LG Announces Global Startup Competition to Recruit New Businesses for Innovation Center
‘Mission for the Future’ Challenge Seeks Innovations that Improve Quality of Life
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sep. 1, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) announces the launch of Mission for the Future, a global challenge competition for startups to identify innovative technologies and business ideas that pave the way to the future. This inaugural competition is hosted by the company’s new Silicon Valley-based innovation center, LG NOVA, a strategic team within LG working with startups and the entrepreneur communities to build new businesses and bring even more innovation from the outside into LG.
Mission for the Future is a nine-month annual challenge program created to seek the best ideas, concepts and businesses that will improve quality of life in a greener, smarter, healthier, more-connected future. Selected challenge entrants will begin working with the LG NOVA team on their business proposals within three to six months, leading up to the finalist selection process starting in March 2022.
Finalists of the challenge competition will get the opportunity to work with the LG NOVA team based in California to accelerate their growth and take their business to the next stage, potentially launching a new business with LG. The company intends to set aside up to USD 20 million to support finalists with investments, resources, funding for concept development and access to LG’s global infrastructure and supply chain to build joint businesses with LG.
Throughout the process, outstanding challenge participants with unique business ideas will have the opportunity to engage with LG and its partners and access corporate resources, mentorship and pilot programs to continue to grow their business.
The 2021-22 competition will spotlight innovations for technologically advanced lifestyles for the good of people, communities and the planet across five focus tracks:
- Connected Health: Inventive approaches, access and devices to provide people with more control over their healthcare anytime and anywhere, thereby increasing the health and wellness of our population;
- Energizing Mobility: New services, solutions and business ideas that will help scale the electric mobility infrastructure and catapult the use of electric power for vehicle and transportation forward;
- Smart Lifestyles: Content, services, applications and technology that can be deployed in the connected home space, potentially leveraging LG’s ThinQ™ platform to streamline and improve how we live our daily lives;
- The Metaverse: Innovations that will help build the next digital world and internet enabled by gaming, VR, AR and XR technologies, blockchain, digital avatars and more; and
- Innovation for Impact: An open track for breakthrough or adjacent innovations aligned with LG’s philosophy of innovation for a better life that create positive impact on people, communities and the planet.
“The Mission for the Future challenge serves as LG NOVA’s first step towards outside-in innovation for LG, as it collaborates with innovators and startups all around the world to grow ideas and build businesses together,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, senior vice president for innovation at LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA. “Simply put, LG wants to create positive societal impact, and we believe that diverse perspectives can lead to better innovations for the broader global community. This means technologies for sustainable living, eco-friendly products and an inclusive society overall. We will innovate to save lives, save the earth and create a better life for all.”
How It Works: Mission for the Future Review and Selection Process
Applications for Mission for the Future will be accepted September 1 to October 25, 2021, at missionforthefuture.lgnova.com, and winners will be named in June 2022. Ultimately, up to 10 companies will earn the finalist distinction and get the opportunity to build their business in collaboration with LG.
Startup evaluations for the “First 50” will take place between October 25 to December 31, 2021, in which up to 50 companies will be provided access to resources to help grow a joint business, including essential business infrastructure, networking with global tech leaders, mentorship and collaboration opportunities. This group will also get connected to LG’s network of corporate partners, VCs, pilot programs and other influential organizations to pursue additional business opportunities.
The LG NOVA team will continue the engagement process with the “First 50” startups from January to March 2022 with the intent to announce the “Selected 20” at the end of March 2022. This group will be provided with opportunities for access to capital investments, LG’s global infrastructure and other business resources based on the joint business growth strategy and need.
The LG NOVA team will then select the “Top 10” challenge winners at the end of June 2022 who will have the opportunity to build their business in collaboration with LG and be supported by the company’s global organization.
Learn more about how LG NOVA is fueling innovation for a better future at www.lgnova.com.
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The Virtuous Cycle of Recycling Home Appliances
Plastics are used in almost every product imaginable, from disposable shopping bags and water bottles to products that are with us for years, such as refrigerators, furniture and automobiles. Plastic is ubiquitous in the modern world and its invention has undoubtedly made daily life easier and more convenient. But our dependence on plastic products, which has increased even more during the pandemic, is a cause for concern due to its negative effect on the health of the planet.
