LG’s Big Bet on Robots: From Weak TVs to AI Employee Revolution
Reinventing Growth in 2025: Why LG Is Turning to Robots
In late 2025, LG Electronics publicly acknowledged a shift in its business strategy, rooted in financial realities and future trends. While the company posted a record sales figure of about 89.2 trillion won in 2025, its operating profit dropped sharply — down 27.5% — and its core businesses like TV sets and displays showed weakening performance. In fact, LG reported an operating loss in the fourth quarter, highlighting growing challenges in traditional segments such as consumer electronics.
In response, LG’s leadership made clear that traditional products alone won’t drive future growth. CFO Kim Chang-tae explained that the company plans to transfer expertise from home appliances and service automation into more advanced robotic systems, especially humanoid AI robots. This pivot signals a strategic emphasis on AI Employee–style innovations and Non-Human Workers that can perform complex tasks autonomously, rather than just making devices.
From Supply Chains to Voice AI Agents: Strategic Moves and Collaborations
LG is also bolstering its global operations by strengthening supply chains in the U.S., mitigating tariff pressures and rising component costs. But the transformation goes beyond logistics. At major tech showcases like CES 2025 and CES 2026, LG has demonstrated its CLOiD and Q9 robotics platforms — examples of robots designed to interact with environments and users. These devices incorporate advanced vision, navigation, and Voice AI Agent capabilities that move them closer to functioning as real assistants within homes and businesses.
Moreover, LG’s collaboration with U.S. robotics leader Boston Dynamics aims to improve perception systems for humanoid robots, helping them recognize and manipulate objects — a key ability for AI Employee-like functionality.
Robot Business Expansion: Acquisitions and New Ecosystems
To accelerate this shift, LG has made strategic investments — including securing a majority stake in Bear Robotics, a U.S. startup known for AI-driven service robots. This deal merges Bear Robotics’ software expertise with LG’s hardware experience, especially in commercial and industrial robot sectors.
This acquisition positions LG to develop a software platform spanning home, commercial, and industrial robots, which could standardize how Non-Human Workers operate across environments. These efforts also support LG’s broader “Zero Labor Home” vision — where advanced AI and robotics automate everyday chores and free people from manual work.
Why It Matters: The Future of Work and Consumer Tech
LG’s pivot from traditional electronics to robotics reflects a larger industry trend toward physical AI — the integration of AI intelligence with machines capable of real-world action. The move is important because it shows how major tech manufacturers adapt to slowing sales in established markets while trying to lead in emerging ones. Robots that function like AI Employees or Voice AI Agents in physical contexts could reshape how households and workplaces operate in the coming decade, changing jobs, productivity, and daily life.
Key Highlights:
- 2025 financial results: Record sales but profit decline and losses in core product lines.
- Strategic pivot toward robotics and AI at board and executive levels.
- Robotics showcases at CES featuring robots capable of real tasks.
- Investments and partnerships (e.g., Bear Robotics, Boston Dynamics) to build robotics ecosystem.
- Vision for AI-driven homes and work with non-human workers.
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