Samsung Research America, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new research and development center in Mountain View, California, on Wednesday.

Its 8.5-acre campus will have two six-story buildings, which take up approximately 385,000 square feet, and two multistory parking lots.

“Our new state-of-the-art R&D center will provide an outstanding environment to support our plans for strategic growth and attracting the very best employees,” said SRA president Daniel Eum.

With occupancy at the center set to begin in December next year, the electronics firm is expected to step up its research efforts in Silicon Valley, the heart of the world’s technology innovation.

“This expansion, in addition to Samsung Semiconductor Inc.’s new San Jose campus, builds upon Samsung’s 35-year history in the Bay Area and reinforces our commitment to the valley.”

Research on a range of products and services will be conducted, according to a Samsung official in Korea.

Around $190 billion will be invested in building the new facilities and employing researchers, according to a report.

It was also reported that researchers would especially focus on software, content and services, and user experience for consumer products.

Samsung has more than 34 large-scale R&D centers and labs around the world.

The Samsung official said the total number of R&D centers and labs is even bigger when counting small labs, which are run by individual business units of the tech giant.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)