LG started trialing its prototype cleaning and guide robots at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport on Friday
LG started trialing cleaning and guide robots at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport on Friday, believing that the robots will have various commercial applications and offer ample business opportunities. The Korean firm is deploying two prototype robots at the airport: the Airport Guide Robot and the Airport Cleaning Robot.
LG’s Guide Robot is capable of guiding people and is well-versed in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. These robots are linked to the airport’s server and can perform functions like telling flight schedules and answering various other questions that visitors commonly ask. Further, the screen on the robot will show a map of the airport and can also help guide the visitor to their departure door.
The Airport Cleaning Robot, as the name suggests, will assist in keeping the airport clean. Since the robot has been fed a map of the airport, it can choose the best route for cleaning. Further, it can easily make its way through obstacles and is fitted with autonomous driving technology to suit the airport’s environment.
“LG is dedicated to the development of robot technologies incorporating navigation skills, voice recognition, and natural language processing, ” said Song Dae-hyun – president of LG’s home appliance and air Solutions Company.
LG entered into a deal with the airport in July 2016, and since then, it has been conducting various tests to build better robots which can survive any unexpected situation and drive past obstacles. LG has currently deployed five Cleaning Robots and five Guide Robots for testing. According to the company, Incheon Airport itself asked LG to introduce the robots as part of its smart airport service projects, notes Korea Times. Further, the company said that it can be used as an opportunity to showcase its robotics business to the 57 million people who come to the airport every year.
Since the start of the year, LG has been making efforts to expand its robotics business to tap into new growth engines. For now, the company is conducting research in two areas – household and commercial purposes. LG showcased its first robot vacuums in South Korea in 2003, and since then, the company has made significant efforts in developing various technologies, such as its artificial intelligence platform Deep ThinQ, notes The Korea Herald. According to an independent study, LG Electronics’ latest Roboking Turbo Plus vacuum cleaner is as intelligent as a six- or seven-year-old child in terms of deciding how to handle obstacles and cleaning.
At CES 2017, LG also showcased its Hub Robot, which uses Amazon’s Alexa voice recognition and natural processing technologies to connect with other smart appliances at home. The Hub Robot can perform various household tasks such as starting it air conditioner or changing a dryer cycle through commands.
LG also unveiled its Lawn Mowing Robot at the event. This robot is claimed to be “able to trim grass accurately, reliably and most of all, safely.” The Lawn Mowing Robot can identify its own location and the location of every obstacle around, such as trees and hedges.
