LG Partners With SoundHound to Bring Voice AI Technology to Its Next-Gen IVI Systems

Smiling beautiful African American woman driving modern luxury car, happy young man sitting on the front passenger seat, looking on the road

Companies Aim to Improve the In-Vehicle Experience via Seamless Integration of
Virtual Assistant into LG’s Infotainment Solutions

SEOUL, July 28, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) has signed a memorandum of understanding with SoundHound AI, Inc. (SoundHound), a global player in voice artificial intelligence (AI), to jointly develop advanced voice AI technology for the next-generation of in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.

The partnership will leverage LG’s innovative IVI systems and SoundHound’s advanced voice AI platform, which enables conversational voice control, to bring an up-to-dated convenience to the driver and passenger experience.

As an intelligence driven consumer electronics and IT business, LG has been trying to inspire the auto industry with new form-factors. Simultaneously, LG always pursues an innovative partner for the future of mobility.

SoundHound’s advanced voice AI platform is built on Speech-to-Meaning^® and Deep Meaning Understanding^®technologies. These technologies enabled the evolution of voice experience from a legacy command-and-control interface to a more intuitive conversational functionalities for drivers and passengers.

This new collaboration will also allow users to take advantage of SoundHound’s voice commerce partnerships – meaning drivers and passengers will be able to pay for gas, parking or even order food directly from their vehicles, simply by using the microphone and infotainment display. Such voice-enabled commerce could help OEMs build new revenue streams via their connected vehicles.

Voice recognition is beginning to see much wider adoption in the auto segment, after initially being available only as an optional extra in select luxury vehicle models. As safety and ease-of-use being enhanced, voice AI technology will make it possible for carmakers to provide a range of services that will allow drivers to perform a variety of tasks hands-free and without taking their eyes off the road. Its wider implementation will also improve any commute or journey for those occupying the passenger seats as well.

With the virtual assistant market expected to grow considerably over the next decade, more automakers are recognizing the need to bring voice recognition features to their vehicle programs. In order to meet the anticipated rise in demand and move the technology forward, LG has partnered with the SoundHound. The two companies aim to bring innovative, new voice functionalities and capabilities to LG’s next-gen IVI systems to change the in-vehicle experience for the better life.

“We’re excited to collaborate with SoundHound and look forward to providing new in-vehicle experiences through seamlessly integrating its voice AI platform with our latest IVI system architecture,” said Eun Seok-hyun, president of the LG Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company. “This partnership will allow us to better meet the needs of our auto industry customers and create innovative solutions that will help driving the future of mobility.”

“Our agreement with LG will allow auto manufacturers of all sizes to deliver the kind of voice-enabled infotainment experience that users have come to expect in every part of their lives,” said Keyvan Mohajer, president and CEO of SoundHound. “We’re entering an era where people are beginning to expect to talk to devices in the way they talk to each other, and that those interactions will be helpful and proactive. This experience is enabled by the most advanced voice AI technology.”

Based in Santa Clara, California, SoundHound is a leading innovator in AI-based voice recognition and natural language processing solutions, operating across various industries including audio, telecommunications, financial services and automotive.

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An Active Supporter of Busan’s Bid to Host World Expo 2030

Gimpo International Airport, Korea

Earlier this year, LG embarked on its mission to promote Korea’s second city, Busan, as the ideal host for World Expo 2030. The company kicked off this endorsement back in February with a special campaign that involved airing short promotional videos on its famous outdoor displays around the world, most notably in the bustling areas of Times Square, New York City and Piccadilly Circus, London.

Piccadilly Circus, London

The next phase of the campaign brings the public around the world a new series of inspirational films ardently supporting Busan’s outstanding credentials for hosting one of the world’s most important trade shows.

InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas, Korea

The unique, eye-catching video beautifully highlights why Busan is the perfect city to host the World Expo in less than a minute, capturing the port city’s beautiful scenery, authentic culture and exceptional vision for a promising future at the same time.

Gimhae International Airport, Korea

The captivating videos were recently aired on displays and billboards at the international airports in Gimpo and Gimhae, Korea. But the most likely place where people will come across the content is in one of the capital’s busiest areas, Gangnam. Located in front of the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Hotel, which has become a landmark on Teheran-ro street – Seoul’s Times Square, the eye-catching LED billboard has been displaying LG’s supporting videos since July 15.

Evian Resort Golf Club, France

In an effort to carry out its mission to support Busan’s bid for World Expo, LG screened its promotional video during last week’s The Amundi Evian Championship at the exclusive Evian Resort Golf Club in France. As the official partner of the prestigious women’s golf tournament for six straight years, LG is confident that LG SIGNATURE’s premium value and ardent passion for Busan to win its bid caught the attention of golf fans around the world.

(From left to right) Franck Riboud, Honorary Chairman of Danone and Heaven Lee, LG Europe Region Representative at Hotel Royal Evian

As a global leader in consumer electronics, LG will continue to carry out its impactful promotional campaigns in the future. The company even formed a task force led by LG CEO William Cho and comprised of region representatives, the Overseas Corporation Management, the Global Marketing Center, the Korea Sales and Marketing Company as well as the Corporate Communications and Government Relations Center. By leveraging its network of 140 overseas subsidiaries, the company will actively support Busan’s bid by promoting it to members of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) around the world.

