Sure, LG's new home assistant robot doesn't have a good or even easily digestible name, but we're going to give the LG smart home Artificial Intelligence (AI) agent extra points for cuteness.
The new bot, which will be unveiled at CES 2024 (Jan. 9-12), is a small cog in LG's new efforts to create “Zero Labor Homes.” The predominantly white, approximately 30 cm high bot balances on sixty centimeter wheels and has a friendly face with two large video eyes. Below that is a fixed 'mouth' that is actually an array of cameras and sensors. There's also a nice, wide handle, so you can pick up the LG bot if, we assume, it gets in the way.
Aside from its warm demeanor, the smart home artificial intelligence (AI) agent is packed with technology, most of which is based on Qualcomm's Robotics RB5 development kit, which is built around Qualcomm's QRB516. The SoC offers a wealth of pre-built AI capabilities, such as facial recognition and the ability to capture a wide range of environmental data, including air quality, humidity and temperature.
“Our groundbreaking smart home AI agent combines advanced autonomous mobility and AI technologies with advanced communication capabilities and services to help free customers from household chores,” said Lyu Jae-cheol in a release about the new robot.
LG designed the robot to be the home helper you need, so it can serve as a home security system, roaming the halls and seeking out intruders (and reporting them directly to your smartphone). It can help you prepare for your day by offering weather updates or reminding you of your schedule.
It can connect to your smart home system and manage connected outlets and switches (it would be nice if a robot could run around my house and turn off all the lights that people leave on).
The robot can also be quite personable, greeting you when you get home and even identifying your mood (based on the frowning face you're making right now, for example) and then playing music that might cheer you up.
One of the included robot images shows the smart home's artificial intelligence (AI) agent lurking near a small child (who seems quite entertained), but there are no details on how it interacts with children deals. Would the video eyes turn into a cartoon playback screen, or would a toddler-friendly game pop up? Likewise, LG hasn't specified battery life or how the robot might charge itself.
Since LG doesn't have a decent name for the robot, it's no surprise that we don't have a price or availability date. Still, I'm willing to bet that most people won't mind interacting with this ultra-cute bot if it becomes available.
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