Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korean companies to reveal innovative products at CES 2022
Seen is a virtual exhibition space of LG Electronics during the Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 5 to 7. Courtesy of LG Electronics
By Baek Byung-yeul
World's largest tech show to kick off this week
By Baek Byung-yeul
Logo for Consumer Electronics Show / Courtesy of Consumer Technology Association
Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK and other Korean companies are set to reveal their latest technologies and products at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week, in order to take the lead in the post-pandemic era, where a shift in both technology and people's life paradigms is expected to occur.
The CES is the world's largest tech show. The event organizer said that over 2,200 exhibitors will participate in this year's event. Though the 2021 event was fully held online in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 event will be held both on- and offline.
This year's event was scheduled to be held for four days from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, but the organizer said Saturday that it has decided to proceed for three days until Jan. 7 amid concerns over the increasing number of people testing positive for the Omicron variant.
Among Korean companies, two big names in the IT sector ― Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics ― and around 400 companies will join the show.
Samsung and LG, which have showcased their innovative products during the past events, will again unveil their latest gadgets designed to enhance the convenience of their consumers. While Samsung will present a variety of products in offline booths, LG will exhibit its products using both offline booth and virtual space.
Samsung Electronics' 32-inch monitor, the M8, will be displayed at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 5 to 7. Samsung said Sunday that the new smart monitor can be connected to any PC, or be used on its own via its built-in apps. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
For Samsung, new Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee will deliver a keynote speech about how the company will contribute to the development of society and its future growth strategy. Han, the former head of Samsung's TV business, is now in charge of the DX Division, comprised of the visual display, digital appliances, health and medical equipment, mobile and networks businesses.
Under the theme of “Together for Tomorrow,” Samsung will introduce new products that will contribute to the coexistence of humans and the earth, ranging from eco-friendly washing machines that reduce the use of micro plastics, to solid state drives that minimize carbon emissions in the manufacturing process.
The tech giant is expected to introduce its new robotics products. During the 2020 event, the company gained global attention with its small, ball-shaped companion robot, Ballie, that is designed to help consumers around the house.
On Sunday, Samsung offered some hints of some of new products, including its new monitors for gamers and the M8 smart monitor that can be connected to any PC or used by itself via built-in apps.
LG, which will utilize both an offline booth and virtual space, will display innovative home appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, air purifiers and an indoor plant cultivator.
It will also introduce a new TV lineup for this year, including the LG OLED evo TV, which boasts better image quality and upgraded video processing technology. The LG DualUp monitor, which allows users to do various tasks simultaneously on a wide screen, will also be displayed.
To let more consumers know about its products, LG said Sunday that it will operate a virtual showcase room from Jan 4. to Jan. 31.
To keep pace with the increasing convergence trend of IT gadgets and vehicles, Hyundai Motor Group affiliates will also join CES.
Hyundai Motor, the automotive group's crown jewel, will unveil its robotics vision under the theme of Expanding Human Reach. The company has said its goal is to satisfy people's fundamental desire for transportation. In line with its vision, Hyundai Motor will introduce its new Plug & Drive (PnD) robotic module platform, which is developed using its robotics technology.
Hyundai's new robot products, such as small-sized mobility platform, MobED, and Boston Dynamics's Spot and Atlas robots will also be displayed. At the event, Chung Euisun, the automotive group's chairman, is expected to deliver the group's future vision.
SK Group will also join the CES event, as its six affiliates, such as SK Inc., SK Innovation, SK telecom and SK hynix, will deliver their new technologies.
SK Innovation said Sunday that it will introduce its eco-friendly innovative technologies, such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries that can contribute to the reduction of 11 million tons of carbon every year. The company already won the innovative awards from the organizer with its NCM9 battery.
The high-performance EV battery product is 90 percent nickel. SK On, a battery affiliate of SK Innovation, developed the NCM9 battery for the first time in the industry in 2019. The NCM9 will be installed in Ford's upcoming EV pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning.