LG Acquires Athom to Advance AI-Enabled Intelligent Space Business
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By News Reporter
Strategic Investment Aims to Accelerate Innovation Across
LG’s Commercial, Home and Industrial Robot Solutions
SEOUL, Jan. 24, 2025 — LG Electronics (LG) has taken a significant step in advancing its robotics capabilities by securing a majority stake in Bear Robotics, a prominent Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in AI-driven autonomous service robots. This acquisition aligns with LG’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the robotics sector, a key growth area for the company.
On January 22, LG’s board of directors exercised a call option to acquire an additional 30 percent stake in Bear Robotics. This follows an initial investment of USD 60 million in March 2024, which secured LG a 21 percent stake and a call option agreement for up to an additional 30 percent stake. Upon completion of the call option exercise, LG will hold a controlling 51 percent stake in Bear Robotics, effectively incorporating it as a subsidiary.
As part of this strategic move, LG’s commercial robot business, primarily centered around “LG CLOi Robots,” will be integrated with Bear Robotics. The key management team of Bear Robotics, including CEO John Ha, will remain in place to ensure stable business continuity and will continue to focus on creating synergies in LG’s commercial robot business.
Founded in 2017, Bear Robotics has gained recognition for its AI-powered indoor delivery robots, catering to markets in the United States, South Korea and Japan. The company is noted for its expertise in distributed multi-robot control, remote fleet management system and AI-powered robot platform.
LG aims to expand its presence in the commercial robot market through Bear Robotics. Concurrently, LG intends to leverage its AI and manufacturing expertise to reinforce its home and industrial robot businesses.
The home robot segment will be spearheaded by the LG Home Appliance Solution Company, a renowned industry leader. The company’s focus will be on delivering a holistic experience where home robots, powered by LG’s Affectionate Intelligence, can astutely discern the well-being of family members and seamlessly integrate with home appliances and services.
A prime illustration of this vision is the Self-driving AI Home Hub (project name: Q9), slated for release within the year. The Q9 harnesses multimodal sensing capabilities, encompassing voice, sound and image recognition, coupled with autonomous driving technology. This enables it to navigate the home effortlessly, precisely identify users’ status and respond to their needs effectively by seamlessly connecting and controlling home appliances and IoT devices. The Q9 adeptly navigates obstacles such as carpets and uneven surfaces, while its expressive display conveys emotions, fostering enhanced interaction and engagement.
The Q9 also features Microsoft’s voice recognition and synthesis technology, enabling natural and intuitive conversations with users. Its ability to understand diverse accents, pronunciations and colloquial expressions garnered the attention of attendees at CES 2025. To foster an open development ecosystem, LG has also introduced a software development kit for the Q9, encouraging developers to expand its capabilities further.
In the realm of industrial robots, a cornerstone of LG’s Smart Factory business, the company’s Production engineering Research Institute is spearheading substantial revenue growth through the integration of AI and digital transformation. A key example is the “Autonomous Vertical Articulated Robot,” which employs sensors including cameras, radar and LiDAR to perceive its surroundings, navigate efficiently, supply materials and execute tasks such as assembly and defect inspection with its robotic arm. This innovation facilitates seamless automation across a range of operations.
LG’s CEO William Cho, speaking this month at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “Robots are a certain future,” and hinted at plans to expand beyond the current focus on hospitality and logistics delivery robots to include the Self-driving AI Home Hub and other home robots to achieve “Zero-labor Home.”
The acquisition of management control of Bear Robotics is expected to create synergies across LG’s entire robotics business, including commercial robots. As the robotics industry increasingly shifts towards AI-centric solutions, this collaboration is poised to significantly enhance LG’s overall robotics software capabilities. LG intends to create an integrated software platform for commercial, industrial and home robots leveraging Bear Robotics’ technology. This platform aims to deliver a consistent and high-quality user experience across various applications. By applying this integrated platform universally to the development of different types of robots, LG expects to shorten development cycles.
