LG’s CLOi SubBot robots can hold up to 32 medium-sized (approximately 350 ml) cups of coffee in four drawers. The interior of the compartment is equipped with antibacterial materials and a deodorizing ventilation fan for hygiene. (Image courtesy of LG Elecs)
SEOUL, Apr. 22 (Korea Bizwire) –LG Electronics and the Kakao Mobility are teaming up to deploy fleets of autonomous delivery robots across South Korea, targeting large office buildings, hotels, apartments and hospitals starting this month.
The partnership will integrate LG’s AI-powered CLOi self-driving delivery robots with Kakao Mobility’s “BRING” robot delivery service. On April 25, the companies will unveil the integrated robot courier system at an event in Seoul’s Seongsu neighborhood before expanding the business-to-business offering nationwide.
Under the collaboration, LG will supply its dual-door CLOi SubBot robots and monitoring solutions to track delivery status and robots’ operational health.
Kakao Mobility will incorporate the machines into its existing BRING open platform, which harnesses artificial intelligence for optimal dispatching and demand forecasting.
When customers place orders via the BRING app at restaurants or stores within a building, staff will load items into the robot’s compartments. The SubBot can then summon elevators, pass through automatic doors and deliver simultaneously to up to four locations on a single trip — all without human assistance.
LG’s dual-door SubBot model features four separate compartments capable of carrying up to 30 kilograms of goods.
Its interior was designed with antimicrobial material and deodorizing vents to ensure hygienic delivery of items like food or coffee, and can accommodate up to 32 regular size cups.
LG’s CLOi SubBot robot calls an elevator on its own to take it to its destination.
The robots are equipped with six wheels, independent suspension for stable indoor mobility and security locks. A 10.1-inch front display allows for moving digital advertisements.
The CLOi SubBot has already won major design awards this year, including Red Dot and iF Design Awards.
The recent announcement builds on a 2022 partnership between the two companies to commercialize AI robot delivery services by combining their technological expertise.
Kakao Mobility’s BRING-ON open API platform incorporates the company’s AI capabilities for mobility services like optimized dispatching and demand forecasting.
By automating the sorting and optimal assignment of complex delivery orders, it minimizes human intervention while maximizing efficiency.
For LG Electronics, the collaboration advances its ambitions in the commercial robotics arena — one of the new growth businesses designated under its 2030 vision. The electronics giant recently invested $60 million in Bear Robotics, a tech start-up specializing in AI-powered service robots.
Drawing on decades of solutions experience in robotics, LG aims to provide comprehensive “total solutions” that extend beyond supplying autonomous machines to encompass full integration across the logistics chain — including last-mile delivery direct to end consumers.
The global autonomous last-mile delivery market is projected to swell from around $900 million last year to $4.2 billion by 2030, representing an annual growth rate over 22 percent, according to the market research firm MarketsandMarkets. Another analyst, Lux Research, has forecast robots will handle one-fifth of all logistics by 2030.
“Service robots require sophisticated platform technologies encompassing AI, communications and control systems to operate across diverse environments,” said Noh Gyu-chan, who leads LG’s robot business unit. “Leveraging our accumulated robotics expertise, we will deliver new experiences for customers through autonomous solutions.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
