Recognizing Effective Communication Honoring Today's Heroes

Recognizing Effective Communication Honoring Today’s Heroes

The LG Local Legends program being announced as winner of the Diamond SABRE Award for Superior Achievement in Reputation Management.

In the connected era, it could be said that we are living in the “age of relationships” in which creating, nurturing and leveraging relationships with our acquaintances, followers, customers, etc. is the thing that separates success from failure. While this might not be a unanimous belief, one thing everyone can agree on is that good communication isn’t something that happens naturally, it must be nurtured and honed.

For companies and brands, how they communicate their messages is just as important as what they communicate. So it was especially gratifying to learn that LG’s team in Australia was recognized with one of Asia’s most prestigious industry communications awards for its LG Local Legends program. The program, which helps recognize and reward community groups in Australia, was honored with the Diamond SABRE Award for Superior Achievement in Reputation Management for building stronger stakeholder relationships and contribute to corporate performance.

More than 500 volunteer organizations and individuals have been celebrated as part of the LG Local Legends in the past 12 months. The program was launched at a time when charities and community service organizations were in critical need of support, with many finding it difficult to secure resources, manpower and critical funding. LG Local Legends helps elevate the profile of these community groups around the country through media, social media and online channels.

The SABRE Awards celebrate engagement, credibility and relationship building among individuals and organizations across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Asia, Africa and Latin America. More than 1,200 entries from across the Asia Pacific region were received and judged by an expert panel of nearly 100 senior industry professionals.

“The LG Local Legends program shows that even in these difficult times individuals and groups can rise above these hardships to selflessly make the lives of others better,” said Louise Annetts, corporate marketing manager at LG Electronics Australia. “It has been a pleasure to help recognize the incredible efforts of those in our communities, as well as receive broader recognition of the program at this year’s SABRE Awards. We are looking forward to celebrating more deserving Australians in 2021.”

LG Local Legends was also recognized with a certificate of excellence in the Best in Real-Time Engagement category, whilst a recent LG SIGNATURE launch was also shortlisted at the awards in the best Home and Furniture category.

To learn more about the LG Local Legends program visit www.lglifesgood.com.au.

Contributed by LG Australia

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The Right Gear for Victory

Two UltraGear monitors showing back and the front

From heart rate monitors in smartwatches to accelerometers and gyroscopes for measuring an athlete’s movement or swing, technology takes sports to a whole new level of precision. In the world of esports, advanced tech isn’t just something that’s good to have, it’s a necessity. And in this world, LG UltraGear hardware has developed a reputation as the best gear for victory.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the gaming PC and monitor market expanded rapidly in 2020, reaching 55 million units sold for a year-on-year increase of 26.8 percent. And with more people than ever working and playing from home, demand for better PC hardware experienced huge growth with sales of LG’s gaming monitors more than tripling between 2019 and 2020.

Let’s take a look at what sets LG UltraGear gaming monitors apart from the rest.

Compared to other panel technologies such as Twisted Nematic (TN) or Vertical Alignment (VA), LG’s In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel provides a wider viewing angle with minimal color distortion as well as a wide color gamut with excellent contrast. LG was the first to introduce an IPS monitor with one millisecond Gray-to-Gray (GTG) response time, a significant advantage over the 20-30 milliseconds of regular monitors. One millisecond means fewer distracting visual effects such as ghosting for a smoother, faster gaming experience. And with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, ultra-high screen resolution and exceptionally lifelike picture quality, it’s easy to see why LG UltraGear has become an esport favorite.

Currently there are 19 models in the UltraGear monitor lineup including a new 32-inch (model 32GP850) featuring the advanced Nano IPS display technology. Later this year, LG will debut the industry’s first 34-inch monitor with NVIDIA G-SYNC^® ULTIMATE built-in for the highest level of compatibility with NVIDIA graphics cards.

LG makes a great effort to understand what gaming fans really want. One way is through the UltraGear Advisory Board, an online community of approximately 200 gamers from around the world managed by LG. Members of the board have a voice in developing new products, advising on both technical as well as design aspects.

And LG UltraGear gaming monitors are not only the ideal choice for a home gaming setup, it’s a brand in high demand by professionals who game for a living. LG is currently partnering with Gen.G Esports, one of the top esports organizations, to support their League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) team. Using LG UltraGear monitors, the team is already leading this year’s competition.

Built for a better gaming experience to deliver an edge over the competition, LG’s UltraGear gaming monitors have been the preferred gear for many gamers since its launch in 2018. So whether you’re a pro gamer or just a casual player, LG UltraGear can provide the right gear for the job to make the difference between victory and defeat.

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[On the Job] 6G: Hype or Hope?

A city skyline at night with buildings connected with blue light to depict telecommunication technology.

In this segment of On the Job, we take a look at the development of 6G technology, its challenges and its promises.

Estimated to be 50 times faster than 5G, 6G is expected to transform the communication spectrum. But isn’t this what the industry predicted for 5G? How much of this is true and how much of this is just wishful? With the help of someone in the know, let’s take a look at what 6G promises for the future.

Recently, LG announced a breakthrough in 6^th generation mobile telecommunication development by successfully demonstrating the transmission and reception of wireless 6G THz data over 100 meters in an outdoor setting. 6G uses terahertz frequencies which refer to the spectrum between 0.1 to 10 THz electromagnetic wave with wavelengths of 30 to 3000 micrometers. THz signals are very sensitive to shadows which significantly impact coverage. Furthermore, lower frequency terahertz experiences larger free space fading. While only a test, the LG demonstration was a meaningful achievement and milestone in the evolution of 6G.

According to Dr. Lee Ki-dong, principal research engineer at LG Electronics, 6G technology will play a key role for promising future industries including autonomous vehicles, AI robots and virtual and augmented reality-based technologies. As a leader in 6G development, Dr. Lee has more than two decades of experience in the research and standardization of wireless communication systems and is an expert in C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle to Everything), a key technology for autonomous vehicles and service robots that connect to networks. Earlier this year, Dr. Lee was elected chairperson of the Applications Working Group of the Next G Alliance, an initiative of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to advance the development and standardization of 6G.

LG is in a unique position to establish global leadership in 6G, with a world-class portfolio and experience in 5G, where it ranked second globally as of June with more than 4,000 5G standard essential patents, according to German patent research firm IPlytics. For LG, 6G is a key component of its focus on mobility, autonomous vehicles and cloud-based service robots. A pioneer in C-V2X innovations, LG has been an industry leader in the fast-growing telematics market for nearly a decade and is leading the way in establishing global standards for this technology.

Dr. Lee envisions a new era of fully autonomous ground and aerial vehicles at the end of this decade, potentially paving the way for wider commercialization of AI service robots as a solution to the imbalance of resource allocation. Healthcare delivery, for example, is expected to reach a critical point with demand for workers expected to far exceed supply. Remote or local medical robotics service utilizing networked robots could improve the quality of healthcare delivery and help save lives.

With aging populations in many countries, the old-age dependency ratio (OADR) is expected to rise significantly in the next three decades. According to the UN’s World Population Ageing report, OADRs were highest in Europe and North America with 30 persons aged 65 or older per 100 persons aged 20-64 years and projected to reach 49 elderly per 100 under 65 years of age in 2050. In this scenario, service robots can play a key role in our future society that requires more labor resources to support the aging population.

“What self-driving cars and remote surgery have in common is the need for connectivity that 5G cannot readily support but which ultra-responsive and extremely low-latency 6G can. But while the technology will be ready, it’s also critically important for governments to be on board as well and that requires the right regulations which is why LG’s involvement in Next G Alliance is so important.”

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Dynamic 3D Campaign Lights Up New York’s Times Square

The Life's Good Campaign video playing on LG’s gigantic display in Times Square, New York City.