What’s more, LG executives will be championing the Busan World Expo 2030 campaign on business trips overseas while the promotional videos will be shown on LG TVs on display at LG Brand Shops worldwide.

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[Better Life Story] The Start of a New Journey: Making the World Better Together

An illustration to depict a environmentally friendly lifestyle with images of an electric vehicle, wind turbine, farmer and more

For a responsible corporate citizen, running a global business means not only providing quality products and services to customers worldwide, but also making a positive social impact around the planet. With an enduring vision to better customers’ lives, LG strives to pursue sustainable innovation in all areas of its diverse business operations.

As the pressing problems of our environment and society accelerate with the changing times, corporations’ sustainable strategies must evolve accordingly. Recognizing this, LG has unveiled its most up-to-date vision to achieve greater social impact.

LG’s newly revealed sustainable vision aligns perfectly with the phrase, Better Life for All. While LG has consistently shown its commitment to providing a better lifestyle for customers through its innovative products and services, the catchphrase signifies yet another step forward for the company. Henceforth, LG is expanding the scope of its sustainable practices to not only create a better life for its customers, but for the environment, employees, suppliers and for one and all who call this planet home.

With regard to sustainability, Better Life for All outlines LG’s new focus on creating a regenerative environment for the better well-being of all lives by establishing a circular economy – a term describing a production and consumption model that minimizes waste and the extraction of new resources.

The company is ultimately moving on from aiming to do less environmental harm within the traditional linear economy – a system where materials are processed into products and then thrown away after use – to creating an altogether new business process that promotes the recirculation of finite resources. With the new initiative, LG is redirecting more of its environmental efforts to retrieving and recycling used products.

Better Life for All also embodies LG’s commitment to realizing a more inclusive and diverse society by embracing differences, and by forming close-knit circles of alliance with company employees, corporate partners and stakeholders.

While LG has always endeavored to work closely with partners in its pursuit of sustainability, the company is further establishing guidelines to better collaborate with supply chain partners, nurture a more embracive corporate culture and introduce products that are accessible to all.

The company’s efforts in ongoing business practice involve C-Level executives’ leadership and collaboration with corporate partners and other entities which share LG’s goal of Better Life for All.

As with its vision, the company’s specific sustainability goals and plans for implementing related practices have constantly evolved over the years. In 2021, LG established a comprehensive framework for its sustainable practices. Key initiatives were re-established and categorized according to a new ESG structure, and corporate ESG communication guidelines were instituted for the first time.

This year, LG has further refined its far-reaching program of ESG initiatives in the recently announced ‘BETTER LIFE PLAN 2030.’ With ‘BETTER LIFE PLAN 2030’, LG is pursuing about a range of initiatives under the broad categories of ‘Environment’ and ‘Society’.

Stay tuned to Beyond News for the next story, which will look at how LG is fostering a greener and cleaner environment through the first three ESG Initiatives. You can find the 2021-2022 LG Electronics ESG STORY BOOK and FACT BOOK here.

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LG Continues Partnership With LPGA as an Official Sponsor of The Amundi Evian Championship

Park Sung-hyun and Ko Jin-young posing together

With Captivating, New Film and Unique In-person Experiences for Tournament Attendees,
Premium Brand Introduces Road to Perfection

SEOUL, July 21, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) is once again the official partner of The Amundi Evian Championship, marking the sixth straight year the premium brand has lent its support to the prestigious women’s golf tournament. Proud to be associated with the pursuit of golfing perfection, LG continues to deliver on the LG SIGNATURE ‘Art of Essence’ philosophy, offering premium products that combine stylish, functional design with the latest technologies.

Throughout The Amundi Evian Championship 2022, which began today and runs until July 24, LG SIGNATURE is showcasing its latest offerings within the beautiful confines of the exclusive Evian Resort Golf Club.

The brand is also making its presence known at this year’s tournament through promotions and unique activations such as the Hole In One by LG SIGNATURE at hole 5. Any player able to hit a hole-in-one there during stroke play will win a premium LG SIGNATURE home appliance. On top of that, an LG SIGNATURE Refrigerator, placed near the first hole and highlighting the brand’s distinctive, refined design, will enable the players to enjoy refreshing drinks preserved at the perfect temperature. Additionally, LG SIGNATURE OLED TV will be on display in the Hotel Royal, palace of Evian Resort, showing off the stunning colors and infinite contrast that only LG’s self-lit technology can provide.

As a treat for fans who haven’t been able to see their favorite golfers in person for some time due to COVID-19 restrictions, LG is planning a signing event with LG SIGNATURE’s ambassadors Ko Jin-young and Park Sung-hyun, the planet’s top-ranked female golfers.

In addition, LG recently unveiled ‘Road to Perfection,’ a short film that shows how the world’s No.1 female golfer and LG SIGNATURE brand ambassador Ko Jin-young, The Amundi Evian Championship and LG’s luxury brand, all strive to be the very best at what they do. Inspirational and insightful, the film gives audiences a look at the passion, skill and total dedication required to excel at the highest level. A second film exploring ‘Road to Perfection’ will be launching next month.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with The Amundi Evian Championship,” said Lee Jeong-seok, head of LG Electronics’ Global Marketing Center. “We hope to provide people with ‘timeless moments’ at this great tournament, and to demonstrate the natural alignment between our luxury brand and the world of professional golf. With ceaseless efforts and unmatched enthusiasm for achieving perfection, and a commitment to delivering timeless value and craftsmanship, LG will continue to offer exceptional products and unique brand experiences.”