As most plastics contain toxic chemicals and don’t biodegrade over time like natural materials, they can wreak havoc on the environment and on the health of human and animal life if not recycled or disposed of properly. But it’s not just plastics. Electronic waste, heavy metals and refrigerant gases have also become serious pollution problems that need to be tackled. If recycling is to be a part of the solution, the world must do better, as currently less than 10 percent of all consumer and commercial products made are recycled.1 The bulk of these unwanted products represents millions and millions of tons of waste each year and end up in landfills around the world.
Helping to create a virtuous cycle by improving recycling efficiency and reducing the environmental impact from products that have reached the end of their lifespan, LG Electronics is investing in a state-of-the-art recycling facility in its home country. Located in Hamyang County, South Korea, the LG Recycling Center collects a broad range of discarded household appliances which after disassembling, crushing and screening are reborn as useful materials that will be reused in new appliances, beginning their lifecycle again.
Every year, the center recycles more than half a million appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. With its skilled technicians, tried-and-true processes and specialized equipment, scrapped products are stripped of useful materials such as aluminum, copper, steel and of course plastic, to be used again in new LG home appliances.
Starting with recycling at Chilseo, let’s take a look at the four main steps that turn old appliances from waste to parts for new products.
Step One: Disassemble, Crush, Sort
Once the appliances have been collected at the Chilseo Recycling Center, workers manually remove both mechanical and detachable plastic components such as compressors, drawers and shelving. Any remaining refrigerant is safely extracted using a gas recovery device. The patented system – the first of its kind – automates the entire removal process, which greatly increases efficiency and employee safety. Appliance frames are then crushed and then sorted into iron, copper, plastic, aluminum, etc., through a variety of methods using vibration, gravity, magnets and air.
Step Two: Broken Plastic to Neat Pellets
Crushed plastic harvested from the disassembled products are moved to another facility and sorted another time using water before being melted, cooled and cut into small pellets of uniform size. With their consistent shape, scale and composition, the pellets are perfect for use in the manufacturing of plastic parts and goods, offering dual benefits of reducing both waste and effort required to create new products.
Step Three: Transformation Into New Components
Next, the pellets are transferred to another site where they are melted down, poured into molds and transformed into plastic components for new LG refrigerator models.
Step Four: Rebirth
The plastic components are then moved to LG’s Changwon plant, the company’s main home appliance manufacturing facility 30 kilometers away to be repurposed in LG refrigerators as shrouds, ducts and handles, among other components.2 And, of course, the reborn parts all meet the strict high quality standards LG expects from all its components.
Restoring the health of our planet and protecting it for future generations requires continuous action and dedication on everyone’s part. One of the best ways to preserve the Earth’s resources and reduce our footprint is through creating a virtuous cycle where we recycle, reuse and repurpose what we already have. From eco-conscious manufacturing and product design to responsible recycling and waste management and development of sustainable technologies, LG continues its journey to ensure a better tomorrow.
Check out the full video on LG’s recycling efforts here.
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1 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Report “NEGLECTED: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution” (2021).
2 Recycled plastics may be applied differently depending on the components and products.
Engaging the Online Community Offline at Streamfest 2021
Live streaming has become a new method of entertainment and communication around the globe with the global live streaming audience expected to reach 728.8 million by the end of 2021. This trend is especially true in esports so earlier this month at Streamfest 2021, the country’s popular festival to celebrate streamer culture, LG hosted top streamers, esports athletes, musicians, TikTok bloggers, video content creators and graphic designers who came to demonstrate their talent, share their stories and engage the audience.
LG’s exhibit was divided into four zones focusing on specific user experiences. The main stage focused on LG UltraGear and LG XBOOM, products that delivered high quality images and sound for spectacular esports matches, educational presentations on responsible gaming, quizzes with prizes as well as live performances by musicians.
The gaming zone encouraged visitors to experience Xbox on LG OLED TVs, the ideal combination for next-generation gaming thanks to OLED’s fast response time and unbeatable picture quality. In this zone, visitors were also treated to an immersive VR experience thanks to the powerful processing power of LG’s OLED technology.
