LG set to unveil robot brand at CES
LG Electronics' new robot prototypes are set to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 next week. From left are robots that will be in use as a food server, porter and shopping cart. / Courtesy of LG Electronics
By Lee Min-hyung
LG Electronics plans to launch a robot brand at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in its bid to secure a competitive edge in the potential-laden smart robot business.
The CLOi, which will make its debut next week in Las Vegas, refers to clever, clear and close operating intelligence that can blend in with people’s daily lives in a smarter way, the Seoul-based tech giant said Thursday.
At the world’s largest tech tradeshow, the company will also unveil three robot prototypes. They are used as a food server, porter and shopping cart.
The serving robot delivers food and drinks to customers at hotels or airport lounges around the clock, according to LG Electronics. The robot also comes with a built-in sliding tray. After the delivery, it can automatically make its way back to its station.
The porter robot features luggage delivery to guest rooms. It can also has a check-in and check-out service, enabling guests to pay for their accommodation with ease, the company said.
The shopping cart robot is designed for use at big supermarkets. By using a barcode reader on the robot, customers can get basic information, such as prices of goods. As the robot is equipped with a front display, customers can also see their shopping list. The robot can also be linked with smartphones, and guide shoppers to products they search for on their handsets.
“We will continue to develop a full-fledged robot portfolio from a customer-oriented perspective,” said Ryu Hye-jung, head of the company’s smart systems business division.
This came a year after the company announced its plan to identify the commercial robot business as its next growth engine. The company has since focused on developing robots featured with artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving technology.
They include voice-recognizing guide and floor-cleaning robots, both of which successfully finished pilot tests at Incheon International Airport last year. LG Electronics also plans to use the robots at the PyeongChang Winter Games next month.
LG Electronics has in recent years pushed for expanding its business structures into untapped areas amid toughening rivalry in the conventional home appliance business. Starting from the launch of what it calls the super-premium appliance brand, the LG SIGNATURE, in 2016, the company has sought to launch something new to differentiate itself from toughening rivalry from overseas counterparts.
At the CES 2018, the company also plans to go all-out to promote its new AI brand, ThinQ, as part of its efforts to remain agile in catching up with the emerging tech areas - such as the big data technology and the internet of things (IoT).
In a recent New Year address, LG Electronics Vice Chairman Jo Seong-jin also called for the need to rapidly embrace future tech areas to lead the ongoing tech paradigm shift.