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LG CLOiD is a humanoid robot developed by LG Electronics, the South Korean multinational electronics company. Unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, CLOiD is an AI-powered home assistant robot designed to automate household chores such as cooking, laundry, and cleaning. The robot features a wheeled base for autonomous navigation, dual articulated arms with seven degrees of freedom each, and five-fingered dexterous hands capable of fine manipulation. CLOiD is powered by LG's "Affectionate Intelligence" technology, combining a Vision Language Model (VLM) and a Vision Language Action (VLA) model trained on tens of thousands of hours of household task data.
CLOiD represents the latest and most ambitious entry in LG's CLOi robot family, which has included commercial service robots since 2018. The robot embodies LG's vision of a "Zero Labor Home," where intelligent machines handle routine household tasks and free up time for occupants. As of early 2026, CLOiD remains a demonstration platform with no confirmed commercial release date or pricing.
LG Electronics first entered the robotics market at CES 2017, where the company showcased four concept robots: an Airport Guide Robot, an Airport Cleaning Robot, a Lawn Mowing Robot, and a Hub Robot for the home.[1] These early prototypes signaled LG's intention to expand beyond consumer electronics into service robotics.
At CES 2018, LG formally introduced the CLOi brand (pronounced "KLOH-ee") as its unified robotics product line. The initial CLOi lineup included three commercial robots designed for airports, hotels, and supermarkets: the CLOi PorterBot for luggage transport, the CLOi ServeBot for food and drink delivery, and the CLOi CartBot for grocery assistance.[2] These robots shared a common design language and were built for operation in open, dynamic commercial environments.
LG continued expanding the CLOi family in subsequent years. At CES 2019, the company debuted an updated version of the CLOi SuitBot, a lower-body exoskeleton developed in collaboration with SG Robotics. The wearable device was designed to reduce strain on warehouse workers by providing powered assistance for bending and lifting movements, operating for up to four hours on a single charge.[3] LG also showed improved versions of the PorterBot, ServeBot, and CartBot at the same event, describing them as "nearing commercialization."
In 2020 and 2021, LG pivoted to address pandemic-era demand by introducing the CLOi UV-C Bot, an autonomous disinfection robot that uses ultraviolet light to sanitize high-touch surfaces in hotels, schools, and offices. The UV-C Bot was announced at Digital CES 2021 and represented LG's first CLOi robot to launch commercially in the United States. Testing showed the system could reduce microorganisms on surfaces by 99.999% at various distances.[4]
A significant commercial milestone came in January 2022, when LG launched the CLOi ServeBot in the U.S. market. The ServeBot became the world's first commercial service robot to achieve UL 3300 certification, a safety standard for service, communication, information, education, and entertainment (SCIEE) robots operating in dynamic environments.[5] The ServeBot stood 52.7 inches tall, featured three shelves capable of carrying up to 22 pounds each (66 pounds total), and could operate for up to 11 hours on a single charge. Its navigation system combined LiDAR, a 3D camera, a time-of-flight sensor, and a bumper sensor for real-time obstacle avoidance.
LG also deployed the CLOi ChefBot, a six-axis multi-joint cooking robot, at a VIPS restaurant in Seoul in partnership with CJ Foodville. The CLOi BaristaBot was similarly deployed at select cafes in Seoul, using a database of bean types, water temperatures, and brewing times to prepare coffee.[6]
LG has pursued an aggressive investment strategy to build expertise across the robotics value chain. In 2018, LG Electronics acquired a 30% controlling stake in Robostar, a South Korean industrial robot manufacturer specializing in articulated robots and SCARA robots used in display, semiconductor, and secondary battery manufacturing.[7] LG holds a 7.36% equity stake in ROBOTIS, a Korean robot component maker, and acquired a majority stake in Bear Robotics, a U.S.-based autonomous delivery robot company.[8]
Internationally, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo has directed investments into Figure AI, AgiBot, Dyna Robotics, and Skilled AI to advance home robot safety and foundational AI modeling.[8] LG Electronics invested in AgiBot, the Chinese humanoid robot startup, in August 2025, laying the groundwork for technical cooperation.[9] These investments reflect a broader strategy where LG positions itself as both a robot manufacturer and a key supplier of components to the wider humanoid robotics industry.