LG’s massive ultra-high-definition digital billboard overlooking New York City’s iconic Times Square became host to a three-phase visual spectacle that reflects the company’s efforts to engage with consumers directly around the seasons. LG’s first 3D content series designed for the billboard is a stunning visual display sure to make passersby smile. The new billboard content will run through the end of November.

Taking full advantage of the Times Square billboard’s unique curved design, LG harnesses the power of forced perspective to display imaginative multi-dimensional 3D content which share the company’s core messaging that together, Life’s Good. Launching with an inspiring back-to-school message for the American audience, the 3D illusion begins with an explosion of crayons and swirling images from scissors to school buses, dancing around the screen, eventually spelling out LIFE’S GOOD before being buried by a multitude of crayons as the animation continues its loop.

Over the past year LG has mobilized the Times Square billboard to engage, educate, and entertain consumers during the pandemic. From hosting the YouTube documentary “Life In A Day 2020” by Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald to premiering the “Global Citizen VAX LIVE Extended Concert Sponsored by YouTube,” to encouraging climate action on ENERGY STAR^® Day, LG has leveraged the space in Times Square to remind viewers that Life’s Good no matter how challenging our surroundings may be.

“We hope that visitors in Times Square are not only awed by the visual splendor of the 3D display, but also that they will be inspired to believe that no matter the season, Life’s Good together,” said Peggy Ang, senior vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA. “At the same time, our new 3D content series exemplifies how LG is innovating when it comes to engaging with consumers.”

Contributed by LG USA

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[On the Job] Service Robots Take On New Relevance in Era of Social Distancing

LG’s four-wheeled indoor-outdoor delivery robot in front of the LG Electronics building.

In this segment of On the Job, we take a look at the experts behind LG’s robotics team who are working on the next big idea to help make people’s lives and jobs safer and easier.

Dr. Baek Seung-min

The pandemic has brought a new urgency to finding solutions to handle tasks that normally require human-to-human contact. In fact, the International Federation of Robotics is reporting that sales of autonomous service robots in the logistics sector will increase by 30 percent annually from 2020 to 2023. To accelerate advanced research into service robots and boost LG’s competitiveness in related technologies, LG established the LG Boston Robotics Lab in United States last year.

LG’s family of CLOi service robots including GuideBot, ServeBot, ChefBot and UV robot are ideal for providing a safer environment through contactless service in public spaces such as shopping malls, restaurants and hotels. Consumers who might normally be hesitant to interact with another human are more comfortable receiving help from a robot that doesn’t breathe.

When developing robots, one of LG’s key goals is to develop a product that can make life easier for consumers. “Service robots can help humans handle difficult, arduous tasks, freeing up consumers’ time to focus on more valuable tasks that matter and bringing increased convenience and comfort into our lives,” said Dr. Baek Seung-min, head of the Advanced Robotics Lab at LG Electronics.

To respond to the domestic growth of home shopping, LG developed and unveiled an indoor-outdoor service delivery robot at the 18th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots in Korea. LG’s four-wheeled indoor-outdoor delivery robot boasts enhanced mobility, adapting to various types of terrain by automatically adjusting the distance between its wheels and driving modes for optimal performance, ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

The challenges in developing a service robot for commercialization in diverse environments are vast. For example, to move reliably at high speeds in real-life settings on all types of surfaces while avoiding various obstacles is no easy task. Curbs, for example, might be a minor inconvenience to people but can be quite difficult to overcome for a wheeled robot. Engineers conducted real-world tests with different variables from adjusting tire air pressure to changing thread patterns on the front and rear wheels, among others. Omni-wheels provided the best performance on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, enabling the robot to move both forward and backward as well as side to side.

“We expect to test-operate the delivery robot by the end of the year,” said Dr. Baek Seung-min. “When it reaches the stage of commercialization, we expect the robot to open the next chapter of logistics innovation.”

Akin to how computers and automobiles were implemented in industry and commerce before they made their way to consumers, service robots are following a similar path. Already widely found in industries, service robots are now entering the commercial phase. When consumers will be able to purchase a delivery robot of their own is still unknown but if LG has anything to say about it, it won’t be too far away.

