LG CNS Enters Humanoid Robot Market With Skild AI's AI Brain

In a significant move to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into the physical world, South Korean IT solutions provider LG CNS has announced a strategic partnership with U.S.-based robotics startup Skild AI.[1] This collaboration, which includes a financial investment from LG's corporate venture capital arm, LG Technology Ventures, marks LG CNS's formal entry into the burgeoning industrial humanoid robot market.[2][3] The deal aims to combine Skild AI's cutting-edge robotics foundation models with LG CNS's expertise in smart factory and logistics solutions to develop a new generation of intelligent, autonomous humanoid robots for industrial applications.[4][5] This partnership underscores a broader industry trend of major corporations teaming up with specialized AI firms to gain a competitive edge in a market projected to be worth $38 billion by 2035.[4][1]

At the core of this collaboration is Skild AI's innovative Robot Foundation Model (RFM), which functions as an AI-driven "brain" for robots.[4][2] Co-founded by former Carnegie Mellon University professors Deepak Pathak and Abhinav Gupta, Skild AI has developed a general-purpose AI system that allows robots to learn and perform tasks autonomously.[1][2] Unlike traditional industrial robots that require extensive and task-specific programming, the RFM enables robots to learn from diverse data sources, including images, text, video, and audio.[1] This allows the machines to quickly adapt to new environments and tasks using observational data like workplace photos and videos, drastically reducing the high costs and lengthy development times associated with conventional robotics.[2] The flexibility of the RFM means it can be applied to various robotic forms, not just humanoids, creating a versatile platform for automation.[2]

LG CNS plans to leverage this advanced AI to create humanoid robot solutions specifically tailored for industrial settings, with an initial focus on manufacturing and logistics.[4] The new robots are expected to handle a range of repetitive, hazardous, and physically demanding duties that are challenging for human workers.[2][5] Key applications will include monitoring factory equipment, assembling products, handling hazardous materials, and performing picking and loading operations in logistics centers.[2][1] By automating these tasks, the partnership aims to reduce costs, improve efficiency and enhance workplace safety.[6] LG CNS will integrate Skild AI's RFM with its own proprietary platforms for robot control, management, and operations, as well as its established solutions for smart factories and logistics.[5] The physical hardware for the robots will be developed in collaboration with specialized manufacturing partners.[4]

The implications of this deal extend beyond the factory floor, with LG CNS envisioning future applications in broader "smart city" contexts.[1][5] Potential uses include service robots for senior care and autonomous patrol services in urban environments.[5] This aligns with LG CNS's broader strategy of becoming a leading provider of intelligent AI robotics services. Lee Jun-ho, head of LG CNS's Smart Logistics and City Business Unit, stated that the combination of Skild AI's technology with LG CNS's solution expertise will drive innovation and help clients achieve smarter operations.[4] This move is part of LG CNS's larger focus on AI transformation, which includes recent collaborations with other tech giants like Google Cloud to expand its AI services across various sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing.[7][8] The company has been actively investing in its AI and logistics capabilities, developing a range of smart logistics robots and platforms that utilize AI-powered vision, optimization algorithms, and digital twin technology.[9][10]

This partnership arrives as the global race to develop and deploy humanoid robots intensifies. Companies like Tesla with its Optimus robot, Boston Dynamics with Atlas, and others are all vying for a share of this rapidly growing market.[1][11] Automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are already exploring the use of humanoids in their manufacturing plants to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages.[12][13] The collaboration between a major IT solutions provider like LG CNS and a nimble AI startup like Skild AI reflects a strategic approach to innovation, combining established industrial know-how with pioneering AI research.[1] As industries worldwide grapple with labor shortages and the need for increased automation, the development of general-purpose, intelligent humanoid robots is poised to become a transformative force, and this partnership positions LG CNS to be a key player in this evolution.[14][6]