LG Electronics is getting to release its “LG CLOi robot with disinfection feature” in the American market early next year. It will be the first autonomous robot that will be exported to the American market. The company will look to target the B2B (Business to Business) market such as hotels and multiuse facilities and expand its robot business. It was confirmed that the company is currently in discussions with many companies in order to sell the robot. Its targets are companies and organizations from various fields such as hospitals, schools, stores, restaurants, and public transportation throughout the country.
The company’s robot is able to disinfect high-traffic areas through its autonomous design and disinfection feature using UV light. It is able to remove various bacteria and germs with its UV lamps that are attached to its sides and avoid obstacles through autonomous technology. The company introduced the robot at Korea Electronics Show that was recently held in South Korea. It also plans to introduce the robot during “CES 2021” that will be held online in January.
Level of interests towards robots with disinfection feature is already very high. While UVD from Denmark and SESTO Robotics from Singapore already developed contact-free disinfection robots prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and they have been supplying their robots to different markets and have been enjoying high demands due to the pandemic.
Potential impact is expected to be great once LG CLOi robot with disinfection feature is released in the U.S. where there are hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 cases each day as the company is already known for its advanced technologies in robotics engineering, AI, and autonomous driving and it is also far ahead than the companies that are already selling disinfection robots when it comes to brand. Once its robot succeeds in the American market, it will help boost the company’s robot business one step higher.
The company plans to accelerate expansion of its robot business in 2021. During a reshuffling, the company moved its commercial robot business to BS (Business Solution) Division that is responsible for the company’s B2B business so that the division that has a dense global network can push for commercialization of the company’s robot business on full-scale. Until now, the company’s robot business has been focused on product development and expansion of product lineup. It is also testing its products at some restaurants, hospitals, and airports in South Korea. A representative from LG Electronics USA said that the company’s CLOi disinfection robot will be a great help in preventing exposure of harmful bacteria and germs at all locations such as hotels, classrooms, and restaurants and that the company has expertise and holds various solutions in the fields of robotics engineering, AI, and autonomous driving.
Staff Reporter Park, Sora | srpark@etnews.com