LG unveiled its new home robot, CLOiD, at CES 2024, promising a future where household chores are automated. The robot is designed to handle tasks from laundry to cooking, and even home security, operating through a combination of AI, cameras, and LG’s ThinQ smart home platform.
The Vision: An AI-Powered Assistant
CLOiD is not just another gadget; it’s LG’s attempt to create an “ambient-care agent” that integrates seamlessly into daily life. The robot leverages a vision language model to understand its surroundings and respond to verbal commands, similar to Siri. Unlike previous domestic robots like Amazon’s Astro or Enabot’s EBO X, CLOiD features a full upper body with arms, designed for physical interaction with objects.
Hands-On Impressions: Slow and Underdeveloped
However, the reality is far from the hype. During a demonstration at CES, CLOiD moved slowly, struggling with simple tasks like folding laundry or preparing breakfast. The robot took an unusually long time to perform basic actions, such as selecting milk from a refrigerator. LG’s “Zero Labor Home” model, where the robot handles all chores while humans relax, remains more aspirational than practical.
Availability and Concerns
The biggest question mark is when CLOiD will actually be available to consumers. LG has not yet announced a release date, and its own disclaimer states that the product is “under development” with potentially changing specifications. This raises concerns about whether CLOiD is a genuine product ready for the market, or simply a marketing tool for LG’s wider smart home ecosystem.
The robot’s slow performance and indefinite availability suggest that it’s still a long way from revolutionizing household chores. While the concept of a fully automated home is appealing, CLOiD’s current state feels more like a proof-of-concept than a finished product. LG appears to be betting on the long-term potential of AI-powered robotics, but for now, consumers may still be better off doing their own laundry.