To view the ‘Road to Perfection’ brand film, stay tuned to LG SIGNATURE’s official YouTube channel and Instagram account.

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[Mobility Inside] A Paradigm Shift in the Automotive Industry: Over-the-Air

An illustration of a semiconductor held by a machine hand and a image of a vehicle in the background

How many times have you woken up in the morning to discover your smartphone has gone through an update? These updates sometimes completely change the features of your device, allowing for more comfortable and convenient use of devices. This is all possible thanks to over-the-air (OTA).

OTA is the ability to download applications, services and configurations across a cellular or wireless network^*. When a manufacturer issues a new software or firmware update, it is uploaded to the cloud for download on the target device, subject to the owners’ confirmation of the update. One of the most common devices to employ this is the smartphone, but the technology has become an integral technology across many IT industries, including the automotive market.

This episode will present the crucial role that OTA plays in the automotive industry today.

OTA can be found in in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, offering various updates on user interface (UI) for navigation systems, digital cockpit functions, acceleration speed and driving assistance. However, its function is not limited to basic software updates.

OTA plays an essential role when activating Automated Driving System (ADS). For ADS to function well, vehicles on the road need to smoothly exchange key data, including driving speed, direction change and sudden response to emergency situations, and demands all autonomous vehicles and traffic systems to share the latest version of software to communicate efficiently with one another. OTA fulfills these requirements by creating a network and identifying the location of the vehicle, downloading the latest software that meets each country’s regulations.

Another significant feature of OTA is that it collects big data that helps build better models and solutions for the future. Including problems caused by autonomous vehicles, a wide range of data on time-sensitive technical issues is gathered in real-time, ultimately ensuring the advent of perfect, safe and convenient autonomous vehicles.

Manufacturers and developers alike are constantly striving to further improve OTA, attempting to minimize issues resulting from unknown variables. It is their constant modification and evaluation of the core system that makes this particular technology more valuable and meaningful.

OTA benefits both manufacturers and customers as it saves time, cost and effort in deploying up-to-date software. While automakers who have quickly evolved from manufacturers to tech companies that can deliver new and better software globally in a quicker and cost-effective way via OTA, customers do not have to visit a repair shop for software updates. The convenience and cost-effectiveness achieved through OTA are driving more and more customers worldwide to purchase automated electric vehicles.

Despite many advantages, we still need to pay attention closely to some areas that need to be approached with caution. Stability is one of the critical areas that need further enhancement. Even slight problems with automotive OTA can lead to accidents, so pre-employment assessment tests should be done with extra care and greater attention. And as automotive OTA is an integrated technology that deals with numerous automobile components, hardware and software that are much more complex than those of smartphones, achieving stability will be a very demanding task for automakers.

Security is another significant issue. The possibility of software damage through hacking and the acquisition of compromised data is a particular concern for the automotive industry. Currently, many companies are investing in research and having discussions to alleviate these issues and it is expected that more and more global automotive brands will be implementing OTA in the near future.

Today, vehicles are equipped with many electrical components to the point where they can be referred to as computers on wheels. In this era, the application of automotive OTA seems inevitable. So, even though it will be very challenging, LG will continue to do all that it can to develop OTA systems that come with various functions and can be easily applied to various types of vehicles.

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^* https://www.wirelesslogic.com/iot-glossary/what-is-ota/

LG Joins Connectivity Standards Alliance Board

Leveraging Technological Expertise and Vision for More Connected Future,
LG Leads Expansion of Smart Home Ecosystem

SEOUL, July 19, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) has been named to the Board of Directors of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (the Alliance), the leading global organization focused on developing, evolving and promoting universal open standards for the Internet of Things (IoT).

As the global home appliance market leader and a Promoter Member of the Alliance Board of Directors, LG brings a wealth of expertise and experience in smart home and communications technologies to the global organization. The newly appointed Board of Directors members are Don Williams of LG’s Chief Strategy Office and Dr. Sang Kim of LG’s Chief Technology Office.

With its elevated role within the Alliance, LG plans to actively participate in the development and standardization of Matter – the Alliance’s open-source IoT protocol for connecting smart home devices – and lead the expansion of the smart home ecosystem.

“Through our role on the Alliance board, we are demonstrating our full commitment to creating a more connected and convenient future,” said Dr. Kim Byoung-hoon, CTO and executive vice president of LG Electronics. “With the adoption and support of Matter, our growing lineup of smart products, including TVs, home appliances and IoT devices and sensors, will be able to connect to each other – and all compatible solutions – more securely and easily. We will continue to deliver innovative customer experiences and help drive the evolution of the smart home forward.”

Matter, an Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications standard for smart home technologies, is helping to create an open smart home environment where products from diverse manufacturers can communicate and share data, making compatibility issues a thing of the past.

