"Breakfast Ready, Laundry Washed and Folded"... Samsung and LG Take on 'Liberation from Chores'

Declaration of the "Physical AI" Era Begins
Samsung Unveils 130-inch Micro RGB TV
Hisense and TCL Compete with Mini RGB TVs
LG Showcases OLED TV and Home Robot CLOiD

On the eve of the opening of CES 2026, the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics unveiled their new product lineups. Both companies introduced competing robot and AI-powered home appliances aimed at "liberating households from chores," declaring the dawn of the "Physical AI" era alongside their TV product lines.

LG CLOiD folding and organizing towels after washing. LG Electronics.

On January 4 (local time), Samsung Electronics differentiated itself from last year by establishing an exclusive exhibition hall spanning 4,628 square meters (approximately 1,400 pyeong) at the Wynn and Encore Las Vegas hotels in the United States. Under the theme "Your Companion to AI Living," the company is hosting exhibitions, press conferences, and the Samsung Technology Forum. At the entrance of the exhibition hall, an "AI Gallery" introduces Samsung Electronics' AI vision and major new products.

A Samsung Electronics model is introducing the large tunnel-shaped 'AI Gallery' at the Samsung Electronics exclusive exhibition hall in the Wynn Hotel, set up for CES 2026, the world's largest electronics exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA. Samsung Electronics.

LG Electronics also set up a 2,044-square-meter exhibition hall in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) under the theme "Innovation in Tune with You." The booth showcases how products and solutions interconnect and operate according to customers' needs in spaces such as homes, vehicles, and galleries. At the entrance, a large object created by suspending thirty-eight "LG OLED Evo AI W6" units from the ceiling is installed. When viewed from specific positions, the different screens are designed to combine into a single piece of media art.

Home robot 'LG CLOi' and models are striking various poses in front of the giant object at the LG booth at CES 2026. LG Electronics.

"Liberation from Chores"... Even Home Robots Make an Appearance

The ambitious highlight from both Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics at this year's CES is the home robot. LG Electronics introduced "LG CLOiD," aiming to lead the home robot market. LG CLOiD, equipped with a head, two arms, and a wheel-based autonomous driving lower body, comprehensively recognizes schedules and surroundings to control appliances and perform actual household tasks. Beyond simple command execution, it learns residents' lifestyle patterns and determines task priorities based on the situation.

For example, it assists with chores by taking milk out of the refrigerator and placing croissants in the oven for breakfast according to meal plans, or by putting laundry into the washing machine and folding and organizing towels after washing when the user is out. This is part of LG Electronics' long-term "Zero Labor Home" vision to reduce customers' household burdens and improve quality of life.

Samsung Electronics has also put forth the vision of "Home Companion" to promise liberation from chores. Its flagship product, the 2026 "Bespoke AI Family Hub" refrigerator, is the first home appliance to feature Google's latest AI model, Gemini. This expands food recognition capabilities and supports functions such as recipe recommendations based on refrigerator ingredients and converting cooking videos into recipes.

Everyday Companion VS Affectionate Intelligence

The home robots represent just one aspect of the connectivity technologies showcased by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. At this CES, both companies implemented a variety of services connecting products and customers. Samsung created a "Home Companion" zone at its booth, displaying a wide range of AI appliances that interact with users through camera, screen, and voice functions. The 2026 "Bespoke AI Family Hub" refrigerator, "Bespoke AI Combo" washer-dryer, and "Bespoke AI Steam" robot vacuum cleaner are among the highlights. Personalized content such as schedules, photos, health information, and news can be checked via the screen.

Additionally, the 2026 "Bespoke AI Combo" washer-dryer and the new "Bespoke AI AirDresser" were also exhibited. In the "Care Companion" zone, care solutions based on Samsung Health, Galaxy wearable devices, SmartThings, and "Now Brief" were introduced. The company has been praised for presenting a multidimensional "AI Everyday Companion" strategy that integrates AI across TVs, home appliances, and health.

LG Electronics unveiled its Affectionate Intelligence technology, where spaces and products work together around the customer. In addition to the "Zero Labor Home" that combines the home robot "LG CLOiD" with AI appliances, the company showcased AI-based automotive solutions, a TV lineup equipped with AI processors and the webOS platform, entertainment spaces focused on gaming and music, and premium appliances with enhanced AI features such as "LG Signature."

The LG AI refrigerator learns usage patterns to adjust cooling times, while the WashTower with an AI DD motor analyzes the weight, humidity, and fabric type of laundry to optimize washing and drying intensity. All appliances are connected to the AI home hub "ThinQ ON" for integrated management.

In the automotive sector, LG operates an experience zone for AI-powered vehicle solutions. The front windshield, equipped with transparent OLED, displays key information such as signal wait times, while the driver's seat, featuring in-cabin sensing technology, switches to autonomous driving mode if the driver's gaze is averted for a certain period. In the rear seats, an entertainment system recommends content based on the AI's recognition of the external scenery.

Competition Heats Up for Thinner TVs with Higher Picture Quality

Product image of Samsung Electronics 130-inch Micro RGB TV. Samsung Electronics.

The two companies are also competing with new TV products at this CES. At the pre-event "The First Look" held that afternoon, Samsung Electronics unveiled its new "130-inch Micro RGB TV." The Micro RGB TV features an RGB color backlight with micro-sized RGB LEDs arranged on the screen, allowing for precise, independent control of red, green, and blue colors. The product is equipped with Samsung's latest AI engine, the "Micro RGB AI Engine Pro," which upgrades both picture and sound quality.

On the same day, LG Electronics revealed its 2026 premium TV lineup at "The Preview," featuring the "LG OLED Evo W6," a wireless wallpaper OLED TV with a thickness of just 9mm. This wallpaper-style OLED TV is the result of LG's ultra-slim technology and can be installed flush against the wall, making it appear like a picture frame when the screen is off.