cell for customers in humanoid robots, drones and other applications.

Founder and CEO Qichao Hu, noted, “We were asked by several OEMs to find an electrolyte that would solve the gassing and poor low temperature cycling and rate performance issues they were experiencing with traditional Li-ion 2170 cells used in high-energy applications. We believe the new electrolyte we have discovered through our AI solves this issue and opens a new market for us in Li-ion 2170 cells, which are predominantly used in robotics and drone applications. The worldwide market for Li-ion cylindrical cells alone is currently estimated at $10bn in 2023 and expected to grow to $50bn by 2033 according to Allied Market Research. Using this electrolyte in our new cells as well as Li-Metal applications creates additional revenue potential we had not previously anticipated.”

Come and learn about these AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical cells at:

Location: CES 2025, Booth 9353, LVCC North Hall

Dates: January 7^th to 10^th

Please contact partnership@ses.ai to schedule one-on-one meetings at CES 2025

About SES AI:

SES AI Corp. (NYSE: SES) is powering the future of global electric transportation on land and in the air with the world’s most advanced Li-Metal batteries. SES AI is the first battery company in the world to accelerate its pace of innovation by utilizing superintelligent AI across the spectrum of its business, from research and development; materials sourcing; cell design; engineering and manufacturing; to battery health and safety monitoring. Founded in 2012, SES AI is an Li-Metal battery developer and manufacturer headquartered in Boston and with operations in Singapore, Shanghai, and Seoul. Learn more at SES.AI.

SES AI may use its website as a distribution channel of material company information. Financial and other important information regarding SES AI is routinely posted on and accessible through the Company’s website at www.ses.ai. Accordingly, investors should monitor this channel, in addition to following SES AI’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that SES AI believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SES AI. Although SES AI believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot provide assurance that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “strive”, “target”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties materialize, or should any of SES AI’s assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to the following risks: risks related to the development and commercialization of SES AI’s battery technology and the timing and achievement of expected business milestones; risks relating to the uncertainty of achieving and maintaining profitability; risks relating to the uncertainty of meeting future capital requirements; the ability of SES to integrate its products into electric vehicles (“EVs”) and Urban Air Mobility (“UAM"), drones and other applications; the risk that delays in the pre-manufacturing development of SES AI’s battery cells could adversely affect SES AI’s business and prospects; the market for air mobility, and for use of Li-Metal technology in air mobility applications, is still emerging and may not achieve the growth potential we expect; the risk that the market for SES AI’s AI-based services is still emerging, and its AI programs may not achieve the growth potential SES AI expects; risks relating to the development of the UAM market and demand for batteries from the UAM industry; potential supply chain difficulties; the ability of SES AI to engage target original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) customers successfully and integrate SES AI’s products into EVs manufactured by OEM customers; the ability to obtain raw materials, components or equipment through new or existing supply relationships; our use of artificial intelligence and machine learning may result in legal and regulatory risk; risks resulting from SES AI’s joint development agreements and other strategic alliances and investments; product liability and other potential litigation, regulation and legal compliance; SES AI’s ability to attract, train and retain highly skilled employees and key personnel; developments in alternative technology or other fossil fuel alternatives; risks related to SES AI’s intellectual property; business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks related to SES AI’s business operations outside the United States; SES AI’s failure to satisfy certain NYSE listing requirements may result in its Class A common stock being delisted from the NYSE, which could eliminate or adversely affect the trading market for SES AI’s Class A common stock; the volatility of SES AI’s common stock and value of SES AI’s public warrants; and the other risks described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2024 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC. There may be additional risks that SES AI presently knows and/or believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect SES AI’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views only as of the date of this press release. SES AI anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while SES AI may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, SES AI specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing SES AI’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250106534441/en/

For the media:

pr@ses.ai

For investors:

ir@ses.ai

Source: SES AI Corporation

FAQ

What is unique about SES AI's new 2170 cylindrical battery cell announced at CES 2025?

SES AI's new 2170 cylindrical cell is the first battery to use an AI-discovered electrolyte material through their Molecular Universe initiative, offering enhanced low temperature performance, high-rate capabilities, and reduced thermal risks.

How much time reduction did SES achieve in molecule mapping through AI implementation?

SES AI reduced the molecule mapping process from over 8,000 years to just 2 months using advanced GPU and computing software in collaboration with NVIDIA.

What is the market size for Li-ion cylindrical cells that SES AI is targeting?

The worldwide market for Li-ion cylindrical cells is currently estimated at $10 billion (2023) and is expected to grow to $50 billion by 2033 according to Allied Market Research.

What applications is SES AI's new 2170 cylindrical cell designed for?

The new battery cell is specifically designed for humanoid robotics, drones, and other high-energy applications requiring improved performance and reduced thermal risks.

When and where will SES showcase their new AI-enhanced battery technology?

SES AI will showcase their AI-enhanced 2170 cylindrical cells at CES 2025, Booth 9353, LVCC North Hall, from January 7th to 10th.