LG Electronics: "Robots May Arrive in Homes Faster... Preparing Bipedal Humanoids"

Seungtae Baek, Head of Home Appliance Solutions at LG Electronics

"The Core of Zero Labor Home is the Robot"

"Actuators Powered by 60 Years of Motor Expertise"

"Even China Faces Rising Costs; Low-Price Offensive Will End"

LG Electronics has identified robots as the key hardware for realizing the 'Zero Labor Home' (elimination of household chores). The company predicts that robots will eventually be adopted in homes, moving beyond current industrial robots, and this adoption may happen faster than expected. To this end, LG Electronics is preparing to develop a bipedal humanoid robot and is also planning to grow actuators—key components in robots—into a new B2B (business-to-business) growth engine.

Seungtae Baek, Head of the Home Appliance Solutions (HS) Division at LG Electronics, spoke at a press conference held on the 5th (local time) in Berlin, Germany, during IFA 2026. He stated, “Each home appliance aims to understand the customer's space and life, make its own decisions, and act autonomously, directing us toward a Zero Labor Home. The most important form factor (hardware) in a Zero Labor Home will be the robot.”

Seungtae Baek, Head of the Home Appliance Solutions (HS) Division at LG Electronics, spoke at a press conference held on the 5th (local time) in Berlin, Germany, where IFA 2026 is underway. LG Electronics.

However, he pointed out that while the introduction of robots to factories is proceeding rapidly, deploying them in homes will take more time. Baek explained, “We will soon deploy humanoid robots at the Tennessee plant in the United States and at the Changwon Smart Factory. As homes present many unpredictable situations and safety remains a concern, it will require more time.” Nevertheless, he added, “Robots may enter homes sooner than people expect.”

LG Electronics is preparing not only the mobile home robot 'CLOiD,' but also a bipedal robot platform with human-like legs. Baek noted, “At CES, you may have seen the mobile version of CLOiD without legs, but we are preparing a robot platform with human-like legs as well. We are fully preparing the entire robotics platform.”

Rather than just producing finished robots, LG Electronics intends to build a robot value chain through a division of roles at the group level. LG Innotek is in charge of components such as eyes and sensors, LG Chem is responsible for materials, LG CNS handles data, and LG Electronics itself will take care of manufacturing capabilities including robot joints.

"60 Years of Motor Production ... Securing Technological and Cost Competitiveness"

Seungtae Baek, Head of the Home Appliance Solutions (HS) Business Division at LG Electronics, is speaking at a press conference held on the 5th (local time) in Berlin, Germany, where IFA 2026 is taking place. LG Electronics.

This year, LG Electronics has introduced actuators for robots as a new B2B growth driver. Actuators, key parts that deliver motor power to control robot joints and movement, consist mainly of motors, reducers, and drives. The company explained that currently, the market is fragmented due to a lack of standard specifications, with actuators being produced in customized versions by each humanoid manufacturer.

Baek stressed, “We have been manufacturing motors for 60 years and also have global competitiveness in motors used within actuators.” He also stated, “Compared to competitors, we can make motors more than 30% lighter.” LG Electronics identified cost competitiveness, as well as the motors, as one of the strengths in its actuator business. However, Baek acknowledged that the company has not yet secured technology for reducers and plans to acquire this technology through both internal development and external sourcing.

He went on to say, “The growth of the actuator industry will go hand in hand with the growth of the humanoid robot industry. Leading companies, such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics, expect explosive demand for physical AI starting in 2030.” He estimated that actuators account for about 60% of the material cost of a humanoid robot, with approximately 30 actuators installed in a Tesla robot.

Regarding orders from big tech companies, Baek commented, “Although we have not yet confirmed contracts with specific companies, we plan to hold meetings in October about production readiness.”

"Sustained Low-Price Offensive by Chinese Companies Is Difficult" ... LG Responds with Component Competitiveness

Seungtae Baek, Head of LG Electronics Home Appliance Solutions (HS) Business Division, is introducing AI home solutions that allow AI to understand the customer's space and provide necessary functions through the AI home platform ‘ThinQ,’ AI home hub ‘ThinQ On,’ and actionable AI agent ‘ThinQ Clo’ at the LG Electronics booth at ‘IFA 2026.’ LG Electronics.

Amid the intensifying offensive from Chinese home appliance makers, LG Electronics is defending the competitiveness of its appliance business by emphasizing strengths in key components. Baek explained that regarding Chinese competitors' low-price strategies, “In the past, Chinese companies achieved cost reductions of about 10%, but in the first half of this year, the cost for Chinese companies actually increased. Therefore, they are not likely to continue their low-price offensives solely to increase market share.”

LG Electronics is also boosting its cost competitiveness. By leveraging the Chinese ecosystem to strengthen competitiveness in materials and components and using global production bases, the company has established a system to flexibly adjust production according to market conditions. Baek highlighted, “We tried to reduce material costs by changing our supply chain and became much stronger in terms of material cost structure,” also emphasizing the company’s responsiveness through global production bases.

He also outlined differentiation factors compared to Chinese companies, stating, “Competition in the home appliance industry is shifting to how much a product can deliver customer experience. We plan to continually strengthen factors that set us apart—namely core component technology and quality, as well as customer convenience and ease of operation.”

In the European market, Baek pointed out, traditional leaders such as Miele and Bosch now compete alongside Korean and Chinese brands. European consumers, who are highly sensitive to energy costs, place importance on energy efficiency. Accordingly, LG Electronics aims to secure competitiveness by offering high-efficiency products and AI-based energy management technology together.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.