The third zone was set up for computer graphic artists to create art and animate virtual heroes in real time with help from the powerful LG UltraFine Ergo 4K UHD monitor. The success and popularity of a game today depends greatly on its design and the designers behind it and LG UltraFine was developed with this customer in mind. The Ergo concept brings together the three key elements of image fidelity, ergonomic design and USB-C One Cable solution in a monitor that delivers unbeatable performance, user comfort and cleaner desk setup at the home or the office.
VIP Lounge made up the fourth zone, a casual space where visitors could relax, live stream to their fans and interact with their audiences on LG UltraGear monitors and LG ProBeam projectors.
Based on the interest observed at Streamfest 2021, one would easily conclude that the growth and popularity of gaming and esports is limitless. LG’s commitment to innovating and developing cutting-edge products with gamers, streamers and viewers in mind is sure to endear Russians to LG for many years to come.
Contributed by LG Russia
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LG Takes Immersive Gaming Next-Level With New UltraGear Gaming Speaker
Designed With Gamers in Mind, LG’s Audio Solution Offers Optimized Sound,
Design and Features With Built-in Mics for Clear, Headset-Free Voice Chats
SEOUL, Aug. 30, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) announces its first-ever sound solution designed specifically for gamers for gaming. LG UltraGearTM Gaming Speaker (model GP9) is the perfect companion to LG’s premium UltraGearTM gaming monitors, able to take players deeper into the action with three-dimensional, game-optimized sound. LG GP9 offers easy control, seamless compatibility with PCs and the latest gaming consoles, with a stylish yet unobtrusive design to boot. The new speaker will be launching in key markets worldwide starting in South Korea and the United States as well as select markets in Europe starting from September.
LG UltraGear Gaming Speaker is a key component of LG’s strategy to expand its UltraGear ecosystem with new innovations that take the gaming experience to exhilarating new heights. With the rapid growth of the gaming industry, the need for premium gaming sound is rising as well. Leveraging its expertise in audio technology, LG’s first UltraGear sound solution product incorporated actual insights from real gamers throughout the development process. The result is a superb sounding product that frees users from headphones, a key component of the gaming experience that gamers identified as inconvenient and uncomfortable after marathon gaming sessions.
The ideal choice for anyone seeking to elevate their gaming setup and experience next-level immersion when playing the titles they love, the new speaker boasts LG’s proprietary 3D Gaming Sound technology which incorporates a specially-designed HRTF (head-related transfer function) algorithm to tailor a game’s audio according to genre. This results in users being able to experience stunningly detailed virtual surround sound complete with a realistic sense of space, position and directionality, all without a cumbersome headset.
Based on this innovative technology, the GP9 also features Game Genre Optimizer with two modes that can customize game audio to match what the user is playing. FPS Mode allows first-person shooter game fans to hear the smallest of details, allowing them to react even quicker to enemy stealthily closing in on their position. RTS Mode ramps up the realism with genuine spatial sound that can immerse players in their favorite real-time strategy (RTS), racing and all other games like never before. And thanks to support for DTS Headphone:X, LG UltraGear Gaming Speaker can provide convincing 7.1 virtual surround sound when using headsets or earphones.1
The GP9 is a one-of-a-kind “voice chat” gaming speaker that allows users to communicate with other players without the need for separate headsets or microphones. The built-in mics utilize LG’s unique echo-cancellation algorithm which can distinguish a user’s voice from game sounds and background noises. The advanced speaker can also perform the role of the discrete sound card many PC gamers prefer. Not only does it allow users to download professionally tuned EQ settings via a companion app, the speaker also lets users share custom sound settings for specific games with other gamers.
And because LG UltraGear Gaming Speaker is Hi-Res Audio certified, gamers only get first-class sound quality when playing their favorite titles. With higher sampling rates, Hi-Res Audio delivers a richer, more complete reproduction of original sound during gameplay. The impressive performance of the GP9 is taken to the next level by a built-in Hi-Fi Quad DAC (ES9038PRO), an advanced technology typically found only in high-end audio equipment.2 When connected to a PC, the speaker delivers the full benefit of its Hi-Fi Quad DAC – premium sound that makes every game feel far more real.