LG’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and supply chain management expertise are poised to enhance the operational efficiency and market responsiveness of its robotics business. Furthermore, the extensive global sales network developed through its B2B operations will facilitate broader product distribution. By integrating commercial robots with a range of B2B solutions, including hotel TVs, signage and IT devices, LG can achieve a competitive edge through a turnkey order approach, delivering tailored products that meet the specific needs of corporate clients.
“This additional investment underscores our dedication to positioning robots as a pivotal growth engine for the company, reflecting our belief in their inevitable role in the future,” stated Lee Sam-soo, Chief Strategy Officer at LG Electronics. “We will persist in driving innovation across all sectors of robotics, encompassing commercial, industrial and home applications.”
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By News Reporter
LG Sets New Standard in Accuracy and Reliability for In-Cabin Solutions With
Ambarella-Powered Driver Monitoring System; Plans Demo During CES 2025
SEOUL, Korea and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 5, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG), a mobility sector technology leader, and Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), an edge AI semiconductor company, today announced that LG will showcase its latest in-cabin solution, developed in partnership with Ambarella, during CES 2025. Ambarella worked in close cooperation with LG to integrate its CV25 AI system-on-chip (SoC) into LG’s Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which allows automotive OEMs to deliver safer vehicles. This DMS is already in production with a global automotive OEM.
With its industry-leading AI performance per watt, Ambarella’s CV25 chipset enables LG’s DMS to perform real time analysis of high-resolution video from in-vehicle cameras. In addition to accurate object recognition, this AI SoC supports smooth high-definition video processing and achieves high energy efficiency, making it ideal for integration with various in-vehicle sensors. The CV25, which is manufactured using 10-nanometer process technology, also facilitates high-quality, detailed imaging in low-light and over a high dynamic range, ensuring stable monitoring regardless of environment, weather or time of day.
Leveraging LG’s VisionWare, a key part of the company’s AlphaWare portfolio of mobility software, this new DMS can accurately detect subtle eye and head movements of the driver. The system employs AI to determine whether the driver is distracted or drowsy based on these movements. Equipped with the CV25, the DMS can recognize these cues irrespective of the driver’s race, gender or age, and provides precise detection and analysis even if the driver is wearing sunglasses, a hat or other accessories.
LG’s DMS solution is designed to fit seamlessly into a variety of software and hardware configurations, offering automotive OEMs considerable flexibility when developing new vehicle models. This flexibility extends to other Ambarella-based LG in-cabin solutions, including its Interior Monitoring System and its Driver and Interior Monitoring System. Additionally, LG is committed to expanding its partnership with Ambarella, as part of its efforts to continuously increase performance for the broad range of LG in-cabin solutions while taking the mobility experience to new heights.
LG and Ambarella are both dedicated to improving vehicle safety, and plan to continue working together and delivering solutions that enable OEMs to meet the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and General Safety Regulation (GSR) standards. Additionally, LG is an active partner in Ambarella’s innovation ecosystem; bringing its considerable experience and expertise to this network of industry leaders in AI-based perception, fusion and planning for automotive systems.
“The combination of LG’s highly accurate and reliable in-cabin solutions with the industry-leading AI performance per watt of our CVflow® SoCs is enabling automotive OEMs to achieve the highest vehicle safety levels,” said Fermi Wang, President and CEO of Ambarella. “Our CV25 SoC combines high performance for processing LG’s AI perception stack, along with great efficiency for low power consumption and reduced thermal management, resulting in compact, flexible form factors for vehicle interiors.”
“Our collaboration with Ambarella represents a major step forward in the use of AI-driven technology to advance vehicle safety,” said Eun Seok-hyun, president of LG Vehicle Solution Company. “By combining LG’s in-cabin monitoring expertise with Ambarella’s cutting-edge AI chipset, we’re setting a new standard for in-cabin solutions and actively enhancing road safety.”
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By News Reporter
LG Full HD Monitor (model 27BA560)1
Recent trends show that a lot of people prefer companies that take social and environmental responsibility seriously,2 and this holds true whether they’re working for them, or simply buying their products. This trend underscores the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, driving businesses worldwide to adopt more eco-friendly technologies, build low-impact facilities and design greener office spaces that are better for their employees and the planet.
