LG’s ‘Inspiration Gallery’ Takes SXSW By Storm

AUSTIN, Texas, March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Engaging with thought leaders, tastemakers and tech mavens at South by Southwest^® (SXSW^®) for the first time, global lifestyle innovator LG Electronics (LG) is offering festivalgoers a sneak peek at future product concepts being developed to transform the way we live.

The LG Inspiration Gallery – open March 8 for 5 days in the heart of the SXSW action near the Austin Convention Center – will feature innovative LG technologies, ranging from a series of new AI robots and unique smart lighting solutions to the company’s first connected ice cream maker. Bringing LG’s “Innovation for a Better Life” mantra to life, the LG Inspiration Gallery will also showcase advanced new products previewed at CES^® 2019, including the world’s first rollable TV – LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R – and the new LG HomeBrew capsule-based craft beer maker.

On opening day, the LG Inspiration Gallery will host a roundtable discussion on the customer benefits of open innovation. Featured speakers include Chul. B. Lee, senior vice president and the head of the LG New Business Center, T.I. Cho, senior vice president and the head of the LG Convergence Center, and Kim Dong-su, CEO of LG Technology Ventures.

The South by Southwest Conference & Festivals celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth, SXSW is billed as “the premier destination for discovery,” making this the ideal venue for LG to preview future innovations, according to Lee.

“South by Southwest, where the creative and technology communities converge, is like a giant focus group testbed for new product ideas and concepts,” said Lee. “We’re eager to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience our innovations first-hand as well as interact with global professionals and opinion leaders in the SXSW community.”

Lee called SXSW the perfect forum for previewing concepts resulting from the extensive, ongoing customer research taking place at the LG New Business Center (LG NBC). “LG’s participation at SXSW is the embodiment of our ambition for open innovation and our drive to continue breaking new ground,” he said.

“With the objective of developing future growth engines and business transformation opportunities, the LG NBC reviews the feasibility of each project and transfers the concepts to business units for commercialization,” Lee explained. “We will continue to develop innovative products and discover business opportunities to fulfill our vision of providing innovation for a better life.”

Through anthropological and psychological research on trends, human behaviors and cultural codes from all over the world – conducted by an affiliated, independent multidisciplinary lab called Life Soft Research – the LG NBC exemplifies the company’s principles of open innovation, with designs informed by the opinions of employees and customers. LG HomeBrew, the innovative capsule-based device that allows consumers to create their own homemade craft beer, is an example of technology stemming from the in-depth undertaken at the NBC.

New Concept Robots and More

LG is showcasing the latest additions to its AI robot line, LG CLOi. The concept models illustrate the company’s wide-ranging efforts to develop robots that are capable of communicating and identifying with users.

Five new LG CLOi concepts are being shown for the first time with robots that recognize your emotional state and can express a variety of feelings including the four major emotions (joy, peace, sadness and anger); robots that recognize space, objects and can communicate with users; robots with new interfaces that simplify the smart home’s IoT hub; and robots that act as playmates for pets and children, and keep an eye on the home.*

LG will also be displaying a prototype personal ice cream maker code-named Snow White. Using specialized capsules that create delicious flavors and creamy textures, anyone will be able to make frozen delights to satisfy various preferences – from traditional ice creams to sorbets, gelatos and even frozen yogurts. 

Unique Technologies

Catering to the SXSW creative community is a new audience-interaction concept for performances known as the fantastick. Revealed for the first time in the LG Inspiration Gallery, this unique Smart Lighting System concept helps create an emotional connection between the performers and the audience. Using the fantastick, the audience will become more than passive spectators and participate in performance art in new ways.

A wall clock named TIME + SPACE that not only tells the time but also provides useful information regarding weather updates and scheduling information, along with stunning earring-shaped wireless earphones “shine” which deliver excellent sound and can be worn as jewelry, are just some of the extraordinary technologies that LG will be showcasing.

Finally, a must-see highlight of the LG Inspiration Gallery is the “LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R,” the world’s first rollable TV – with a razor-thin 65-inch 4K Ultra HD flexible display that resembles a minimalist sculpture when hidden in the low-profile console cabinet in Zero View mode then magically rises to deliver a large-screen home cinema experience in Full View mode. The “R” in the new LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R is about creating a revolution in home entertainment and redefining space through its ability to rise and roll-up at the touch of a button. LG’s game-changing rollable OLED TV was the most-awarded TV from CES 2019. 

*LG CLOi (pronounced “Chloe”) is the sub-brand name that collectively refers to the robot portfolio first announced by LG in January 2018. The name CLOi is derived from “CLever” and “Operating intelligence.” Based on LG artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations, CLOi robots are conceived as companions that learn from users and their environment, think for themselves and communicate to provide humans with a new level of convenience – in other words, delivering Innovation for a Better Life.

About LG Electronics Inc. 
LG Electronics Inc. is a global innovator in technology and manufacturing with operations in more than 100 locations and a workforce of over 70,000 around the world. With 2018 global sales of $54.4 billion, LG is composed of five companies – Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Vehicle Component Solutions and Business Solutions. LG is a world-leading producer of TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and mobile devices, including premium LG SIGNATURE products and LG ThinQ products featuring artificial intelligence. www.LGnewsroom.com.

About LG Electronics USA 
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $54 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air solutions, solar energy solutions and vehicle components. The “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompasses how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. LG is a 2018 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. www.LG.com.

About SXSW 
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals are dedicated to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. An essential destination for global professionals, the event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2019 will take place March 8-17. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA