LG Electronics to Focus on Robot and Autonomous Vehicles

The South Korean tech giant LG Electronics announced during its year end restructuring that it will form two new divisions — in robotics and autonomous vehicles — which will be under the direct supervision of the CEO.

LG Electronics said the divisions, called robot business centre and autonomous vehicle business task, were formed to focus on strategically important sectors. This would mean that personnel for its home entertainment business and material and production research will now come under one roof. Previously, robotics was divided into various groups under the CTO.

The autonomous vehicle division will focus on mid-to-long-term investment and research, LG said. The company will also form a North America R&D Centre that will focus on researching AI for the US and Canada. Compatriot Samsung set-up its seventh AI research centre in Montreal, and is applying the technology in various areas, including medical imaging.

Both revenue and operating loss are shrinking for the mobile arm of the Korean electronics conglomerate. LG’s TV boss will also be heading the firm’s mobile business which isn’t doing very well. With seven consecutive quarters of operating losses, it is rumored that the firm is planning to dismantle its Smartphone business division.

LG’s has been diversifying into various electronic and AI segments. Only earlier this year LG showcased new robots in CES and is developing a smart cart with a local supermarket chain. LG Electronics and E-Mart will co-develop a smart cart for use in South Korean supermarkets that will follow customers around instead of being pushed.

Reportedly LG Display is collaborating with Huawei, Xiaomi, and Lenovo in developing foldable phones and will supply the display panels, according to South Korean media.