Creating a more environmentally friendly office can involve a variety of measures, from using sustainable materials and installing solar panels to integrating low-carbon features. One of the simplest and fastest ways, however, is upgrading to energy-efficient IT equipment. Among the essential tools in a modern office, computer monitors stand out due to their constant use and significant influence on workplace productivity. Opting for energy-efficient monitors can significantly reduce an office’s overall energy footprint.
For businesses seeking a greener office setup, LG’s latest lineup of business monitors is an excellent choice. Featuring 20 newly launched B2B models, LG showcases its commitment to responsible product design and concern for the wellbeing of users and the environment. This isn’t just empty “marketing talk” – it’s backed by certifications from globally recognized energy and environmental standards. For example, the 27BA560 and 24BA560 models have earned the sought-after EPEAT Gold rating, while many others in the lineup boast EPEAT Silver or Bronze ratings.3 The majority of LG’s new business monitors are TCO Certified, indicating they are both energy efficient and ergonomically designed. Additionally, every model in the lineup is ENERGY STAR-certified. Beyond certifications, LG plans to calculate, manage and report on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the lifecycle of its new monitor products.
LG Full HD Monitor (model 27BA560)1
Along with sustainability, LG’s business monitors take user comfort and productivity into consideration. The company’s versatile and efficient workplace solutions come with adjustable stands that promote good ergonomics, and eye-friendly features like Reader Mode. Designed to meet the diverse needs of professional environments, the expansive lineup offers a variety of aspect ratios (16:9 and 21:9) and screen resolutions (from Full HD to QHD) to choose from. With various ports, including USB-C, and built-in speakers and webcams,4 LG’s business monitors enable seamless video conferencing and enhanced multitasking, allowing users to charge their devices and efficiently manage their work at the same time.
With the introduction of its business monitor lineup, LG is not only supporting global businesses in their ESG efforts, but also reinforcing its own commitment to ESG-driven management and sustainable product design. The company will continue to deliver premium workspace innovations that simultaneously boost productivity, support the health of users and put less strain on the environment.
To learn more about LG’s business monitor lineup, visit the
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1 The image is staged to enhance the reader’s understanding.
2 Source:
3 EPEAT (managed by the Global Electronics Council) assesses IT products for lifecycle sustainability. Models 27BA850, 24BA850, 27BA750, 24BA750, 27BA650 and 24BA650 have all earned a Silver rating from EPEAT, while models 27BA550, 24BA550, 27BA450, 24BA450, 27BA400 and 24BA400 earned a Bronze rating.
4 Features may vary by model.
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By News Reporter
Company’s Business Monitor Lineup Boasts a Wide Range of Screen Resolutions and Sizes,
Offering Versatile Options to Meet a Broad Spectrum of Workplace Needs
SEOUL, Oct. 18, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is launching its business monitor lineup, introducing 20 brand-new models designed to enhance productivity and ergonomic comfort in the workplace. Well known for its premium consumer monitors, LG is now expanding into the B2B sector with monitors tailored to the needs of diverse professional environments, from corporate and government to education, healthcare and the creative industries. The impressive lineup presents customers with a wealth of choices, including a variety of different aspect ratios and screen resolutions ranging from QHD to Full HD.
LG UltraWide Displays: Spacious, High-resolution Screens
Available in the 21:9 aspect ratio, LG’s UltraWide business monitors are outstanding multitasking solutions with high-resolution screens. The 34BA85QE-B and 34BA75QE-B feature 34-inch curved QHD+ (3,440 x 1,440) resolution IPS displays that deliver sharp, detailed visuals and accurate color reproduction. They also provide excellent color consistency across a wide viewing angle, ensuring distortion-free images from practically any vantage point.
Suitable for government control rooms, financial traders, IT developers and programmers, the extended screen format of LG UltraWide business monitors makes multitasking easier, giving users the space to keep several windows open at the same time. The 34BA85QE-B comes equipped with a built-in webcam and microphone, enabling convenient video conferencing without the need for additional devices. LG’s feature-packed UltraWide business models also offer Picture-by-Picture (PBP) mode, specifically supporting 2PBP, which streamlines workflow by allowing users to display up to two windows side by side.
Additionally, thanks to the inclusion of USB-C 3.2 Gen1 with power delivery (up to 90W), LG’s UltraWide monitors can charge connected devices while simultaneously displaying content from them, making life even more convenient for busy professionals.
QHD Monitors: Ergonomic Designs with Adjustable Stands
Ideal for customer-facing settings, such as government service centers, airports and hotel lobbies, LG’s QHD monitors feature ergonomic designs with height-, swivel-, and tilt-adjustable stands that help deliver customized comfort for each user. This flexibility offers numerous possibilities for monitor-position adjustment. For example, the screen can be significantly lowered to enable direct eye contact and better communication between staff and customers. Furthermore, the inclusion of Reader Mode helps to lessen eye fatigue when reading documents, making the new monitors more comfortable to use for extended periods. The monitors also help safeguard users’ eye comfort with Flicker Safe Mode, which minimizes the occurrence of screen flickering.
The company’s QHD lineup includes two 27-inch, high-resolution variants (models 27BA75QB and 27BA65QB), each fitted with a premium IPS display that provides exceptional clarity, a wide viewing angle, 99 percent coverage of the sRGB color gamut and support for SDR and HDR modes. Along with precise color reproduction, both of the new QHD models boast a 100Hz refresh rate that results in smooth visuals and a pleasant user experience. To ensure compatibility with the widest possible range of digital devices and peripherals, LG’s QHD monitors incorporate multiple connectivity options, such as USB-C and HDMI.
Full HD Monitors: Enhancing User Convenience
LG’s Full HD Monitors are well suited to roles that require users to work with data or content from multiple external devices, offering USB Type-C and other types of USB ports. Available in 27- and 23.8-inches, LG’s business monitors with Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution IPS panels (models 27BA850 and 24BA850) come with built-in speakers and webcams for convenient video conferencing. Each monitor also has its own internal power supply to ensure reliable performance and minimize clutter in the workspace.
Reflecting LG’s commitment to sustainable product design, the new business monitors come with globally-recognized energy and environmental certifications, including ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, and TCO Certified. Full HD models 27BA850, 24BA850, 27BA750, 24BA750, 27BA650 and 24BA650 have all earned a silver rating from EPEAT indicating that products meet a broad and robust set of criteria, also making them a more sustainable purchasing option.
“LG’s new business monitors meet the growing demand for high-resolution, ergonomically designed workplace screen solutions,” said YS Lee, vice president and head of the IT business unit of LG Business Solutions Company. “With our market-leading B2B monitors, we aim to support the digital transformation of the workforce and enhance the employee experience.”
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By News Reporter
LG Aims to Expand Its B2B Offerings and
Build a Growth-Driven Portfolio in Emerging Sectors
SEOUL, Oct. 10, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) held a press conference today at LG Digital Park in South Korea to share its future vision for the B2B sector with domestic journalists. The company outlined its goal for the LG Business Solutions (BS) Company to achieve KRW 10 trillion in annual revenue by 2030.
At its 2024 Investor Forum in August, LG highlighted the acceleration of its B2B operations as one of the central components of its business portfolio innovation strategy. By 2030, the company expects that its B2B concerns will account for 45 percent of total sales.
LG plans to strengthen its leading B2B businesses, such as hotel and hospital TVs, digital signage and premium laptops, while also focusing on medical monitors and electric vehicle (EV) chargers to build a sustainable, growth-focused portfolio.
Additionally, the company is rapidly strengthening its B2B capabilities across a wide range of areas, including vehicle components, HVAC systems, built-in appliances and smart factory solutions. The expansion into mobility and new business segments is part of the company’s strategy to accelerate its business transformation.
Leading LG’s flagship B2B businesses, the LG BS Company offers customized digital signage for various commercial spaces, including hotels, retail stores, offices, schools and hospitals, as well as IT products ranging from high-spec monitors to LG gram laptops, commercial robots and EV charging solutions.
The B2B sector is less affected by economic fluctuations than B2C, resulting in comparatively stable revenue and profits. Another advantage of B2B is the “lock-in” effect, which typically leads to close, long-term relationships with customers and a virtuous cycle of mutual growth.
“Over the past 66 years, LG has accumulated valuable insights into its customers and the diverse spaces they occupy through its consumer electronics business,” said Jang Ik-hwan, president of LG Business Solutions Company. “Going forward, we will leverage this expertise to offer tailored services and differentiated solutions to our business customers, further cementing our reputation as a trusted partner in the competitive B2B market. The BS Company is seeking to double its current revenue, reaching KRW 10 trillion by 2030.”
Driving the Commercial Display Market with Premium Signage and Hospitality TVs
LG has gained a leading position in the B2B display solution market thanks to its top-tier commercial display technology, premium digital signage and strong performance in the global hotel and hospital TV segments. LG’s information display business has experienced steady growth since 2019, recording an average annual growth rate of seven percent.
LG will continue to expand its display solutions business with products tailored for various spaces. The focus will be on premium fine-pitch LED signage (including All-in-One LED and Micro LED models), a product category that has seen a double-digit rise in revenue each year.
At the forefront of this expansion is the cutting-edge LG MAGNIT Micro LED display. LG MAGNIT is offered in various formats, including an all-in-one model for conference rooms, a model designed for virtual production studios, a premium home cinema edition and a model with a separate power supply unit (PSU). Since 2020, MAGNIT has recorded an impressive growth rate, with its annual revenue growth nearing a twofold increase on average over the past four years.
Additionally, LG is strengthening its portfolio of innovative digital signage solutions with products such as the next-generation LG Micro LED display, which is set to launch later this year. LG has employed the latest AI technology for its upcoming Micro LED, both during the production process and to create intelligent image-quality algorithms that help ensure superior visual performance. As part of the manufacturing process, AI is used to assess and select each of the product’s approximately 25 million LED chips (based on a 136-inch model). Meanwhile, the AI processor applied to the LG Micro LED display analyzes and optimizes color and brightness in real-time to deliver optimal picture quality.
To drive future growth, LG is actively working to identify potential demand and will keep on adding to its diverse lineup of tailored hardware and software solutions for commercial spaces.
Preferred by customers around the world, LG’s hospitality TVs boast many user-friendly features, including the ability to wirelessly mirror personal devices screens via Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. Hotel guests simply scan the QR code displayed on the TV to watch content from their device on the TV’s larger screen. To protect users’ privacy, viewing history and connection data are automatically deleted upon check out.
LG continues to maintain its strong leadership in the global hospitality TV market, and is collaborating with renowned international hotel chains including IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt.
In addition to its hardware offerings, LG provides a variety of cloud solutions through its online B2B platform, LG Business Cloud. These include the LG DOOH Ads digital signage advertising solution, LG SuperSign Cloud and Pro:Centric digital signage and hospitality TV content management solutions, and LG ConnectedCare remote monitoring and management solution.
To accelerate its expansion into new business areas and enhance overall competitiveness, LG is fostering strategic partnerships with global B2B companies. It recently signed a memorandum of understanding with office solutions provider Ricoh to explore the development of comprehensive enterprise services.
Strengthening LG’s Position as a Leading EV Charging Solutions Provider
LG is set to expedite its growth in promising new business areas, with the company’s EV charger business standing out as an emerging “unicorn.” Through strategic partnerships and investment, LG is poised to increase its presence in the global EV charger market.
LG opened its EV charger production factory in the U.S. (Texas) in January of this year and in June reached an agreement with ChargePoint, a leading provider of networked charging solutions for EVs in North America. The two companies are collaborating to expand their businesses by boosting product sales through distribution channels, reinforcing their product portfolios and jointly developing next-generation solutions. Additionally, LG is leveraging its extensive B2B sales network in the U.S., established through its nationwide success in hospitality TVs and digital signage, to actively target the country’s increased demand for EV charging infrastructure. This includes the necessary charging framework for hotels, shopping malls and retail stores, as well as highway charging stations and depots.
LG aims to secure around eight percent of the U.S. fast charger market by 2030 and position itself as a global top-tier provider of EV charging solutions.
At present, LG offers six types of EV chargers, including 7kW and 11kW slow chargers, and 100kW, 175kW, and 200kW fast-charging models.1 In addition, the company is producing a 350kW ultra-fast charger for the North American market and plans to release two slow-charging models – 30kW and 7kW – targeting the European market, all scheduled to launch by the end of this year.
Furthermore, LG is proactively addressing concerns over EV charger safety by implementing various fire-prevention solutions.
The charging control system applied to LG’s EV chargers prevents overcharging, which is one of the leading causes of EV charging safety incidents. The control system automatically stops charging when the vehicle battery reaches 80 percent during fast charging and 100 percent during slow charging. Additionally, LG chargers are equipped with a load management system that allocates electricity based on the installation site’s power capacity, ensuring stable charging even with limited power availability.2
The installation environment and consumer safety are key considerations in the design of every EV charger that LG makes. The company’s 175kW fast-charging model operates reliably in extreme temperatures ranging from -35 to 55 degrees Celsius and boasts an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, along with an IK10 rating for impact resistance. Additionally, LG EV chargers comply with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations for the use of ten harmful chemicals such as lead, cadmium and mercury during the manufacturing process.
Prioritizing Medical Monitors as a Key Growth Engine
LG is focusing on the medical monitor sector as a new growth driver for its IT business, with plans to become a global top-three medical monitor provider within the next five years.
Medical monitors are required to meet the medical device regulations of each country, as well as medical imaging display standards, such as DICOM Part 14. Delivering excellent image accuracy and reliability, these monitors are considered premium products with high entry barriers, and are recognized as high-value-added products. According to market research firm Omdia, the global medical monitor market is expected to reach approximately USD 2.5 billion in value by 2030. In markets such as North America and Europe, hospitals are required to use medical-grade monitors for the reviewing of medical images obtained from X-rays, endoscopies and other procedures. With these strict regulations in place, the market for medical-grade monitors is expected to grow significantly in the future.
Launched in 2016, LG’s medical monitor business has steadily expanded in size, achieving close to double-digit annual growth in North America and Europe. Its product lineup, which is now available in more than 50 countries worldwide, currently comprises 14 types of medical monitors – including clinical, diagnostic and surgical models – and six types of digital X-ray detectors (DXDs).
LG offers healthcare institutions a diverse range of medical monitors, including surgical monitors with Mini-LED technology, specialized diagnostic monitors for mammography and high-resolution displays with screen-split features. By adopting a turnkey solution approach, LG has enhanced its competitiveness in the global medical display market and set a solid foundation for future growth.
In 2023, the company made significant strides in the medical display segment by securing a four-year, EUR 10 million contract with Centrale d’Achat de l’Informatique Hospitalière (CAIH), France’s public hospital IT purchasing center, for the supply of medical monitors. Looking ahead, LG plans to integrate AI technology into the data analysis and solutions derived from its medical monitors and digital X-ray detectors, and is also considering an entry into the medical imaging equipment sector.
LG’s success in the B2B sector owes much to the company’s technology and knowhow accumulated over many years in the B2C market. Recently, LG is in discussions regarding a contract to supply a U.S. financial services company with custom-built, high-resolution monitors for a period of five years. LG has supplied dual monitors to a U.S. financial media company and provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) displays to international airlines.
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1 LG’s 7kW and 11kW slow chargers and 100kW fast charger are available in South Korea, while the 175kW and 200kW fast-charging models are available in North America.
2 LG’s load management solution, which has already been applied to the company’s fast- and slow-charging EV charging solutions in North America, will be introduced in South Korea beginning next month.
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