LG unveils robotic exoskeleton CLOi SuitBot

Seen is a model wearing LG Electronics' robotic exoskeleton CLOi SuitBot. / Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Baek Byung-yeul

LG Electronics has unveiled a robotic exoskeleton that supports and enhances the human body, extending its reach into the booming robot business.

LG said Friday it will debut the CLOi SuitBot “wearable robot” at the upcoming IFA electronics show in Berlin from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5.

The CLOi SuitBot is similar to exoskeleton robotic suits we have seen in sci-fi movies. By wearing it, users can strengthen their legs and lower body to lift and move heavy objects more easily. LG said the CLOi SuitBot can be used in everyday life to assist those with physical limitations.

“LG CLOi SuitBot is evidence of our full commitment to expanding our portfolio of service robots that deliver tangible convenience and innovation in our lives,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of the home appliance and air solution unit at LG, said.

LG said the CLOi SuitBot was designed in collaboration with SG Robotics, a local startup specializing in wearable robotics. LG bought shares in the local startup last year and has accumulated robotic technology in technical cooperation with the company.

LG claimed the CLOi SuitBot has a comfortable fit and naturally rotating joints to allow users to move in a more natural way to enhance the lower body while walking, standing or working. It has sandal-type shoes and an automatic adjustment feature so that users can get in and out of the exoskeleton easily.

The company added the CLOi SuitBot features LG's artificial intelligence (AI) technology so that it can learn and evolve by measuring and analyzing users' movements.

LG has been expanding its portfolio into the robot business. With the wearable robot, LG now has eight robot products. The company first introduced its robot brand CLOi early this year. CLOi refers to clever, clear and close operating intelligence that makes our life smarter.

The seven others are airport guide, airport cleaning, serving, porter, shopping cart, cleaning and lawn mowing robots.

LG said the robot business has the potential to become a new growth engine and it will keep introducing more robots to the market.

“It (CLOi SuitBot) is just one example of a wide range of revolutionary AI products designed to interact with users to dramatically elevate user convenience and create new opportunities to advance our robotics initiative into a next-gen growth engine,” Song said.