LG Electronics pre-announced the CLOiD home robot in December 2025, sharing its vision of the "Zero Labor Home, Makes Quality Time" concept ahead of CES 2026.[10] The company described CLOiD as a home-specialized AI robot and "ambient care agent" designed to reduce both physical and mental labor in the household.
The name "CLOiD" extends the established CLOi brand with the suffix "D," reportedly standing for "domestic" or "daily" to distinguish it from LG's commercial service robots. CLOiD represents a fundamental shift in LG's robotics strategy: while prior CLOi robots targeted business-to-business applications in airports, hotels, and restaurants, CLOiD is designed specifically for private residences.
CLOiD was publicly unveiled on January 5, 2026, during LG's keynote presentation at CES 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Steve Baek, president of LG Home Appliance Solution Company, introduced the robot on stage, stating: "The LG CLOiD home robot is designed to naturally engage with and understand the humans it serves, providing an optimized level of household help." A CLOiD prototype rolled onto the stage during the presentation and demonstrated its ability to load laundry into a washing machine.[11][12]
The robot was displayed at LG's CES booth (#15004) throughout the show from January 6-9, 2026, where it demonstrated multiple household task scenarios for attendees.
CLOiD uses a semi-humanoid form factor with a head, torso, and two arms mounted on a wheeled mobile base rather than legs. LG selected the wheeled base design for stability, safety, and cost-effectiveness, drawing on autonomous driving technology developed for the company's robot vacuum products, including the LG Q9.[13] The low center of gravity reduces the risk of tipping if a child or pet makes contact with the robot.
The robot's height is adjustable between 105 cm and 143 cm (approximately 3 ft 5 in to 4 ft 8 in) through a tilting torso mechanism. This allows CLOiD to reach objects at knee level (for picking items off the floor or loading a washing machine) and above (for accessing kitchen counters and shelves).[14]
The head unit serves as CLOiD's mobile AI home hub. It contains a processing chipset that functions as the robot's brain, along with a display screen, a speaker, multiple cameras, various sensors, and a voice-based generative AI system. The display shows animated facial expressions, allowing the robot to communicate emotions and status visually. The head unit enables CLOiD to communicate with humans through spoken language, gestures, and facial expressions.[12]
Each of CLOiD's two arms features seven degrees of freedom, which LG claims matches the mobility range of a human arm. The shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints allow forward, backward, rotational, and lateral motion. The arm length is approximately 87 cm.[14]
Each hand includes five independently actuated fingers designed for fine manipulation. The multi-tactile hands were developed in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to enable precise object handling.[15] Force-limiting safety features and collision detection with emergency stop capabilities are built into the arm and hand system.
The wheeled base provides autonomous navigation using a combination of sensors including RGB cameras, stereo cameras, ultrasonic sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a gyroscope. Navigation employs LiDAR integration for mapping and obstacle avoidance.[14] The base allows movement speeds of up to 1.0 m/s.
| Category | Specification | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Height (adjustable) | 105 - 143 cm (3 ft 5 in - 4 ft 8 in) |
| Physical | Weight | ~60 kg (~132 lb) |
| Physical | Arm length | 87 cm |
| Physical | Materials | Aluminum and plastic |
| Mobility | Locomotion | Wheeled base (autonomous navigation) |
| Mobility | Max speed | 1.0 m/s (3.6 km/h, 2.2 mph) |
| Manipulation | DOF per arm | 7 |
| Manipulation | Fingers per hand | 5 (independently actuated) |
| Manipulation | Payload capacity | ~5 kg per arm |
| Power | Battery capacity | 25,000 mAh lithium-ion |
| Power | Runtime | 6 - 8 hours per charge |
| Power | Charging time | ~3 hours |
| Power | Energy consumption | 200W average; 500W peak |
| Sensors | Camera systems | RGB cameras, stereo cameras |
| Sensors | Other sensors | Ultrasonic, IMU, gyroscope, force sensors, temperature monitoring |
| Sensors | Navigation | LiDAR integration |
| AI | Core models | Vision Language Model (VLM), Vision Language Action (VLA) |
| AI | Training data | Tens of thousands of hours of household task data |
| AI | Operating system | Proprietary LG ThinQ OS (ROS2-compatible) |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Connectivity | Smart home platform | LG ThinQ |
| Safety | Features | Force-limiting joints, collision detection, emergency stop |
CLOiD's intelligence is built on two core AI components that LG categorizes under the umbrella of "Physical AI," a term describing AI systems that interact with and act upon the physical world.
