LG to develop self-driving module with Robotis

Ryu Hye-jung, left, head of smart solution business division of LG Electronics' Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company, poses with Robotis CEO Kim Byoung-soo after signing a contract to develop self-driving modules for robots, at Robotis' headquarters in Magok-dong, western Seoul, Sept. 28. / Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Baek Byung-yeul

LG Electronics said Monday it will develop self-driving modules for robots with local robotics firm, Robotis.

The Korean tech giant said it signed a contract with Robotis to develop self-driving modules at Robotis' headquarters in Magok-dong, western Seoul, Sept. 28. LG explained the self-driving modules are essential parts for mobile robots.

With the agreement, LG's Advanced Robotics Lab will take charge of developing software using intelligent navigation technologies while Robotis will be responsible for the hardware.

"Collaborating with Robotis, which has nearly 20 years of experiences with robot technologies, we will keep expanding our robot product lineups," Ryu Hye-jung, head of the smart solution business division of LG Electronics' Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company, said in a statement.

Robotis CEO Kim said the two firms "can maximize synergy between electronic appliances and robots by cooperating together."

Established in 1999, the local robotics firm has accumulated robot development technologies ranging from hardware parts including robot controllers and sensor modules to software including module management programs and robotic operating systems. LG acquired a 10.12 percent stake in Robotis in December last year.

The firm is especially known for its self-developed robot actuator, an essential device for a robot as it converts energy into physical motion. It has supplied its Dynamixel actuators to domestic and overseas companies.

Taking the robot business as the company's future growth engine, LG has been actively expanding its business portfolio into the robot business. In June, 2017, LG launched the Advanced Robotics Lab to develop technologies for intelligent robots.

Since it introduced its robot brand "CLOi" at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in January, the firm has introduced eight robots including an airport guide, server, porter, shopping cart, cleaner and lawn mower, and a robotic exoskeleton.

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