Every aspect of LG’s powerful yet space-saving speaker has been designed with gamers’ needs in mind. Its clean, all-in-one form factor is pleasing to the eye but won’t distract users when they’re battling it out for gaming supremacy. The GP9’s top-mounted control buttons make it easy to change microphone, volume and sound modes on the fly. It even comes with customizable RGB lighting that can display 16.8 million different colors to create a more immersive environment and enhance the overall gaming experience.
And with a variety of connectivity options including optical cable and USB-C, the versatile GP9 offers an easy way to connect to PCs and gaming consoles.3 Users can also opt to go wireless and connect to laptops, tablets or smartphones via Bluetooth to enjoy the speaker’s versatility and performance while listening to music or watching video content.
The UltraGear Gaming Speaker offers a unified, ultra-stylish aesthetic when paired with one of LG’s lightning-fast UltraGear gaming monitors as it’s designed to fit neatly between the legs of the monitor’s stand. But the GP9 was designed to pair well with any display, its “tactical” matte black finish and understated metallic elements looking great next to any device in any room.
The responsibly-manufactured speaker also highlights LG’s ongoing commitment to the environment, having received Eco-Product certification from SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA of Switzerland.4
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1 Compatible with standard 3.5mm audio jacks.
2 ESS Technology’s ES9038PRO chip (SABRE® PRO Flagship 32-bit HypersStream® II 8-ch Audio DAC) is a 32-bit Quad DAC featuring 132 dB DNR. It is designed for professional audio equipment and qualifies for the industry standard for High-Resolution Audio. With its multiple connectivity options, users can connect the speaker to other Hi-Fi devices via an AUX cable (connectivity via AUX cable may vary by Hi-Fi device).
3 Depending on connectivity terminals, some products or models may not be supported.
4 SGS Eco-Product certification based on several factors, including the use of recycled materials in product packaging. Ships in eco-conscious packaging featuring internal packing material made from recycled molded pulp, an environmentally preferable alternative to polystyrene foam and plastic.
Jackson Tisi’s Life’s Good Film Project Debuts
LG’s Cinematic Ode to the Possibilities of Life
Showcases the Vision of Tomorrow’s Creative Artists
SEOUL, Aug. 27, 2021 — The Life’s Good Film, helmed by the up-and-coming director Jackson Tisi with support from LG Electronics (LG), debuts today on LG’s YouTube channel. Woven together from videos submitted by hundreds of young filmmakers from around the world, the Tisi-produced work delivers a beautiful and touching meditation on life as interpreted by young creatives.
A key component of LG’s Life’s Good campaign which kicked off in May, the Life’s Good Film Project invited 531 young auteurs from 33 countries to share their creative submissions with Jackson. Using the best footage, Tisi produced a 20-minute story showcasing the world’s budding visual storytellers’ distinctive voices, fresh perspectives and undeniable talent. The project generated considerable interest online, garnering over 140 million impressions and more than 44 million total views of related posts on social media platforms during the production process.
“I wanted to share the emotions we all have and feel in life no matter what corner of the world we come from,” explained Tisi. “Empathy is the key to communication with one another, especially when we’re getting through tough days.” At previews earlier this month, Tisi’s short was praised for its uplifting message and Tisi’s unique vision.
“An exploration through many eyes around the world, Life’s Good, is a truly singular experiment,” said Diva Vélez of New York Film Critics Online. “The film demonstrates the beautiful differences of the human diaspora and our various environments, while also revealing how completely tied in soul and spirit we are and have further become due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
The 20-minute short explores different aspects of a good life in six chapters: Life’s Beautiful, Life’s Community, Life’s Lonely, Life’s In Motion, Life’s an Adventure and Life’s Good. The first five chapters visualize a wide range of subject matter, from the beauty of nature, the vitality of physical movement, personal growth nurtured in times of solitude to the togetherness and warmth of a close-knit community. The final chapter depicts today’s young generation united in celebration of life, eloquently bringing the film to a close.
Starting today, LG will also screen the trailer of Life’s Good Film on LG’s digital billboards in Times Square in New York City and Piccadilly Circus in London. The short will make an appearance at select film festivals as well in the weeks ahead. The Life’s Good Film is now available for viewing on the LG Global YouTube channel. Additional information on LG’s 2021 Life’s Good campaign can be found here on Instagram.
