Samsung C-Lab Inside Projects at CES Explained

Samsung’s C-Lab Inside program showcases experimental projects from its employees at CES each year, and the lineup for 2025 includes nine new projects spanning AI, digital health, and accessibility. These projects are internal incubations that Samsung selects to exhibit at the world’s largest tech trade show, giving them a public debut before they potentially become standalone startups or commercial products.

What Is C-Lab Inside?

C-Lab Inside is Samsung Electronics’ internal venture incubation program, launched in 2015. It allows employees to pitch ideas, form small teams, and develop them with company support—funding, mentoring, and access to design and engineering resources. The program runs for a fixed period (typically a year or two), after which projects either graduate into Samsung’s main business units, spin off as independent startups, or are discontinued.

At CES, Samsung brings a selection of these projects to its booth to demonstrate the company’s innovative culture and to gauge public and media reaction. The projects are often early prototypes, not final products, and their presence at CES does not guarantee a commercial release.

How C-Lab Inside Projects Get Selected for CES

Not every C-Lab project makes it to CES. Samsung chooses projects that are visually compelling, address current tech trends, and have a clear story to tell. The selection process involves internal reviews, and the chosen projects are typically those that can be demonstrated live—wearable devices, smart home gadgets, AI apps, and health monitors work well on a show floor.

For example, the 2025 lineup includes:

ProLogue: A smart insole that analyzes gait and posture to help prevent injuries.
Alfhed: A pet health monitoring device that tracks vital signs and activity.
Solapi: A real-time sign language translation app using AI.
Mood Lamp: A lamp that changes color and brightness based on your emotional state, detected via a wearable.
Sound Garden: An audio-based meditation app that generates personalized soundscapes.
Pixie: A smart ring that controls other devices with gestures.
Bellytime: A wearable for pregnant women that tracks fetal movements and contractions.
Eco-Friends: A set of modular sensors that monitor indoor air quality and energy use.
Waffle: A portable projector that turns any flat surface into a touchscreen.

All nine were present at CES 2025, held in Las Vegas in January.

What Happens to C-Lab Inside Projects After CES?

For many projects, CES is a launchpad. After the show, Samsung evaluates the feedback and decides the next step. Some projects are spun off into independent companies, with Samsung retaining a minority stake. Others are absorbed into Samsung’s product divisions. For instance, earlier C-Lab projects like Linkflower (a smart flowerpot) and Eyelike (a braille reader) were spun off as separate startups.

In 2025, Samsung also runs a separate program called C-Lab Outside, which supports external startups, but the CES booth is primarily for Inside projects. The company typically announces which projects will be at CES a few weeks before the event, and the list is often a mix of hardware and software.

How to See C-Lab Inside Projects at CES

If you’re attending CES, C-Lab Inside projects are usually located in Samsung’s main booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center. They are often in a dedicated area, sometimes called the “C-Lab Zone.” Samsung also provides a digital showcase on its website for those who can’t attend.

To get the most out of the experience:

Check the CES app for the exact booth number and demo times.
Arrive early—demos can get crowded, especially for popular projects.
Ask the developers questions; they are usually on hand to explain the tech.
Collect press materials or business cards if you want to follow the project’s progress.

Common Misconceptions About C-Lab Inside

One common misconception is that C-Lab projects are consumer-ready products. In reality, most are prototypes with limited functionality. For example, the sign language app Solapi might only recognize a few hundred phrases, and the smart ring Pixie may only work with specific Samsung devices. They are demonstrations of potential, not final products.

Another misconception is that all C-Lab projects come from Samsung’s headquarters in Korea. While many do, the program is global, with projects from Samsung R&D centers in various countries. However, the CES lineup is typically dominated by Korean teams.

Cost and Availability of C-Lab Projects

Most C-Lab projects are not available for purchase. They exist only as prototypes. If a project is spun off, the new company may eventually sell a product, but that can take years. For example, MediBell, a medication reminder device, was spun off in 2018 and its product was available for purchase in select markets.

For those interested in the technology, Samsung sometimes publishes white papers or technical details on its C-Lab website, but the actual devices are rarely sold directly to consumers.

Comparisons: C-Lab Inside vs. Other Incubators

C-Lab Inside is often compared to Google’s Area 120 or Microsoft’s Garage. All three are internal incubators, but there are differences:

Focus: C-Lab Inside is heavily hardware-oriented, while Google and Microsoft focus more on software and services.
Spin-off rate: Samsung actively spins off projects into independent companies, more so than the others.
CES presence: Samsung uses CES as a major showcase, which is unique among the three.

This hardware focus is a natural fit for a company that manufactures displays, chips, and sensors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does C-Lab stand for?

C-Lab stands for “Creative Lab.” It’s Samsung’s internal innovation program where employees can work on their own ideas.

How many C-Lab projects have been shown at CES?

Since 2016, Samsung has brought over 100 C-Lab projects to CES. The exact number varies each year, with 2025 having nine.

Can I buy a C-Lab product?

Generally, no. Most C-Lab projects are prototypes. Only a few have been commercialized after being spun off, and those are typically sold through the new startup’s own channels.

How can I apply to C-Lab Inside?

C-Lab Inside is open to Samsung employees. If you work at Samsung, you can pitch your idea through the internal portal. External entrepreneurs can apply to C-Lab Outside, which is a separate program.

Are C-Lab projects open source?

No, C-Lab projects are proprietary to Samsung. However, after a spin-off, the new company may choose to open-source parts of the technology, but this is rare.

What is the success rate of C-Lab projects?

Samsung doesn’t publish official success rates. Of the over 100 projects showcased at CES, roughly a third have been spun off, and a few have been integrated into Samsung products. The rest are discontinued.

Formula used

in t | Number of projects | - | 9 | 0 | 100
in y | Year of CES | - | 2025 | 2016 | 2030
out total | Total projects shown | - | t | 0

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →