LG, KT join forces to launch next-generation service robots

South Korea’s leading telecommunications company KT Corp. has partnered with LG Electronics Inc. to develop and launch next-generation customer service robots.

The two companies on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the research and development of advanced robots to be used in industrial workplaces and for customer services.

They also agreed to identify new business opportunities in Korea and abroad and cooperate in government-initiated robotics projects.

Since unveiling its first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered hotel butler robot in December 2019, KT has launched several customer service robots, including an autonomous robot for food and beverage deliveries, a care robot for senior people and a sanitizing robot for air purification.

KT unveiled such robots in partnerships with domestic robot makers such as Hyundai Robotics Co. and Bear Robotics Co.

In June, the telecom giant said it will spend 12 trillion won ($9.5 billion) on its digital service platform Digico and other growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, robots, cloud, media and content until 2026.

SURGING DEMAND FOR SERVICE ROBOTS

LG Electronics is one of the conglomerates rushing to nurture their robotics businesses, encouraged by surging demand for robots in the service industry.

The company has strengths in technologies related to autonomous driving and robot manufacturing.

In 2017, LG launched a robot service at the Incheon International Airport.

The LG CLOi GuideBot provides customer services such as wayfinding and displaying flight details. It interacts with users by answering questions, accompanying people to their destination and displaying visual information about available facilities and services at the airport.

It has also unveiled robots for hospitals, hotels and restaurants.

In 2017, LG made an investment in Korean wearable robot startup SG Robotics. The next year, it invested in San Francisco-based Bossa Nova Robotics as its first overseas robotics partner.

In 2018, it also acquired domestic robotics startup Robostar Co., which manufactures industrial robots and information technology component equipment.

In 2019, the company deployed N bots at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences to distribute amenities to each room. The N bot is expanding its use to also serve as barista and care robots.

In June of this year, LG agreed with Kakao Mobility Corp. to form a future mobility technology partnership with an aim to jointly launch an autonomous delivery robot service.

“We expect our partnership with LG to take Korea’s robotics industry to the next level,” said Song Jae-ho, vice president at KT’s AI/DX convergence business division.

Write to Seung-Woo Lee at leesw@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.