KT Collaborates with LG Electronics to Develop Next-Generation Service Robots

Signing of MOU to Strengthen Competitiveness in the Service Robot Industry

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] KT is partnering with LG Electronics to develop and commercialize next-generation service robots. On the 17th, KT and LG Electronics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at LG Science Park in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic service robot industry. The collaboration includes discovering new business opportunities by combining LG Electronics' robot manufacturing capabilities with KT's service expertise, establishing a cooperative system for next-generation robot R&D, building a collaborative platform to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic service robot industry, and cooperating on government robot projects.

Since introducing the 'AI Hotel Robot' in December 2019, KT has launched F&B (food and beverage) delivery robots, AI care robots for elderly care services, disinfection robots for infectious disease prevention, and autonomous outdoor delivery robots. KT explains that its nationwide communication and control infrastructure and skilled technical personnel play a significant role in expanding its robot business.

LG Electronics began piloting the 'LG CLOi GuideBot' at Incheon International Airport in 2017, followed by two types of 'LG CLOi ServeBots' (drawer-type/shelf-type), 'LG CLOi BaristaBot,' 'LG CLOi ChefBot,' and 'LG CLOi UV-C Bot.' Recently, they launched the next-generation autonomous logistics robot, 'LG CLOi CarryBot,' completing a lineup of seven LG CLOi robots optimized for various spaces.

KT plans to disseminate LG Electronics' diverse service robots into customers' daily lives and collaborate on robot development based on accumulated customer experience. Both companies will discuss and promote specific cooperation plans and mutually cooperate for the advancement of the domestic robot industry.

Song Jae-ho, Vice President and Head of KT AI/DX Convergence Business Division, said, "Through the partnership between LG Electronics, a global leader in home appliances, and KT, a national company with 130 years of history, we expect service robots to become more accessible in customers' daily lives and for the domestic robot industry to take a leap forward." Jang Ik-hwan, Vice President and Head of LG Electronics BS Business Division, said, "Through this collaboration, we hope more customers will experience LG Electronics' customized robot solutions optimized for various spaces."