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LG Sets Goal to Utilize More Than Half Million Tonnes of Recycled Plastic

A view overlooking the LG Chilseo Recycling Center.

Use of Plastics Made From Post-Consumer Recycled Materials to Increase Tenfold by 2025

SEOUL, Sep. 9, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) today announced its goal to use almost 600,000 tonnes of recycled plastic by 2030 in a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain. The goal is a part of LG’s larger initiative to create a take-back ecosystem for electronic waste and increase the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in its consumer electronics and home appliance products.

In 2020, LG utilized approximately 20,000 tonnes of recycled plastic in its products which it plans to increase more than tenfold by 2025. While recycled plastic is currently used inside LG TVs, PC monitors, speakers, washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners, LG will expand the use of recycled plastic to the exterior of its products as well. In addition to utilizing more recycled plastic, LG is reducing the use of virgin plastic throughout its operations as well. This year, 18 OLED TV models will be produced using less virgin plastic, an increase from 14 models in 2020, for a reduction of up to 10,000 tonnes of plastic.

LG is also increasing the target amount of take-back electronic waste from its 2006 figure of 4.5 million tonnes to over 8 million tonnes by 2030 with 3.07 million tonnes having been collected by the end of 2020. Also, LG is implementing initiatives to take back and recycle electronic waste in 52 countries. In South Korea, LG Chilseo Recycling Center, which opened in 2001, not only takes back electronic waste but also manufactures new components from the recycled plastic and ships the parts to LG’s home appliance plant nearby for use in new products such as refrigerators.

LG is focusing its efforts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire product life cycle from production and transportation to use and disposal. As a key component of its sustainable management goals, LG’s parent company entered into an agreement with the Korean Ministry of Environment and local civic groups in June to implement plastic-free management at its main R&D campus, LG Sciencepark.

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LG Recognized as International Accreditation Body for Automotive Software Testing

First in Korea Certified to Test Functional Safety of Software for Autonomous Vehicles

SEOUL, Sep. 8, 2021 — LG Electronics’ (LG) Software Testing Center has officially been recognized as an ISO 26262-certified lab to conduct functional safety tests on software designed for autonomous vehicles. As South Korea’s first facility certified to test such software, the results issued by LG’s Software Testing Center will have international credibility in over 70 countries and regions, including the United States, Europe and Japan.*

ISO 26262 is an international standard for the functional safety of electrical and electronic systems found in production road vehicles, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). One measurement of ISO 26262 determines the probability of accidents caused by errors in automotive software or development processes, a critical factor in the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. Certification allows LG to not only test the functional safety of software written for self-driving vehicles but all automotive software systems and AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture (AUTOSAR) that fall under the ISO 26262 standard without the involvement of external agencies.

The accreditation was issued by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS), an internationally recognized agency charged with the establishment of national standard systems and operation of industrial standardizations in matters related to safety and quality. LG’s Software Testing Center was previously recognized by KOLAS as an internationally accredited testing institution in software quality measurement (ISO/IEC 25023) and industrial functional safety (IED 61508-3) of electronic products and technologies including smart appliances, TVs, robots, AI, cloud and energy.

“LG Electronics is extremely proud to be entrusted with the world’s best functional safety verification capability for automotive software,” said Dr. I.P. Park, president and CTO of LG Electronics. “With this recognition, LG will be able to provide even better products and services that customers can trust to deliver the most reliable software possible.”

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* According to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Agreement (ILAC MRA).

LG XBOOM 360 Delivers Premium Sound with Stylish Design Anyplace, Anytime

A woman carrying LG XBOOM 360 into the backyard for a party held during the night

Omnidirectional, High Quality Sound and Refined Design Make LG’s
Newest Versatile XBOOM Speaker Perfect for Both Indoor and Outdoor Use

SEOUL, Sep. 7, 2021 — The new LG XBOOM 360 speaker (model RP4) from LG Electronics (LG) features a conical-cylindrical design and delivers authentic, omnidirectional audio that is perfect for any space or occasion. Pleasing to the eye, the speaker’s unique form factor enables LG XBOOM 360 to radiate sound in all directions for a lifelike performance with impressive power and clarity. Ideal for today’s lifestyle focused on small social gatherings, this stylish speaker will make its debut in key markets starting this month.

