LG Group, Making Everything Except Cars, Says "Open to Electric Vehicle Collaboration"

From EV to SDV... "Breaking Down Industry Boundaries"

Park Il-pyeong, CEO of LG Science Park, is delivering the keynote speech at the EVS37 event held on the 24th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

LG Group affiliates made a full-scale appearance at the world electric vehicle academic conference and exhibition (EVS37), known as the 'Electric Vehicle Olympics,' unveiling a blueprint for future mobility technologies. They explained that they are pouring group-level capabilities into key research and development areas, from batteries to high-speed charging and sustainability.

Park Il-pyeong, CEO of LG Science Park and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Group, emphasized this in a keynote speech titled "The Future of Mobility" at EVS37 held on the 24th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Park said, "LG Group is famous for home appliances and electronics, but in reality, we are involved in all fields related to electric vehicles and are leading the industry," adding, "Since our most important top priority has become electric vehicles (EVs), research personnel from each affiliate, from batteries to displays and automotive components, are gathering at the Magok Science Park in Seoul to work across boundaries."

Park cited the biggest challenges in electric vehicle research and development as ▲energy density ▲charging performance ▲safety ▲sustainability ▲price competitiveness. He emphasized, "Increasing energy density, which is at the core of battery research and development as the 'heart of the electric vehicle,' ultimately means making smaller and lighter batteries that can travel farther," and added, "Technologies that can shorten charging time are also key to transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles."

He also did not omit emphasizing safety, price competitiveness, and sustainable development. Since batteries account for 40% of the price of electric vehicles, securing marketability as well as simple performance improvements is essential.

He also highlighted the recently trending software-defined vehicle (SDV). This concept is noteworthy because it changes not only fuel and drivetrain but the very way cars are used. Park explained, "As various electronic control units (ECUs), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud services combine and displays fill the vehicle interior, a change is occurring that merges software and hardware," adding, "Since LG Group already has experience connecting various devices and creating AI-based ecosystems in home appliances, we will build an automotive software ecosystem to provide new experiences."

LG Electronics’ SDV solution 'Alphaware,' unveiled earlier this year at CES 2024, the world’s largest home appliance exhibition, is in the same vein. Alphaware controls the vehicle’s hardware to improve driving performance and convenience features and allows enjoyment of various content inside, aiming to transform the car interior into a 'living space on wheels.'

Park said, "Transforming electric vehicles into SDVs breaks down industrial boundaries, and this is something LG, active in various industrial fields, can do," adding, "The door to collaboration to create future mobility with LG is wide open."