LG aims to provide support for Matter across its convenience-enhancing smart platforms, including the LG ThinQ smart home platform and app and the award-winning webOS smart TV platform. The adoption of Matter will not only benefit LG customers but also strengthen the overall competitiveness of the company’s innovative home appliances and TV lineups.

“Like the Alliance, at LG, we are committed to evolving and improving the world in which we live,” said LG Senior Vice President of Innovation Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, and head of LG’s North American Innovation Center, LG NOVA. “For us, this means innovative product development focused on delivering a better user experience and improving how we provide service and value in the home and beyond. We look forward to this collaboration and all the opportunities to come.”

“LG brings great energy and market reach to the Alliance, with its wide-range of products to their engineering expertise and connectivity solutions, but what makes the Alliance stronger with LG is its dedication to innovation,” said Tobin Richardson, President, and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. “We are excited to have LG join our Board to help spur even greater innovation in what’s next with Matter, expanding the value of the Internet of Things to consumer everywhere.”

Composed of more than 500 companies, the Alliance’s global membership collaborates to create open standards for the IoT, transforming the way we live, work and play. With its members’ deep and diverse expertise, robust certification programs and a full suite of open IoT solutions, the Alliance is leading the movement toward a more intuitive, imaginative and useful world.

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[Better Life Story] How Yimenu’s Passion for Technology Led Him to LG

Yimenu Weldeyes Adefris working under the supervision of Ryu Kwang-jin

(From left to right) Yimenu Weldeyes Adefris, technical support assistant with the LGEME Gulf SVC Team and
Ryu Kwang-jin, Master of LGEME Tech Support & Training Team

As a young boy growing up in Ethiopia, Yimenu Weldeyes Adefris always knew he wanted a career in technology. But with fierce competition and limited local opportunities to gain the required skills and knowledge, it seemed highly likely that he may never get the chance.

LG-KOICA Hope TVET College, located in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, was co-founded by LG Electronics and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to help give passionate and capable young Ethiopians, like Yimenu, the tools needed to succeed in the tech industry. A graduate of the school, Yimenu now works as a full-time technical support assistant with LG Electronics Middle East (LGEME).

Not only was he top of his class at LG-KOICA Hope TVET College for three consecutive years, Yimenu was also recognized by the school’s faculty as an “excellent student.” After completing his studies in 2018, he worked for two years as an intern at LGEME, earning selection to his current role of technical support assistant in 2020.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend LG-KOICA Hope TVET College and for the ongoing career opportunities and professional growth I’ve enjoyed since joining LG,” he remarked. “I thank the college and the company for helping to make my childhood dream a reality.”

“I applied to LG-KOICA Hope TVET College at my mother’s recommendation,” he continued. “At first, studying was very difficult because there was so much to take in and I was also working part-time,” he added. “But, the guidance I received from the instructors and advisors there really helped me to push through, giving me the confidence and the foundation of knowledge I needed to succeed professionally.”

In addition to offering vocational training covering the repair and servicing of various electronics products, including home appliances, the college also offers comprehensive courses in information and communication technologies. Graduates of LG-KOICA have earned a reputation for being workforce-ready and for being innovative thinkers: a sought-after trait that LG actively fosters in all of its employees – and students – worldwide.

Although he learned much from and admired all of his instructors at the school, Yimenu formed a special bond with LG master technician, Ryu Kwang-jin. “Mr. Ryu definitely increased my passion for and understanding of technology and continues to be a role model and mentor for me,” Yimenu noted. “It’s because of him that I strive every day to become a better technician. One day, I hope to become a master technician, just like Mr. Ryu.”

Yimenu gives much of the credit for being the top performer in his class to Ryu. Inspired by his mentor, he spent much of his time outside the classroom applying his growing skill-base at home. The budding technician dismantled (and put back together) the family TV, doing the same with his mother’s mobile phone and various other devices around the house. Seeing the young man’s enthusiasm and aptitude for technology, Ryu recommended Yimenu take advanced courses to help him accelerate and expand his competencies. Today, having learned how to repair practically every LG home appliance and B2B product, he is currently in charge of technical support for 12 countries, including the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

To further his understanding of LG’s latest technical services and support processes, Yimenu recently traveled to South Korea to visit the company’s home base. There, he was reunited with his teacher and mentor.

“He is full of passion for technology,” said Ryu, recalling Yimenu as a shy but spirited student. “I wanted to help him fulfill his enormous potential and make his dreams come true. I believe he can become a great LG master technician. I am very proud to have taught him, but even more so to see his continued growth, both professionally and personally.”

For Ethiopian youngsters who dream of following in his footsteps and carving out a successful career in their chosen field, Yimenu has some advice of his own to impart: “Keep challenging yourselves to become better people, pursue your dreams and listen to those with the experience and wisdom to help guide you. When you work hard and believe, anything is possible.”

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LG Teams up With Multi-Platinum Singer Jeremy Zucker to Highlight LG’s Market-Leading Products

Jeremy Zucker with variety of LG IT products

Jeremy Zucker Shares How LG gram Laptop, UltraWide Monitor and
CineBeam Projector Perfectly Match His Creative Lifestyle

SEOUL, July 13, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker announced a collaboration to create an exclusive content series capturing a behind-the-scenes look during his upcoming concert tour across Europe including the UK in July.