The Vision Language Model (VLM) converts images and video captured by CLOiD's cameras into structured, language-based understanding. This allows the robot to interpret its surroundings, recognize objects, read appliance displays, and understand spatial relationships in a home environment.[12]
The Vision Language Action (VLA) model translates visual and verbal inputs into executable physical actions. When a user gives a spoken command or the robot identifies a task that needs completing, the VLA model generates the motor commands required to manipulate objects, operate appliances, and navigate through rooms. Both models were trained on tens of thousands of hours of household task data, encompassing activities such as folding laundry, loading dishwashers, organizing refrigerators, and cooking assistance.[12]
Through situational awareness technology and continuous learning of user daily patterns, CLOiD can proactively perform appropriate household tasks without explicit instructions. The robot is designed to refine its responses over time through repeated interactions with its users.
CLOiD is positioned within LG's broader "Affectionate Intelligence" AI strategy, first introduced by the company in 2024 and expanded at CES 2025 and CES 2026. Affectionate Intelligence is LG's framework for applying AI in ways intended to reduce friction in daily life rather than add complexity. The approach is built on three strategic pillars: device excellence, an orchestrated ecosystem, and expansion of AI-driven solutions beyond the home.[16]
At CES 2026, LG described CLOiD as the physical embodiment of Affectionate Intelligence, a robot that senses its surroundings, interacts naturally with users, and adapts its behavior based on learned preferences and routines.
LG AI Research, the company's dedicated AI research division, develops the EXAONE family of large-scale AI models that serve as the cognitive foundation for LG's AI products. As of early 2026, the EXAONE lineup includes K-EXAONE, a 236-billion-parameter Mixture-of-Experts model with 23 billion active parameters released in January 2026, and EXAONE 4.5, a vision-language model announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona in April 2026.[17][18]
EXAONE 4.5 is particularly relevant to CLOiD's capabilities, as it is a VLM that can process both text and images simultaneously, with 33 billion parameters. LG AI Research has stated that EXAONE serves as the cognitive layer for the company's broader robotics efforts, including the KAPEX humanoid platform developed jointly with KIST.[17]
A defining feature of CLOiD is its deep integration with the LG ThinQ smart home platform. Rather than operating as a standalone device, CLOiD functions as a mobile agent within the ThinQ ecosystem, orchestrating services across multiple connected LG appliances. The robot connects to the ThinQ ON AI home hub, which is powered by generative AI that understands natural language, responds in context, and learns user lifestyle patterns.[19]
This integration enables cooperative behavior between CLOiD and other LG devices. During CES demonstrations, LG showed the refrigerator door automatically opening as CLOiD approached, the oven opening on command, and LG's robot vacuum moving out of the way when CLOiD needed to navigate near a hamper.[20] The robot can learn the living environment and lifestyle patterns of its users and control connected home appliances based on those learnings.