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LG’s Video Conferencing Platform Delivers Real-Time Cloud-Based Telemedicine Solution
LG’s Proprietary Platform Integrated with ezCaretech’s Application
Offers Healthcare Providers Fast, Accurate Patient Information
SEOUL, Aug. 25, 2021 — LG Electronics’ Video Conferencing Platform is being integrated with the new ezOntheCall telemedicine service to provide medical professionals with an advanced tool for remote delivery of outpatient support. Leveraging advanced cloud computing technology, ezOntheCall offers real-time access to medical records and clinical test results stored in hospital information systems (HIS) to enable healthcare professionals to quickly and easily retrieve the most up-to-date data on patients for immediate sharing over video calls.*
LG collaborated with healthcare technology provider, ezCaretech, to develop the telemedicine solution, adapting its Video Conferencing Platform to ensure a seamless user experience. Combining LG’s WebRTC-based Video Conferencing Platform with ezCaretech’s EMR-based telemedicine application, the solution enables medical center and hospital staff to handle administrative processes and update relevant records while communicating with patients remotely. ezOntheCall also covers outpatient services with a portal that allows patients to conveniently book follow-up appointments or consultations as well as get prescriptions refilled without having to visit their healthcare providers in person.
LG’s Video Conferencing Platform is designed to meet the growing demand of the healthcare sector for effective tools for non face-to-face diagnosis and medical consultation. Delivering high-quality audio and video, the platform works seamlessly within PC web browsers, mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT), allowing direct peer-to-peer communication without the need for additional plugins or apps.
Selected by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs (MNGHA), LG’s latest telemedicine solution is being implemented in six major hospitals throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh and approximately 70 primary healthcare centers, starting this month. Following this initial rollout, the solution will be available in the United States and other key markets later this year.
“The ezOntheCall telemedicine solution featuring LG’s Video Conferencing Platform will usher in a new era of remote patient services,” said Paik Ki-mun, senior vice president and head of the Information Display business unit of LG Electronics Business Solutions Company. “LG is focusing on the changing needs of the market and in partnership with key players across diverse sectors such as healthcare, we continue to invest heavily in the next generation of remote cloud-based service solutions.”
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* Meets requirements of the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
From Brand Trust to Consumer Desire
Through its unending quest to bringing about innovations that better people’s lives, LG has won over the hearts of consumers all around the world, especially in India where the brand has been loved for more than two decades. Such loyalty was confirmed by research group TRA when it named LG India’s Most Trusted Brand for washing machines, refrigerators and TVs in 2020. This year, LG was elated to learn that Indian consumers had elevated their opinion of LG, naming it India’s Most Desired Brand in the TV, washing machine and refrigerator categories.
The 7th edition of the Most Desired Brands 2021 Report was developed by TRA Research, a brand intelligence and data insights firm dedicated to understanding and analyzing stakeholder behavior. The report includes the opinions of more than 2,000 consumer-influencers across 16 Indian cities who were asked about their favorite brands. The top 1,000 brands were ranked using four foundations of desire: aspirational appeal, rational appeal, emotional appeal and communication appeal.
In India, where LG has been operating for 24 years, the achievement is confirmation of LG’s long-standing commitment to putting customers first with services and products that deliver unmatched performance, quality and style. For example, LG India extended insurance coverage with purchases of LG home appliances as part of its COVID-19 Health Insurance Consumer Promotion to provide up to INR 50,000 to COVID-19 patients and INR 20,000 to customers affected by vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. This effort was widely appreciated by Indian consumers during this critical time and reinforced LG’s reputation as a socially responsible and caring brand.
Another initiative that demonstrated LG’s commitment to Indians was its Life’s Good when we better it campaign featuring Bollywood movie star Kunal Kapoor. The film portrays’ India’s young creatives achieving their dreams and setting new benchmarks through advanced and smart technology most desired by this generation. And for tomorrow’s consumers, brands must be committed to running their businesses more sustainably and LG has been leading the market in e-waste management to ensure the responsible disposal of electronic wastes.
LG Electronics believes that the consumer experience is just as important as the products themselves when building brand trust and brand desire. This is why LG is more committed than ever to running its business responsibly, supporting local communities and continuing to innovate for better lives around the world, including India.