The attractive conical-cylindrical shape of LG XBOOM 360 isn’t just pleasing to the eye, its function is to accommodate the distortion-free reflector structure of the speaker. Typically only found in high-end audio products, the reflector structure of the tweeter and woofer is designed to deliver 360-degree sound with minimal distortion. So whether indoors or out, XBOOM 360 envelops listeners in rich, detailed audio, bringing a sense of three-dimensional vitality to every genre of music.

The premium build quality of the tweeter and woofer also helps to create a convincing and exceptionally well-balanced soundstage. The tweeter’s titanium diaphragm creates a linear frequency for superb performance and accurate reproduction across the high frequency range. Moreover, the speaker’s durable glass fiber woofer generates dynamic bass with a clear, natural mid-range response. The combination of powerful drivers and robust 120W output enables LG XBOOM 360 to turn any room or space into a listening sweet spot.

LG’s newest wireless speaker is designed to provide versatility and the multisensory experience today’s consumers demand. LG XBOOM 360 can create the right atmosphere for any occasion thanks to 360-degree mood lighting with three different presets – Ambient, Nature and Party – as well as a range of customizable lighting options and sound effects when used with the companion app. In the app, users will also find the crowd pleasing DJ Effect feature which allows for the mixing of multiple samples as well as scratching and other sounds effects. The speaker offers 10 hours of listening enjoyment on a single charge, includes a built-in metal handle for easy mobility, and has a chic, highly-durable fabric cover (available in Beige, Burgundy, Charcoal Black and Peacock Green) that brings instant warmth and style to any setting.¹

Most importantly, XBOOM 360 demonstrates LG’s continuing commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. Fabricated partially from recycled plastic and other post-consumer materials, the eco-conscious speaker has received Eco-Product certification from SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA of Switzerland, Environmental Claim Validation from Underwriters Laboratories and Global Recycled Standard recognition from Control Union Certifications.²

Specifications:

Design & Colors
Size	250 x 514 x 250mm (W x H x D)
Power	120W RMS (when connected to power source)
Speaker	Authentic Omnidirectional Sound Glass Fiber Woofer 5.25-inch x 1 Titanium Horn Tweeter 1.0-inch x 1
Other Features	Mood Lighting (Ambient / Nature / Party) DJ Effect (app required) Wireless Party Link (two speakers connected wirelessly)
Portability	Up to 10 hours battery life (29Wh) between charges Carrying Handle
Connectivity	Bluetooth / USB 2.0 / Aux

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¹Color options and availability vary by market.
²SGS Eco-Product certification is based on four major environmental criteria covering resource efficiency, usage of hazardous substances, energy savings and recyclability measured over a product’s lifespan. UL’s Environmental Claim Validation requires the eco-conscious attributes of a product match the claims made by the manufacturer. Model RP4 contains recycled post-consumer polyester.

Rediscovering Good

A dad can't help but smile at his son and dog who are both covered in mud.

From flash floods, ravaging bushfires and the global pandemic, the world as we know is changing. While finding a sense of joy and hope in these times can seem insurmountable, LG Electronics in Australia is hoping Aussies can find something to smile about with its campaign, Rediscover Good, which aims to inspire viewers to rediscover the good in everyday life because “life’s full of good when you look for it.”

Launched as a series of television commercials and rolling out in Australia now, the campaign sets out to reframe the small moments in everyday life. The first TV spot explores a family with two school-aged children enjoying a simple, yet hectic, weekend family breakfast before racing to their child’s soccer game. The family is shown interacting with various LG products such as InstaView^® Door-in-Door^® refrigerator and QuadWash™ dishwasher, showing how their lives are just a little bit easier with LG technology.