Recently named the ambassador for LG’s innovative products, Zucker will be sharing his life, thoughts and music as he travels for the concerts, enthralling audiences with his heartfelt vocals and self-penned songs at every stop along the way. The exclusive content series, Inspire, Perform and Achieve, which will air via LG’s Instagram account, will also reveal how the critically-acclaimed LG gram laptop, LG UltraWide™ monitor and LG CineBeam projector lineups “comethru” for his creative lifestyle.

Jeremy Zucker gained global attention in 2018 with his Platinum-Certified indie hit, comethru. He is also known for popular songs such as the Platinum single all the kids are depressed (2018) and his beautiful duet with Chelsea Cutler, Platinum-certified you were good to me (2019). In his new collaboration with LG, Zucker will offer fresh insight into how he finds inspiration, performs his music and achieves his goals as an artist.

LG and Zucker will be releasing a variety of compelling content in the coming months, including short videos about his music production process with LG UltraWide™ monitor, on-the-go lifestyle with LG gram and quiet downtime with LG CineBeam. Thanks to the new partnership, fans worldwide can enjoy learning more about the very talented artist and why he loves working and relaxing with LG’s innovative products.

“I’m excited about this new partnership, and to share the unique value of my favorite LG products with all of my fans,” said Zucker. “These products are incredibly easy to use and most importantly, they work so well for my daily routine – whether I’m working in the studio, traveling on tour, or at home enjoying some downtime. I would 100% say that LG products are making my life better and more comfortable.”

“Jeremy is such an authentic artist and we love the way he’s able to capture real feelings and experiences through his distinctive style,” said Seo Young-jae, senior vice president and head of the IT business unit at LG Electronics Business Solutions Company. “He’s also very charismatic and tech-savvy. He perfectly stands for the customer value LG is pursuing. For LG, it’s an honor to have Jeremy on board and hear him talk passionately about how LG products enhance his productivity and creativity.”

LG’s IT business unit is committed to offering a wide range of powerful, user-friendly products that improve the quality of life at home, at work and on-the-go. Among its market-leading offerings are the premium UltraFine™ and UltraWide™ monitors, designed for professional editing and productivity; ultra-lightweight LG gram laptops made for take-anywhere convenience; and CineBeam projectors that take the home cinema experience to the next level.

To learn more about LG’s innovative products and how they perfectly match Jeremy Zucker’s creative lifestyle, please visit the LG IT business’ official Instagram account @lg_tech.it.

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Fostering Innovations for a Better Future

A worker looking over the production process of machines

In its efforts to bring innovative technologies to the forefront in the discussion on building a more sustainable future, LG Electronics presented its selected startups from LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future challenge program on the world stage at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and the Collision Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Photo Credit: World Economic Forum

The top agenda at this year’s WEF conference was climate change and sustainability. Three startups from LG NOVA – Eatron Technologies, Duckt by Acton and Faction – participated to share their solutions for greener mobility. During the week, the three presented their business solutions at the Climate Tech Showcase at the Hotel Seehof hosted by the Green Accelerator, sponsored by LG NOVA, and were later selected to pitch at the Altru Institute’s “Best of Davos” event.

(From left to right) Dr. Umut Genc, Cagri Selcuklu and Ain McKendrick

Eatron is a fast-growing, UK-based automotive software company dedicated to making software-defined electric vehicles (EVs) a reality through edge computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Faction, founded in 2020, develops driverless EVs that have the speed and performance of conventional cars at a fraction of the cost. Faction uses three-wheel vehicles that are regulated as motorcycles, making them faster to develop and “right-sized” for many urban deliveries and trips.
Duckt is a smart mobility startup that develops and operates docking, locking and charging infrastructure solutions for micro-mobility vehicles. Duckt is integrated across more than 20 mainstream vehicles, operating both in the United States and the European Union, covering 85 percent of the global market under one charging standard.

“Attending WEF Davos together with the LG NOVA team was an eye-opening experience,” said Dr. Umut Genc, managing director of Eatron Technologies. “Not only did we pitch Eatron’s battery management system technology in front of leading sustainability players, but we also had the chance to have deep and meaningful discussions with the LG NOVA team and partners on further collaboration.”

In addition to supporting startups in the First 50, LG NOVA participated in various keynotes, presentations and panels throughout the week. Patrick Lin, an entrepreneur-in-residence with the LG NOVA team, spoke at the Altru Institute about innovations in the EV sector. Will Barkis, head of ecosystem and grand challenges, presented a keynote at the Climate Technology showcase, while Limor Schafman, director of strategy and operations at LG NOVA, was a panelist on the practical implications for equal access at the House of Balance on the Davos Promenade.

(From left to right) Michael Stirling, Chairman and CEO, Stirling Infrastructure Partners, Barbara-Ann Bernard, Founder and CEO Wincrest Capital, Gerry van der Sluys, CEO Business Creation and Maria Dayton, director of ecosystems for LG NOVA, on a panel on impact investment at the Climate Technology showcase and the House of Balance on the Davos Promenade.

Following the World Economic Forum event, the LG NOVA team headed to Toronto, Canada to join 33,000 attendees at the Collision Conference. The sold-out show was an opportunity for LG NOVA, alongside the LG Electronics Canada, to share the company’s message of innovation through collaboration with businesses to attendees from around the world.