By early 2026, LG's AI Home solution (built on ThinQ ON) had surpassed 300,000 households, providing a growing installed base for potential CLOiD integration.[19]
LG's broader vision positions CLOiD alongside two complementary concepts. "Appliance Robots" are existing products such as robot vacuums that already have autonomous capabilities. "Robotized Appliances" are traditional home appliances enhanced with robotic features, such as refrigerators with auto-opening doors or washing machines that can communicate their status to CLOiD. Together, these three categories form the foundation of LG's "AI Home" concept, where housework is transferred to intelligent systems working in coordination.[12]
At CES 2026, LG showcased CLOiD performing several household task scenarios:
| Scenario | Tasks demonstrated |
|---|---|
| Breakfast preparation | Retrieving milk from the refrigerator; placing a croissant in the oven; operating kitchen appliances |
| Laundry management | Loading clothes into the washing machine; initiating wash and dry cycles; folding and stacking garments after drying |
| General housekeeping | Retrieving keys from a couch; tidying up rooms; navigating around obstacles |
| Fitness coaching | Providing guided exercise routines |
| Appliance coordination | Triggering auto-open on the refrigerator; communicating with the robot vacuum to clear navigation paths |
During the keynote presentation, a CLOiD prototype rolled on stage and demonstrated loading laundry into a washing machine. On the show floor, the robot was shown folding towels and performing other domestic tasks in a mock home environment.[20][21]
CLOiD received the CES 2026 Innovation Award as an Honoree in the Smart Home category, and Gizmodo awarded it "Best of CES 2026: Best Robot," praising its design and functionality.[22][23]
However, reviewers also noted significant limitations. Engadget observed that "the robot also moved very slowly" throughout its demonstrations, characterizing the pace as a significant drawback to the otherwise impressive concept. The reviewer expressed skepticism, stating that "the concept is unlikely to amount to much anytime soon" and noting that LG made no firm commitments to commercialization.[20] Other observers remarked that while the technology was visually impressive, the gap between a controlled CES demonstration and reliable day-to-day operation in a real household remains substantial.
Alongside CLOiD, LG unveiled LG Actuator AXIUM, a new brand of robotic actuators designed for service robots and humanoids. The actuators serve as robotic joints, integrating a motor, drive control, and speed/torque reducer into a compact, lightweight package.[24]
Key features of the AXIUM actuator include a distributed core motor design that delivers higher torque density in a smaller footprint, and an energy-harvesting system that recovers energy generated during deceleration to extend operating time. LG expects to reach mass-production capacity for AXIUM by the end of 2026, leveraging its existing home appliance manufacturing infrastructure that produces approximately 45 million motors annually.[24][25]
Actuators represent 40-60% of humanoid robot production costs, making LG's component manufacturing capability a potential competitive advantage. LG has positioned AXIUM not only for its own robots but as a product for external robotics companies, applying to a broad range of applications from home and service robots to industrial, collaborative, and logistics robots.[25]
In parallel with CLOiD's consumer-facing development, LG Electronics and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) are jointly developing KAPEX, a next-generation humanoid robot platform designed for autonomous walking and navigation in complex environments. While CLOiD uses a wheeled base for home navigation, KAPEX is a legged humanoid intended for more diverse terrain and use cases.[26]
KIST provides foundational humanoid locomotion technology, while LG AI Research equips KAPEX with the EXAONE AI model as its cognitive engine. The KAPEX project is a cornerstone of South Korea's K-Humanoid Alliance, a government-backed initiative with approximately $150 million allocated in 2025 for humanoid R&D, infrastructure, and testing. Initial results focusing on mobility and hand manipulation were targeted for November 2025, with field demonstrations and commercialization planned within four years.[26]
CLOiD sits at the center of LG Group's "One LG" strategy for humanoid robotics, which coordinates five major affiliates to provide integrated subsystem packages for the broader robotics industry:[25]
| LG Affiliate | Robotics contribution |
|---|---|
| LG Electronics | AXIUM actuators; CLOiD and CLOi robots; integration platform |
| LG Energy Solution | Sulfide-based all-solid-state battery cells optimized for humanoids (targeting 2029-2030) |
| LG Innotek | Composite sensing modules integrating cameras, LiDAR, and radar (collaborating with Boston Dynamics); large-scale production targeted 2027-2028 |
| LG AI Research | EXAONE vision-language models as cognitive layer for robotics |
| LG Display | 7-inch flexible OLED panels for humanoid interfaces, repurposed from automotive dashboard technology |
This conglomerate approach mirrors LG Group's strategy in the automotive and data center sectors, where multiple affiliates contribute specialized components. LG executives have acknowledged that "meaningful robotics revenue is still three to four years away," but view the investments as foundational for long-term market position.[25]
CLOiD enters a rapidly expanding home and service robotics market. Unlike most competitors pursuing bipedal designs for industrial or general-purpose applications, CLOiD specifically targets household chores with a wheeled platform optimized for home environments.