The same family appears in the second TV commercial, with the focus on the son and the family pet getting into many fun messes throughout the day. However, thanks to the LG WashTower™ single-unit laundry solution which ensures clothes, duvets and dolls are fresh and clean in no time, the mess these two created are soon just a memory.

The third TV commercial features Millennial friends coming together for a fun-filled movie night at a home where LG products are featured through tiny moments. From gaming on the LG OLED Evo TV and blaring music on the XBOOM Go portable speaker while tidying up with the LG CordZero cordless vacuum to making popcorn in the NeoChef™ microwave, the 30-second clip demonstrates how LG products offer ease and convenience, allowing consumers to focus on rediscovering the good.

These stories bring today’s local culture to life and connect with consumers in a fun, personal and creative way. As part of the campaign, Life’s Good care packages filled with an array of wonderful items such as blueberry pancakes, teddy bears, knitted throws and cookbooks that could be enjoyed while social distancing were sent to fans and partners of LG in Australia.

The Rediscover Good campaign, whilst weaving in everyday moments to create an engaging visual display, reminds us all to take a step back and truly celebrate the joy and appreciate the good found in the everyday, a much needed reminder for not only Australians but everyone around the world.

Contributed by LG Australia

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Spreading a Message of Hope With Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth and four winners are performing.

LG and music have always had a special relationship. Millions around the world are familiar with the Life’s Good song from TV commercials or ringtones. But music, like fashion, changes with the times. So when the decision was made to update the song for the 21^st century, there was no question that young artists needed to be part of that process.

But who best to lead that effort?

At only 29 years old, Charlie Puth is the perfect representative and leader of the Life’s Good Music Project. As one of the music industry’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators, Puth has already amassed eight multi-platinum singles, four GRAMMY nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination. His 2018 GRAMMY-nominated LP, Voicenotes, was RIAA Certified Gold only four days after its release and he has logged over 5.6 billion streams worldwide.

With Puth on board, the Life’s Good Music Project was born to give aspiring musical talent around the globe the opportunity to share their unique voices with the world. Launched in May, the project received more than a thousand entries representing 36 nations over a one month period. LG’s collaborative initiative also struck a chord with audiences worldwide, with related posts on social media garnering more than 68 million total views.

The four winners, selected by Puth himself, collaborated on the song after initial introductions over a video call. Puth and the four young Music Project winners started working together on their melodic message of hope and positivity. Guided by Puth’s creative vision, each member of the talented team shines on the final recording, contributing to a heartfelt harmony that inspires gratitude for what we have today, and joy and optimism for what the future holds.

“As the song’s lyrics go, ‘sometimes you’ve just got to pick yourself back up’,” said Sade Whittier of Long Island, New York, one of the winners. “Taking part in LG’s project, I learned that anything’s achievable if you keep going, and I hope the young dreamers out there will think so too when they listen to the final song.”

“Meeting and collaborating with artists from around the world was an amazing experience and I was so impressed with all of their talent,” remarked Puth. “The song we created together is really wonderful and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

The Life’s Good Song and its timely message of hopefulness will also be coming to TikTok starting September 6 to encourage more participation in the positive movement. Fans can take part by posting a video of themselves dancing along to the catchy, new track and using the hashtag #LifeisGoodMusic_LG. The Life’s Good Song and performance video is now available to enjoy on LG’s Global YouTube channel and Instagram.

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LG Takes Immersive Gaming Next-Level With New UltraGear Gaming Speaker

LG Announces Global Startup Competition to Recruit New Businesses for Innovation Center

A screenshot of the LG NOVA Global Challenge website's homepage.

‘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

A girl in a red dress running through a field with the phrase "Care for our planet and a better tomorrow" overlapping.

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

A participant of 2021 Streamfest trying VR on LG OLED TV in LG's OLED TV zone.

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 UltraGear^TM Gaming Speaker (model GP9) is the perfect companion to LG’s premium UltraGear^TM 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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¹Compatible 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.
⁴SGS 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.

LG Newsroom