LG Launches CLOi ServeBot in US, First Service Robot to Earn UL Certification
Don't be surprised if the next time you go out to eat or on vacation, a robot is serving you. LG Business Solutions USA announced that the CLOi ServeBot will hit the US market in early 2022. The LDLIM21 model is the world's first commercial service robot to earn UL 3300 certification (Underwriters Laboratories is a standards and certification company focused on safety engineering) for safe operation in demanding commercial settings such as restaurants, retail stores and hotels.
For the first time, workers in the US will be able to safely use assistant robots that move through busy environments, carrying up to 30 kg of food or goods, helping staff with their workload, improving customer service and boosting operational efficiency.
“LG CLOi ServeBot is a real breakthrough for all consumer-facing businesses, from restaurants to retail stores and hotels. As the first commercial service robot certified by UL for safe operation in consumer environments, the semi-autonomous CLOi ServeBot gives companies an effective way to deliver enhanced services, freeing staff to focus on customer relationships and creating experiences that encourage repeat visits. Whether delivering food from the kitchen to the table or packages from the storeroom to the counter, LG CLOi ServeBot can move through virtually any environment and free staff to serve customers directly”
Offering up to 11 hours of operation without recharging, LG CLOi ServeBot features three shelves, each able to hold 10 kg, for a total load capacity of 30 kg. The robot can be programmed for different floor plans, enabling precise delivery in settings ranging from densely packed restaurants to large office complexes.
UL certification is an important step forward for commercial and consumer robots, as UL 3300 sets a new standard for SCIEE devices. SCIEE stands for Service, Communication, Information, Education and Entertainment. These robots are designed to work in dynamic, open-world environments, where they perform functions beyond monitoring and can adapt in real time to changes in their surroundings.
“Earning the first UL safety certificate for a commercial and consumer robot is an important milestone. LG has a long-term, deep commitment to public safety. The LG CLOi ServeBot, which received UL listing, demonstrates this. LG sets an example in a very important aspect of market maturity, namely showing due diligence on product safety through UL certification”
As a flagship product from a leading global electronics company, the CLOi ServeBot underwent extensive development, independent technical evaluation and UL testing. Buyers can be confident the robot will be supported by LG's first-class customer service for years to come.
Cloud-connected robots will automatically receive free LG software updates, ensuring buyers can get the most out of their investment through enhanced capabilities and compatibility.
CLOi ServeBot achieves impressive results using a range of sensors and technologies. By combining data from a LIDAR detector, a 3D camera, a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor and a bumper sensor, it can recognize stationary and moving objects in its path and make real-time adjustments to avoid collisions.
Each shelf also has its own ToF sensor, so the robot knows when an item has been removed and can move on to its next destination. ToF sensors determine how far objects are by measuring the time it takes for a light pulse to reflect back, making them useful for both navigation and detecting shelf occupancy.
As a customer service assistant, CLOi ServeBot greets each encounter with a friendly face, enhanced by cute cartoon eye animations shown on the device's 23 cm touchscreen mounted on top.
Operators can use an intuitive touchscreen interface to set assigned locations and select various modes, as well as change voice announcements and the music played in response to customer interaction. When connected to a business's wireless network, CLOi ServeBot provides cloud monitoring, so users can receive near-instant status updates.
CLOi ServeBot stands 134 cm tall, has a base footprint of 51 by 51 cm, can turn in place and has adjustable speed up to 1 m/s. Its built-in 23,000 mAh battery provides up to 11 hours of continuous operation and charges from 0 to 100% in just five hours.
Each shelf measures 50 cm wide and 40 cm deep and features a removable wipeable cover for easy cleaning, providing enough surface area for multiple items and deliveries to several locations.
Each CLOi ServeBot must be pre-programmed with a map of its workspace and destination points, after which it can automatically determine the ideal path for each point-to-point trip and move autonomously through dynamic environments and around moving objects.
Initially, CLOi ServeBot will be available exclusively through certified integrators. LG has launched training programs with selected integrators across the country and will soon expand its reach to interested firms to make it available in the US.
This is not the first LG robot to come to the US. In 2021, the Korean technology company brought in its UV-C disinfection robot. ServeBot will not fully replace human workers, but it can ease staff shortages and reduce the exposure of workers, who often deal with the public, to the spread of coronavirus.