Photo Credit: Collision

With well over 1,200 startups in attendance and new startups exhibiting every day, representatives from LG NOVA, LG Canada and the LG Business Solutions Company had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of attendees, including startups, investors and accelerators, on LG’s innovative initiatives and LG NOVA’s annual Mission for the Future challenge program.

At the event, LG NOVA announced its “Selected 20” startups that have been chosen to move forward in the 2021 Mission for the Future challenge. The event provided an opportunity for LG NOVA to highlight three representative startups – I-EMS Group, Ltd., LifeNome and YBVR, which represent Energizing Mobility, Connected Health and the Metaverse space, respectfully.

I-EMS’s software solutions help electricity system operators, power utilities, microgrid developers, net-zero community developers and EV-fleet operators plan and operate their systems with minimum cost and maximum reliability and resiliency.
A global precision health AI platform for enterprises, LifeNome’s Genomic AI engine leverages biological, physiological and behavioral data to personalized interventions, products and services for global health and wellbeing.
YBVR’s technology brings live event emotions closer to fans through a personalized, immersive and interactive experience. Its turnkey solution provides the ability to turn live events into immersive streaming of extended reality (XR) video in real time with ultra-low lag across multiple devices.

Both events provided great opportunities for LG and LG NOVA to not only showcase the future through its ongoing startup collaboration but to also create awareness for LG’s vision of innovating to improve the quality of life and efforts toward building a better future.

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Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

A picture of LG InstaView, a box of eggs and a smartphone with LG ThinQ app on

Summer picnics and trips to the beach are great seasonal activities, but nothing beats coming back to the cool comforts of home during the hottest days of the year. With LG’s innovative smart home technology, you can make your home cool, enjoyable and convenient. Here are some quick tips and tricks for living your best summer life at home.

Turn Your Bedroom into the Ultimate Summer Escape

What would we do without our trustworthy, wall-mounted air conditioner saving us from the hot, sleepless nights of summer? But although keeping your air conditioner running through the night may help you sleep better, it doesn’t bode well for your energy bills. With the LG ThinQ app’s smart energy monitoring feature, you gain instant access to monthly usage insights for every connected LG appliance, which makes sure you stay on top of your energy consumption and all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the coolness of home.

Save Time and Stress in the Laundry Room

Summertime can often mean more laundry as families spend more time outside in the sun, making laundry day more tedious. With the right tools, you can spend less time washing and more time enjoying the summer season. Today, there are a variety of innovative washers and dryers that take the guesswork out of laundry day. Washers with AI DD technology from LG, for instance, help save time and effort by automatically determining the best cycle after measuring your fabric’s weight and softness. What’s more, the LG ThinQ app provides a wide range of downloadable washing courses for every garment – from light cotton sundresses to polyester swimsuits.

Prep Your Kitchen for Summer Entertaining

Keeping all your stored ingredients and produce fresh may be challenging during the sweltering summer, but it really doesn’t have to be with the LG ThinQ app’s storage date alert. Make a note of your perishable items’ expected storage date on the LG Smart Refrigerator’s “Food Manager” feature, and the LG ThinQ app will remind you when you’re entering the now or never territory. It’s also great to know that the smart energy monitoring feature you use for your LG air conditioner also works for your fridge, so you won’t be overworking the appliance when you need it most.

Craving for a marvelously cold popsicle to soothe the heat? Enjoying an icy treat straight out of the fridge is so much faster and easier with the help of the Express Freeze feature, which increases your refrigerator’s ice-making and freezing functions. It’s possible to activate the feature from anywhere in your home, since it’s available both from your refrigerator panel and the LG ThinQ app.

A sunny summer “stay-cation” afternoon at home should come with endless naps, eating ice cream in front of the TV and reading a good book in cool, comfortable air, all made possible with smart home appliances.

Learn more about LG’s smart appliances and the ThinQ app at www.LGThinQ.com.

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LG Releases Preliminary Earnings for Second-Quarter 2022

SEOUL, July 7, 2022 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced its preliminary earnings results for the second quarter of 2022.

LG reported revenues of KRW 19.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2022, 15 percent higher than the same quarter the previous year. Operating profit for the second quarter was KRW 791.7 billion, expected to be 12 percent lower than the same quarter of the previous year.

LG Electronics terminated production and sales of solar panel at the end of June this year and is treating the performance of solar business as a discontinued operating loss from the second quarter 2022 earnings announcement. Applying the same standards from the second quarter of 2022 to the same period last year, LG would have recorded a revenue of KRW 16.9 trillion with an operating profit of KRW 900.1 billion.

These figures are the tentative consolidated earnings based on K-IFRS provided as a service to investors prior to LG Electronics’ final earnings results including net profit. Details regarding each division will be announced officially later this month.

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LG Continuously Strengthens Position in Global Electric Vehicle Industry

Inside the vehicle equipped with in-vehicle infotainment system

Company Continues to Perform Well in Highly Competitive Sector,
Securing Orders Worth KRW 8 Trillion in the First Half of 2022

SEOUL, July 5, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) continues to establish its position as a major force in the electric vehicle (EV) component solutions business, confirming it has secured orders valued at KRW 8 trillion in the first half of 2022 to deliver its in-vehicle experience to diverse global automakers.

Expanding cooperation with major global car manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz AG, Groupe Renault and General Motors and supplying its P-OLED IVI systems to clients’ electric vehicles, LG is seeking to augment its comprehensive portfolio.

LG’s EV component solutions business is rapidly growing based on its three core businesses sector: the LG Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company, ZKW Group and LG Magna e-Powertrain.

Acquired by LG in 2018, ZKW Group boasts market-leading vehicle headlamp technology, and a global clientele that includes BMW, Mercedes-Benz AG, Audi and Porsche. Meanwhile, LG Magna e-Powertrain is expanding its worldwide production base, adding a third manufacturing facility (Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico) to its existing factories in Incheon, South Korea and Nanjing, China. Construction has already begun on the 25,000-square meter site, which is projected to open in 2023 and is slated to produce key components, such as motors and inverters, for General Motors’ next-generation of EVs.

In the first half of this year, the value of orders for LG’s advanced EV component solutions surpassed the total accumulated value of all orders on hand as of 2021 (KRW 60 trillion) by a mark of 13 percent. The company expects that the accumulated orders placed with its EV components business by the end of 2022 will exceed KRW 65 trillion in value.

Given the decrease in vehicle production due to the shortage of automotive semiconductors and other ongoing global supply issues, the performance is encouraging as the consolidated sales for LG’s EV component solutions business increased up to 24 percent compared to last year, reaching KRW 6.7 trillion.

Based on a report from market research firm Strategy Analytics published in April 2022, LG is estimated to be already leading the global telematics market, boasting a 22.7 percent market share as of the first quarter of 2022 and recording a double-digit market share in the audio, video and navigation (AVN) market since last year.

“Leveraging the advanced core technologies and the strong partnership with the global manufacturers, we will continue to provide differentiated value to our auto-industry customers,” said Eun Seok-hyun, president of the LG VS Company.

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LG and SM Entertainment Launch Joint Venture to Create Next-Gen Home Fitness Experience

LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan presenting a new venture during the launch ceremony of Fitness Candy at Conrad Seoul on Thursday

Named ‘Fitness Candy,’ New Company to Deliver Platform Providing Content,
Services and Products for a Fitter, Healthier Life at Home

SEOUL, June 30, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) and SM Entertainment (SM), a leading entertainment group in South Korea, have launched Fitness Candy, a joint venture that will bring F.U.N – an acronym for First, Unique and New – user experiences to the fast-growing home fitness segment. LG and SM hold a 51 and 49 percent stake, respectively, in the company.

At the official launch ceremony of Fitness Candy, held today in Seoul, Korea, both partners shared their vision for delivering new and differentiated home fitness experiences. Combining their expertise in innovative consumer technology and cutting-edge entertainment, LG and SM aim to create a comprehensive lifestyle platform – complete with content, services and related products – to help people address their health and fitness needs at home.

LG will develop, operate and manage service platforms for Fitness Candy. As a global leader in user-friendly software and hardware solutions integrating advanced AI and data analysis capabilities, it will also be designing a new generation of home fitness devices prioritizing convenience, ease-of-use and F.U.N customer experiences. SM, which boasts a wide global fandom based on its diverse roster of talents, will contribute world-class content to encourage and challenge users of all fitness levels.

Planning and producing home fitness-related content and devices, Fitness Candy will operate via a subscription service-based app. Set to be released in September, the app will be available for installation in various operating systems and devices such as smartphones and smart TVs, providing interactive, personalized services that collect data from smart bands, cameras and exercise devices.

Fitness Candy provides content in six categories: strength training, core strengthening, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), dance, stretching and meditation. Content in each category will run for 10 to 40 minutes and will be updated weekly.

In close collaboration with SM, Fitness Candy is focused on creating content, not only limited to home fitness, that users can easily watch and enjoy. Encompassed by its slogan “Beyond Fitness, Sweet Life,” the company plans to secure a wealth of content such as sports, variety shows and documentaries, as well as content that helps with healthy diets, rehabilitation and stress relief.

The Fitness Candy platform will enable users to access a wide range of interactive fitness content featuring popular Korean celebrities, such as Fitness Candy ambassador and model Han Hye-jin, dancer Aiki, and actress Choi Yeo-jin. Various South Korean athletes, including triathlete Heo Min-ho, Taekwondo Olympic medalist Lee Dae-hoon, short track speed skater Lee Yu-bin and former rugby player Andre Jin Coquillard, actively participated in the content creation process, enabling the company to provide even more professional and entertaining content to users.

The company aims to introduce a variety of new devices that can be linked to its app, allowing users to enjoy content more effectively. One of them is a device that can recognize and track users’ movements thanks to the inclusion of LG’s AI camera and IoT platform. Connecting wirelessly to the user’s TV, the device allows for two-way communication, creating the ideal setup for virtual one-on-one coaching sessions and for participating in live-streamed exercise classes.

Fully utilizing LG’s innovative technologies such as AI, big data, motors and displays, the company also plans to develop products such as muscle strengthening devices, indoor bicycles and smart bands.

“We will transform LG’s business paradigm from function-oriented home appliances into a customer experience-oriented company, transforming into a company that provides smart life solutions to deliver the best customer experience,” said William Cho, CEO of LG Electronics. “Through Fitness Candy, LG’s innovative technology and SM’s content creating capabilities will converge to create differentiated smart life solutions that provide never-before-seen customer experiences.”

“The coming together of LG’s innovative technology and SM’s music, dance and various content that have paved the way for the future of K-pop is a great opportunity for the two companies to contribute to the global fitness and healthcare industry,” said Lee Sung-su, co-CEO of SM Entertainment. “Fitness Candy is a digital fitness content project that goes beyond simple diet experiences and, rather, empowers users to rediscover healthy fitness habits.”

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LG Earns Robot Safety Control Certification From Det Norske Veritas

First in the World to Receive ISO 13849-1 Certification for Mobile Service Robots,
LG Confirms Its Leadership in the Field of Robot Safety Technology

SEOUL, June 28, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) has again proven its technological capabilities and commitment to creating safe, new innovations for a better life, becoming the first company in the world to receive the ISO 13849-1 certification^* for its safety controller module utilized in mobile service robots. The new certification applies to LG’s advanced safety controllers for robots and was issued by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), an international accredited registrar and classification body headquartered in Norway.

LG’s newly developed safety controller for robots ensures the highest level of operational safety and reliability by actively managing robots’ settings, monitoring signals from robots’ sensors in real-time and providing protective deceleration or stop-control whenever any risk is detected.

Composed of only one module, LG’s safety controller boasts a significant advantage over conventional controllers – it can be easily adapted according to the individual specifications of each robot, or to meet the unique requirements of each customer.

Previously, manufacturers had to analyze and evaluate every single aspect of functional safety for each robot they produced, but this is no longer the case thanks to LG’s sophisticated controller. This is expected to help the company authenticate and launch new service robots, such as those from its well-known LG CLOi ServeBot and LG CLOI GuideBot series, more quickly than before.

A leader in the fast-changing robotics industry, LG has accumulated a wealth of data and knowhow through many decades of tireless innovation. The company has introduced a wide variety of robot solutions optimized for settings such as hotels, hospitals and restaurants, and leveraging its diverse technological capabilities, including in the areas of autonomous driving systems, sensors, artificial intelligence and cameras.

Recently, the company announced its full-fledged entry into the next-generation logistics robot market with the launch of LG CLOi CarryBot, developed in collaboration with CJ Logistics, one of South Korea’s largest parcel delivery firms.

“As autonomous robots for both industry and consumer applications are becoming more common, the field of robot safety technology continues to grow in importance,” said Dr. Baek Seung-min, head of the Advanced Robotics Lab at LG Electronics. “We are leading the way in this critical area, leaning on our considerable technological capabilities and real-world experience in applied robotics to provide the highest level of functional safety for the next-generation of autonomous robots.”

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^*An international standard for safety-related parts of machinery control systems as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

LG Accelerates Its Electric Vehicle Charger Solutions Business

LG Acquires AppleMango Together with GS Energy and GS Neotek,
Securing Advanced EV Charger Development Capabilities

SEOUL, June 27, 2022 — LG Electronics (LG) today announced it has acquired South Korean electric vehicle (EV) charger solutions provider, AppleMango Co., Ltd., jointly with GS Energy and GS Neotek. The acquisition is expected to accelerate the growth of LG’s EV charging solution business and enable the company to take advantage of future business opportunities.

This strategic move, combined with LG’s own expertise and wealth of experience in both B2C and B2B segments, will enable the company to create fully-featured charging stations boasting a user-friendly interface and real-time control/management. LG continues to strengthen its EV charging solution business leveraging its exceptional digital signage technologies – specifically, its IP-rated outdoor digital display with sturdy, dust- and water-proof enclosure.

Established in 2019, AppleMango has developed proprietary technologies and systems, including a slim, fast charger, to meet the rising global demand for EV charging solutions. In addition to the company’s market-leading charging tech, LG will secure access to the necessary operational infrastructure by working closely with GS Energy and GS Neotek. Both GS companies have considerable experience in operating EV charging stations and related businesses.

The new acquisition will help LG to become an integrated solutions provider, bringing together its new charger development capabilities and existing in-house-developed EV charging management system. Moreover, the move is expected to create synergy with LG’s ongoing efforts in the area of vehicle components, including the development and supply of EV batteries and adjacent products, such as energy storage system (ESS) and energy management solutions.

“The EV charging market is expected to grow rapidly due to the surging demand for more eco-friendly vehicles,” said Paik Ki-mun, senior vice president of LG Electronics Business Solutions Company. “Leveraging our know-how and experience in the B2B sector, we will offer customized, integrated vehicle charging solutions for diverse customers, enhancing the competitiveness of our existing business and ensuring our readiness for future opportunities.”

LG now boasts a comprehensive EV business portfolio, with the recently-launched EV charging solution business joining other LG-owned concerns, including the LG Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company, ZKW Group and the LG Magna e-Powertrain joint venture. This year, LG will establish an EV charger production line at LG Digital Park in South Korea, and aims to provide customized charging solution for various settings, such as private residences, shopping malls, hotels and public institutions, in the near future.

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LG Newsroom