LG Gathers Subsidiary R&D Talent to Discover Future Growth Engines... Hosts 'LG SPARK'

Gathering R&D Experts from 8 Affiliates
Discussing Solutions to R&D Challenges
3-Week 'LG SPARK' Event Held

LG is gathering R&D experts from eight affiliates to discuss ideas for solving R&D challenges. The group will hold a three-week cultural, innovation, and arts festival called 'LG SPARK 2024' together with group members, partners, startups, and local residents, including a session dedicated to discussing R&D challenges.

Poster for 'LG SPARK 2024,' a culture, innovation, and art festival hosted by LG at LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, for three weeks starting from the 26th.
[Photo by LG]

On the 26th, LG announced that it will operate LG SPARK 2024 at LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, for three weeks starting from that day.

Last September, LG integrated programs encompassing development, startup research innovation achievements, and science, culture, and arts under the name 'LG SPARK.' At that time, four events were held: DX Fair, Superstart Day, Software Developer Conference, and Culture Week, with a total of about 47,000 participants.

First, a two-day 'LG Tech Fair' will be held starting from this day. This is the first time LG has hosted the LG Tech Fair. An LG official explained, "This is the first time that R&D members from eight affiliates have been gathered at the group level to hold an event related to technological challenges."

At the LG Tech Fair, new technologies from affiliate R&D teams will be shared, and ideas for solving challenges will be discussed with external experts. The fair will feature over 60 exhibition booths across six areas, including LG Group’s future growth engines 'ABC' (Artificial Intelligence, Bio, Clean Tech), smart life solutions, mobility, and materials/components, seeking collaboration opportunities related to key tasks of each affiliate. Major tasks include ▲'AI Hub,' which enhances connectivity of home Internet of Things (IoT) devices by embedding an artificial intelligence (AI) agent ▲eco-friendly new materials that directly utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) as raw materials without conversion processes ▲and treatments for atopic dermatitis patients.

Additionally, a convergent R&D workshop will be conducted to discover future 'game changer' technologies. Research committee-level experts from LG Electronics, LG Chem, LG Energy Solution, and other affiliates will participate in in-depth discussions on R&D challenges such as waterless eco-friendly washing machines and blood glucose measurement technology without blood sampling for diabetes and obesity management. Professor Lee Jeong-dong from Seoul National University Graduate School of Engineering will participate as a facilitator.

A seminar session featuring external experts in the A, B, and C fields will also be held. Lectures include 'Technological Innovation of Humanoids' by Professor Kim Sang-bae of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 'Metabolic Engineering for Sustainable Plastics' by Vice President Lee Sang-yeop of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and 'Next-Generation Batteries' by Professor Kang Ki-seok of Seoul National University.

Starting with the LG Tech Fair, LG will also hold the 'Digital Transformation (DX) Fair,' 'Superstart Day,' 'LG Software Developer Conference,' and 'Culture Week' at LG Science Park over three weeks. The DX Fair will showcase the achievements of 32 DX projects from affiliates and share best practices in DX utilization. Baek Kyung-hoon, head of LG AI Research Institute, will introduce the AI 'ChatExa Employee' for employees.

Superstart Day will reinterpret the origin of LG Group, Lakhee Chemical Industry’s 'Lakhee (樂喜),' from an open innovation perspective under the theme 'PLAY FIRST - Joyful Innovation Creates the World.' About 40 startups selected through a 45:1 competition ratio will participate. A performance presentation of 12 startups, including 'GreenContinue,' nurtured by LG for one year, will also be held.

At the LG Software Developer Conference, software technologies in eight fields such as AI & Big Data, Mobility & Automotive, and Platform & Architecture will be shared. Developers from global big tech companies like Microsoft, IBM, Qualcomm, and AWS will participate. During Culture Week, various programs including lectures and street performances will be held for LG members, local residents, and industry-academia talents.

Park Il-pyeong, president of LG Science Park, said, "We will continue to expand 'LG SPARK,' where culture, arts, science, and technology breathe together beyond boundaries," adding, "We will develop LG Science Park’s unique innovation culture to create synergy in convergent R&D among affiliates and generate differentiated customer value."