| Robot | Company | Type | Primary target | Status (early 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLOiD | LG Electronics | Wheeled humanoid (arms + mobile base) | Home / household chores | Prototype; no commercial release date |
| Ballie | Samsung | Spherical AI companion | Home / smart home control | Announced at CES 2020; not commercially available |
| Astro | Amazon | Wheeled home robot | Home / security and monitoring | Limited consumer availability |
| Optimus | Tesla | Bipedal humanoid | General-purpose / industrial | Production expected Summer 2026 |
| Atlas (electric) | Boston Dynamics | Bipedal humanoid | Industrial / warehousing | Production version launched CES 2026 |
| NEO | 1X Technologies | Bipedal humanoid | Consumer / home | Pilot programs underway |
| Figure 02 | Figure AI | Bipedal humanoid | Industrial / manufacturing | Deployed at BMW factory |
Samsung's Ballie, first shown at CES 2020 as a small rolling robot companion, has been described by some industry observers as "effectively vaporware" due to its continued absence from the consumer market.[27] Amazon's Astro, while commercially available in limited form, focuses primarily on home security and monitoring rather than physical chore automation.
CLOiD's approach is distinct in several ways. By using a wheeled base instead of legs, LG avoids the balance and energy consumption challenges inherent in bipedal locomotion, while maintaining the ability to navigate a typical home. The robot's deep integration with LG's existing smart home appliance ecosystem gives it a potential advantage in coordinating with household devices. However, CLOiD's reliance on a wheeled platform limits it to flat, obstacle-free surfaces and prevents it from climbing stairs or navigating uneven terrain.
CLOiD is the latest addition to LG's CLOi robot lineup, which spans commercial, industrial, and now residential applications:
| Robot | Year introduced | Application | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLOi Airport Guide Robot | 2017 | Airports | Boarding pass scanning; gate escort; wayfinding |
| CLOi Airport Cleaning Robot | 2017 | Airports | Autonomous floor cleaning |
| CLOi PorterBot | 2018 | Hotels, airports | Luggage delivery; express check-in/check-out |
| CLOi ServeBot | 2018 (US launch 2022) | Restaurants, hotels | Food/drink delivery; UL 3300 certified; 11-hour battery |
| CLOi CartBot | 2018 | Supermarkets | Grocery assistance |
| CLOi SuitBot | 2018 (updated 2019) | Warehouses, industrial | Lower-body exoskeleton; 4-hour battery |
| CLOi ChefBot | 2020 | Restaurants | Six-axis cooking robot; deployed at VIPS Seoul |
| CLOi BaristaBot | 2020 | Cafes | Automated coffee preparation; deployed in Seoul |
| CLOi UV-C Bot | 2021 | Hotels, schools, offices | UV disinfection; 99.999% bacterial reduction |
| CLOi GuideBot | 2022 | Airports, malls, exhibitions | Interactive information kiosk; touchscreen display |
| CLOiD | 2026 | Residential homes | Household chore automation; AI-powered humanoid |
As of April 2026, LG has not announced a price or commercial release date for CLOiD. Third-party estimates place the potential price range at $20,000 to $40,000, though LG has not confirmed these figures. Industry analysts suggest that pilot programs or limited launches could follow in late 2026 or 2027, with broader consumer availability potentially by 2028.[14][27]
LG has positioned CLOiD primarily as a demonstration of its vision and technological capabilities, with the company stating that its focus remains on "developing infrastructure and technologies" for home robotics. The slow pace of the robot's movements during CES demonstrations and the current cost of similar robots (estimated at over 100 million Korean won, or approximately $70,000, per unit) suggest that significant engineering and manufacturing work remains before CLOiD becomes a practical consumer product.[15]