LG Group's unveiling of the AI-powered home robot "Cloyd" and the robot actuator brand "LG Actuator Axiome" at CES 2026, the world's largest IT and home appliance trade show, and its push to build an AI ecosystem as a future growth engine, were made possible by a decision from LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo.
According to LG Group on the 15th, Koo selected AI as a core area of new business and focused bold investment and innovation so the company could work to establish the AI industry ecosystem and strengthen technological competitiveness. People familiar with the matter said Koo's visit in 2024 to Figure AI, a humanoid robot development startup in Silicon Valley, influenced the move.
At the time, Koo heard from Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock about the outlook for the robot market and the state of the technology. Koo also watched the humanoid robot "Figure 1" developed by Figure AI in operation, as he reviewed the latest AI technology trends that could elevate LG Group's AI competitiveness by a notch.
An LG Group official said, "It reflected Chairman Koo's longtime view that AI will trigger innovation across all industries and have a major impact on business," adding, "In the same vein, LG Group also took part in Figure AI's Series C funding last year."
Cloyd, which LG Electronics unveiled at CES 2026, operated home appliances on its own and showed it could move its finger joints freely while preparing a meal. In addition, LG Group revealed parts that serve as the robot's joints, AI-based in-vehicle solutions, and a TV lineup that offers personalized viewing experiences, presenting an ecosystem in which AI connects around the customer across various spaces such as the home and the car.
The brain of LG Group's AI ecosystem is LG AI Research, established in 2020. At the Ministry of Science and ICT's "independent AI foundation model project first presentation" late last year, LG AI Research unveiled "K-EXAONE (EXAONE)" and advanced to the second round after receiving top scores in benchmark, expert, and user evaluations that day. In a statement, LG AI Research said, "Chairman Koo's AI-focused strategy has borne fruit."