LG unveils CLOiD, a home robot for household chores

LG has introduced CLOiD, a robot designed to move around the home autonomously to start a wash, fold laundry or even prepare breakfast.

At CES in Las Vegas, LG has pulled out the stops by revealing its new CLOiD robot. The South Korean company is known for showcasing fresh ideas for home appliances at each show, but this year it has taken things a step further. CLOiD is not simply another appliance: it is a true, near-humanoid robot that can handle a wide range of household tasks on its own, powered by AI.

CLOiD’s design, mobility and dexterity

CLOiD features a torso, a head (with a screen) and two arms with articulated fingers, and it gets around the house using a wheeled mobile base. LG says each arm has seven degrees of freedom, giving it mobility comparable to a human arm. Each finger also has its own independent actuator, helping the robot achieve strong fine-motor control.

AI “brain”, screen, speaker and sensors

In its head, the CLOiD robot includes a chip that serves as its brain, alongside a display, a speaker and a set of sensors used to gather information. LG relies on two types of AI: a Vision Language Model (VLM), which turns images into structured information, and a Vision Language Action (VLA), which turns that information into actions.

One robot, many functions for the LG ecosystem

Compared with other home appliances, the key benefit LG highlights is versatility. Built to work hand-in-hand with the LG ecosystem, CLOiD can run a wash while no one is at home, then fold the clothes after drying. LG also claims that, in one scenario, its robot fetched milk from a fridge and then put a croissant into the oven to make breakfast.

In essence, the aim appears to be a robot on a similar footing to Tesla’s humanoid robots (Optimus) or those from Figure, but tailored specifically for the home and tightly integrated with the South Korean brand’s other appliances. For now, LG has not said when it plans to sell the robot, nor how much it might cost. Even so, CLOiD could become a central element of LG’s home-appliance ecosystem, whose ambition is to eliminate household chores entirely.

“The LG CLOiD home robot is designed to interact naturally with the people it serves and understand them, delivering optimised household assistance,” said Steve Baek, president of LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “We will continue our unwavering efforts to bring our Zero Labor Home vision to life, so our customers can spend more time on what truly matters.”