Contributed by LG India
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Creating Unforgettable Memories in the Metaverse
Adapting to a new lifestyle of working and learning from home, people are eager to experience new ways to feel more collaborative and connected. Recently, LG took this challenge to a whole new level by creating an entire virtual world for employees graduating from a professional training program.
For years LG Electronics and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have been partnering on a software certification program for LG employees. This year, with more than a hundred LG employees completing the program during the pandemic, LG invited employees and officials to a metaverse graduation ceremony.
Students were able to choose a personal avatar and interact with other avatars in the virtual world, participating in games and tours of LG headquarters and the CMU campus before the ceremony. At an event hall on the CMU campus, students’ avatars then received a certificate marking the completion of training. The festivities wrapped up with a party and virtual fireworks.
“Our first metaverse graduation ceremony provided an opportunity for employees who have completed software expertise training to share the joy of a job well done with one another,” said LG president and CTO I.P. Park.
To date, approximately 600 students have experienced the coursework with more than 1,000 professionals expected to graduate by 2023. Many graduates have taken on new roles in LG as AI specialists, software architects and software security specialists after completing the program. To further bolster its software expertise, LG is partnering with other globally renowned universities including New York University, University of Southern California, University of Toronto and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in addition to Carnegie Mellon University.
Matthew Bass, associate director at Carnegie Mellon University said, that this year’s graduates were “truly impressive… the teams worked incredibly hard and the results far exceeded our expectations when this project was initially put together.”
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LG Records 6G THz Band Milestone
Successfully Transfers Data Over 100 Meters on 6G THz Band,
Leads Development of 6G Communication Technology
SEOUL, Aug. 19, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) successfully demonstrated the transmission and reception of wireless 6G terahertz (THz) data over 100 meters in an outdoor setting. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest applied research lab, on August 13 with the data traveling between Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) and the Berlin Institute of Technology in Germany.
As 6G THz has short range and experiences power loss during transmission and reception between antennas, one of the biggest challenges in the evolution of wireless 6G has been the need of power amplification to generate a stable signal across ultra-wideband frequencies. The power amplifier developed by LG, Fraunhofer HHI and Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) was crucial to the success of this latest test.
The power amplifier is capable of generating stable signal output up to 15 dBm in the frequency range between 155 to 175 GHz. LG was also successful in demonstrating adaptive beamforming technology which alters the signal’s direction in accordance with changes to the channel and receiver position as well as high gain antenna switching which combines output signals of multiple power amplifiers and transmits them to specific antennas.
With global standardization targeted for 2025 and commercialization within four years thereafter, 6G networks will be able to support faster wireless transmission and communication speeds with low-latency and high-reliability. 6G will be a key component of Ambient Internet of Everything, the emerging technology that aims to improve living and business environments by making them more sensitive, adaptive, autonomous and personalized to consumers’ needs by recognizing human presence and preferences.
LG Electronics is leading the way in securing 6G core technologies through a number of early-mover initiatives. In 2019 LG established the LG-KAIST 6G Research Center in partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the country’s foremost research university. Earlier this year, LG and KAIST brought on board Keysight Technologies Inc., a global manufacturer of wireless telecommunication testing and measuring equipment, to take the collaboration to the next level. In June, LG was elected chair of the Applications Working Group of the Next G Alliance, the industry initiative of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to advance mobile technology leadership in 6G for the next decade and beyond in North America.
“The success of this test demonstrates that we are ever closer to the successful application of terahertz radio communication spectrum in the upcoming 6G era,” said Dr. I.P. Park, president and CTO of LG Electronics. “Our successful partnerships with local and global research institutions and organizations to advance the development of 6G capabilities have been very rewarding.”
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LG Electronics Launches Innovation Center to Accelerate New Business Creation
LG NOVA to Partner with Startups and Entrepreneurs to Innovate,
Improve Quality of Life
SEOUL and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 18, 2021 — LG Electronics has formed LG NOVA, its new Silicon Valley-based innovation center, tasked with creating a collaborative ecosystem to accelerate the growth of new ideas that embody LG’s innovation for a better life philosophy. Powered by the LG brand and resources, LG NOVA will partner with startup and entrepreneur communities to scale up ideas and concepts to its next stage of development, working with them to build new businesses.
LG NOVA will engage with innovators in North America and around the world who are creating accessible, socially impactful solutions that push the envelope of the technologically advanced lifestyle. The innovation center is focused on catalyzing solutions that improve accessibility, mobility, usability and connectivity – for home, work, school and life, as well as ideas and approaches for carbon reduction and renewable energy.
“Innovation can be sparked in many ways, and the best innovations happen through collaboration,” said Dr.Sokwoo Rhee, corporate senior vice president for innovation at LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA. “That’s why we created this philosophy of outside-in innovation, and that’s the guiding principle behind LG NOVA.”
William Cho, global chief strategy officer for LG Electronics, added, “LG has had a longstanding commitment to innovation for a better life, and LG NOVA is a testament to how we will help fuel and promote new ideas to build a better future and ultimately, better quality of life for all.”
The LG NOVA ecosystem serves as the median network to connect fresh ideas from startups to businesses. What’s more, its community focus helps foster cross-pollination of innovative thinking and conversations that can result in corporate collaborations, joint ventures and business initiatives between small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises.
With a world-class team of experienced leaders, industry veterans, former White House Presidential Innovation Fellows, entrepreneurs-in-residences, and leading challenge and innovation program executives, LG NOVA offers startups and innovators opportunities for mentorship and resources to help them achieve optimal growth. LG NOVA’s innovation-growth approach combines strategic partnerships, incubation, investment and industry collaborations to create a strong network to support founders, startups and entrepreneurs.
Learn more about LG NOVA at www.lgnova.com.
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Navigating the Future of Connected Living
Navigating the Future of Connected Living
It’s no longer news to say that innovations and advances in technology can have a profound change on lifestyles. While smart homes and smart products have clearly been embraced by mainstream consumers, what hasn’t been clear is what benefits users are actually getting in return for their investments. With this in mind, LG dug deeper into how homes of the new age are transforming everyday lives. By gathering the opinions of 857 U.S. smart homeowners, the LG ThinQ 2021 Smart Home Report reveals just how smart homes can be a win for everyone.
No Need For An Advanced Degree
Contrary to what many might think, less tech-savvy users are actually more satisfied with their smart homes with twice as many users between the ages of 50 and 54 (60 percent) responding that they were “very satisfied” compared to participants in the 25-29 age group. Satisfaction was higher for older homeowners as they spend more time at home with their families compared to other age groups, affording them more time to fully enjoy the benefits of their smart homes. The fact that smart homes provide adaptable, easy-to-use solutions was an added plus. Smart homes can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of tech fluency or age and they can play an important role in narrowing the digital divide.
Flexible Homes Adapt To Unique Lifestyles
While smart homes are designed to be universally beneficial, those benefits have the advantage of being unique to every individual. The survey revealed how smart spaces are providing flexible solutions that adapt to distinctive lifestyles based on users’ key values, interests and hobbies. For example, when it comes to leisure time, survey respondents with a passion for gardening named the remote control/voice command function of their smart TVs, refrigerators and washing machines among their top three most utilized features as they allow users to communicate with their products even when they’re busy in the garden.
Paving A Smart Way For Sustainable Living
Today’s smart homes are setting a new benchmark for environmentally-friendly living. Among the long list of smart home benefits, saving energy was mentioned most frequently by respondents. Through energy optimization features found in the latest connected products, smart homes help users achieve a more sustainable way of life while protecting consumers from hefty energy bills.
The LG ThinQ Smart Home Report presents an interesting look at how consumers’ lifestyles may change in the years ahead, a blueprint for those interested in incorporating smart technologies in their everyday lives. Click here for the full report.
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Going the Extra Mile for Customer Service
As anyone who has dealt with customer can attest, good service is one of the most important factors that determines customer satisfaction and loyalty, and a key component of a brand’s reputation especially in the last mile of a customer’s journey. But ensuring that existing customers are well taken care of is easier said than done, given the pressure to bring in new customers in today’s uber competitive world.
With this challenge in mind, LG in East Africa in partnership with Opalnet, its authorized local distributor, kicked off an enhanced customer service initiative to give customers a memorable experience from the point of sale until their next purchase of an LG product. The Last Mile program was developed to deliver high quality support to customers and enhance their after-sales experience through LG’s service centers in key towns across the region.
As part of the initiative, all products are delivered at no extra cost to customers, with free installation when applicable along with personal demonstrations of advanced features such as LG ThinQ. All customers are eligible for a 7-day trial program on all purchases along with support via a toll-free line, video call or in-home visit within 24 hours by qualified service technicians. Core components of home appliances are covered by LG’s generous 10-year warranty and for products no longer under warranty, affordable repair service and discounts on new product are offered.
To reach out to more customers who may not live a convenient distance from existing service centers, an additional 16 trucks and 3 motorbikes are employed to provide mobile service across the East African region. In Tanzania, more than 20 refurbishing shops will assist customers who are interested in repairing their own products that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
Throughout the customer’s entire journey, LG in Kenya is committed to providing the best experience possible with personalized customer care until the very last mile.
Contributed by LG Kenya
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LG OLED Recognized for Decade of TV Innovation at 2021 EISA Awards
LG’s Innovative Home Entertainment Solutions Honored
Once Again by the World’s Foremost Experts in Consumer Electronics
SEOUL, Aug. 16, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) has added to its impressive record of success at the EISA Awards, with five of its home entertainment innovations earning accolades for the 2021-2022 award season. Held annually by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association, the world’s largest consumer electronics editorial organization, the EISA Awards honored the following LG products for their outstanding performance and superior design: LG OLED TVs (models OLED65G1, OLED48C1), LG QNED Mini LED TV (model 75QNED99), LG Eclair Soundbar (model QP5) and LG TONE Free True Wireless Stereo (model FP8) earbuds.
LG’s 65-inch G1 OLED TV being named EISA BEST PREMIUM OLED TV 2021-2022, marks the 10th consecutive year of accolades for LG OLED TV. LG 65G1 sets a new standard for picture quality and next-gen viewing experience with its ultra-bright OLED evo panel and powerful α (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI processor. Described as “a thrilling statement” by EISA judges, LG’s TV boasts support for both Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, future-proofed HDMI connectivity and a wide range of smart features.
LG’s 48-inch C1 OLED TV earned EISA’s first-ever BEST GAMING TV award. Featuring LG’s own OLED panel and video-processing technologies with support for Dolby Vision HDR across all four of its HDMI inputs, the versatile 48-inch 4K 120Hz screen size is ideal for both living rooms and gaming dens. What’s more, LG’s Game Optimizer and Game Dashboard features delivers genre-specific presets and customizable display settings as well as variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM) for tear-free visuals and responsive control.
This year’s EISA 8K TV honor went to LG QNED Mini LED TV, which delivers greater details and more accurate colors with its combination Quantum Dot NanoCell color technology and mini LED backlight compared to conventional LCD TVs. LG’s Quantum Dot NanoCell panel offers enhanced brightness, deeper blacks and brilliant hues, its advanced backlight with unique dimming zones delivering precision illumination for an ultra-high contrast ratio.
In the soundbar category, LG Eclair brought home a win for EISA SOUNDBAR INNOVATION. LG’s most compact soundbar to date, the distinctive LG Eclair is especially suitable for smaller spaces, its chic, rounded design encased in a stylish fabric enclosure blending in with any decor. This small but powerful unit features a wireless subwoofer with twin 5.25-inch drivers and bipolar configuration that minimizes vibrations so users can enjoy satisfying audio performance with deep, rich bass without upsetting the neighbors.
A first for LG in the EISA IN-EAR HEADPHONES category, LG TONE Free earbuds earned a win for outstanding sound with advanced features not found in any other TWS product. Boasting LG’s new 3D Sound Stage technology, LG FP8 creates an authentic sense of space, aided by larger drivers and diaphragms for solid, distortion-free bass. For peace of mind, LG’s UVnano case with UV-C LED eliminates germs and bacteria from the eartips while recharging (wired or wirelessly). Its 10-hour battery life between charges, fast charging and IPX4 rating all contribute to excellent on-the-go convenience while LG’s ergonomic Arc Design ensures a perfect fit for an active lifestyle.
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