Signature Kitchen Suite Stuns With Its Precision and Innovation at Milan Design Week 2022
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By News Reporter
In business, meaningful growth can’t happen without innovation. It’s essential if your organization is to evolve and thrive, and if you’re serious about adding value to people’s daily lives.
With a thirst to drive innovation, and a wealth of knowledge in the area of IoT, I set out to establish and grow my own startup. I’m happy to say I succeeded in this endeavor. However, with the business model being rather narrow – a continuous cycle of making products and then selling them – there were limitations to what I could do.
After making the decision to sell my company, I went on to serve as the Presidential Innovation Fellow for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), a program run by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. It was a valuable and enlightening experience. There, I had the chance to work with leading tech companies to further develop and execute plans for industrial IoT and global smart cities. During my seven years in the U.S. federal government, I realized that there are limits to what governments can do with regard to building smart ecosystems. In the end, private companies are the ones bringing the ideas and concepts of smart solutions and businesses to fruition.
This was when I was first approached by LG Electronics. The company wanted to create a new organization dedicated to the discovery of future businesses. LG offered me this amazing opportunity to head up a team they were in the process of putting together.
I thought deeply about the prospect of joining LG. While the company is universally recognized as a strong player in the consumer electronics field, looking in from the outside, it seemed to lack what some might call, a certain ‘disruptive innovation.’ However, I was intrigued by its determination and desire to uncover future businesses and was confident that the company possessed the agility necessary to change and ‘disrupt.’
Personally, I believe that if there are ten great ideas on the table, seven or eight of them will fail to develop into successful businesses. While many people view this way of thinking about business creation as just plain crazy, LG CEO William Cho is, thankfully, not among them.
At LG NOVA, an initiative I am grateful to lead, our mission is to establish a community for nurturing, growing and creating new businesses in new market areas for LG. Early in the LG NOVA journey, we realized that entering new businesses – or new business areas – is difficult if you’re relying solely on your internal capabilities.
If LG wants to create new home appliances, it is in a good position to do this internally because it is already a global leader in consumer electronics, with all the necessary expertise and experience at its disposal. LG NOVA’s mandate is to explore entirely new and different concepts, not currently in LG’s wheelhouse. Although there are thousands of engineers and experts working in LG’s R&D centers, their expertise is in products and areas of business that LG is already in. This is why the LG executive team resolved to look outside of LG.
Our goal is to explore new business avenues that would, ultimately, help contribute to the advancement of LG Electronics. Startups, by the nature of their business model and ability to be at the ground-level of market needs, are leading the forefront of innovation. However, startups will not partner with just any firm that approaches them. This is why we needed to show that LG, as a company, has the commitment and capability to go far beyond home appliances and TVs. This is where LG NOVA comes in.
To establish ourselves in the market, we came up with the idea of hosting a grand challenge. In September 2021, we announced the launch of
link hidden, please login to view, an annual, global competition for startups where we could identify innovative technologies and business ideas for a better tomorrow. The participating startups were tasked with developing and presenting technology-based solutions for improving daily life, our communities and the planet. The tech areas we asked them to focus on included clean tech, healthcare and future tech/AI. To give you an idea of how it works, imagine there is a startup that creates sensors for use in healthcare devices. They might pitch a scenario or concept where their sensors are deployed in TVs to enable innovative new services. Our own business experts, or entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs), would then work with the startup to assess the feasibility of their idea. In many cases, EIRs would work closely with the startup to develop a relevant, but entirely different business idea that could be exciting to both parties. If the idea was deemed to be viable, and in alignment with LG NOVA’s goals and values, a partnership agreement might result and LG NOVA would launch a new business based on the collaboration. This is how a small, fledgling company can set its unique concept on the fast track to becoming a commercialized product.
Through this process, and by combining our capacity with the startup’s capacity, we can create a joint business where LG has as much ‘skin in the game’ as the startup. And at every step along the way, LG NOVA will be right there with them, from meeting with investors to introducing and marketing the ‘final product’ to customers. Through LG NOVA, we can create new products and services that can make a positive difference – and do it at a much larger scale than a startup could manage, if it were to go it alone.
I am proud to be a part of LG and to help guide LG NOVA into exciting new territories where boundless innovation awaits discovery. And I can say, without exaggeration, that I truly love this role. Ultimately, I’m striving for Innovation for Impact – which also happens to be the motto and the philosophy of LG NOVA. While there are many, many ways to make a profit, we have committed ourselves to achieving profitability in a meaningful way, and to leaving a lasting, positive impact on the world.
By Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, executive vice president of Innovation for LG Electronics, head of LG NOVA
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By News Reporter
Milan Design Week, the world’s largest and most well-known design and furniture fair, is a mecca for the aesthetically-inclined. At this year’s event, the biennially-held EuroCucina exhibition put the spotlight on the latest trends in kitchen appliances and furnishings, with many of the industry’s major players taking part. A regular at Milan Design Week, LG delivered a stunning showcase of premium built-in kitchen appliances at a booth designed by GamFratesi, the acclaimed architecture and design studio co-founded by Italian Enrico Fratesi and Denmark’s Stine Gam.
To highlight both the ultra-premium Signature Kitchen Suite and LG’s built-in appliance lineups, the diverse range of built-in products on display clearly reflected the company’s dedication to promoting an inspired culinary lifestyle centered around the joy of sharing and savoring quality food.
“One particularly memorable episode during our collaboration with LG was the differentiation strategy for Signature Kitchen Suite and LG built-in appliances,” said GamFratesi. “This differentiation strategy was well reflected in the booth design.”
The coming together of Signature Kitchen Suite’s True to Food philosophy – founded on the importance of preserving the original flavors of fresh ingredients – and GamFratesi’s design ethos revealed a new vision for kitchen design. LG’s emphasis on quality natural ingredients was echoed by the natural materials and design elements incorporated into the exhibition booth itself, which also reflected the impact of environment and culture on different cuisine traditions. GamFratesi’s subtle use of wood and stone accentuated the beauty of the natural world while simultaneously drawing attention to the connection we form with the planet when cooking and consuming real food.
“The key points to pay attention to are the design of each island and the materials used,” noted GamFratesi. “Each island represents an independent piece of furniture that reflects our design aesthetic.”
Within the booth’s Signature Kitchen Suite zones, GamFratesi complemented the built-in brand’s gorgeous kitchen appliances with natural materials and finishings. Each display kitchen represented a seamless harmony of appliances, cabinetry, counters and décor, highlighting the transformative power of design to create special sanctuaries that celebrate authentic cooking and nature’s beauty.
Evocative, entertaining, yet entirely elegant, the Signature Kitchen Suite wine cellar zone made a lasting impression on visitors to LG’s booth. Here, GamFratesi drew inspiration from the wine-maturation process to craft a calm, almost-meditative space with a ‘cave-like’ sense of depth and a rich, atmospheric mood.
Although the synergy between LG’s built-in appliances and GamFratesi’s kitchen designs is undeniable, the process of smoothly integrating the two for the Milan Design Week showcase was not without challenges. However, through the thoughtful and purposeful placement of appliances with distinct functionalities, and via the introduction of LG’s panel-ready concept, the two innovative companies achieved the ultimate union of form and function. The results, as one can see from the images, speak for themselves.
Through the unprecedented fusion of design, technology and space, the compelling collaboration between LG and GamFratesi presented a new kind of value and a refined kitchen lifestyle. As demonstrated at Milan Design Week, and at other major exhibitions around the world, LG is committed to partnering with like-minded innovators who share its passion for pushing boundaries and elevating everyday life.
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By News Reporter
Featuring Advanced AI Technologies and Sleek Design, Company’s Expanded Lineup
of Built-in Appliances Brings Outstanding Convenience and Style to the Kitchen
SEOUL, Apr. 18, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is unveiling its latest built-in kitchen appliances at Milan Design Week (MDW) 2024, taking place in Milan, Italy, from April 16-21. At the center of LG’s Milan showcase are the brand-new Signature Kitchen Suite built-in oven, free zone induction hob and downdraft hood. Boasting innovative, premium design and highly-convenient features, the company’s refined built-in solutions bring exceptional ease-of-use and effortless elegance to the kitchen.
Signature Kitchen Suite Built-in Oven with Advanced Cooking Technologies
Debuting at MDW 2024 and designed with European consumers in mind, the Signature Kitchen Suite 60-centimeter (24-inch) built-in oven offers a variety of cutting-edge features and AI technologies to elevate the culinary experience. Equipped with Gourmet AI, the oven can identify what the user is cooking and automatically select the appropriate cooking mode from 130 recipes. Gourmet AI also enables ‘browning’ control for foods such as pizza and steak, actively keeping tabs on the cooking process and notifying users via the ThinQ app as soon as their food is done. Thanks to video-recognition, LG’s intelligent oven can suggest the optimal settings for the dish being prepared, while real-time video monitoring and time-lapse recording make it easy to check on the progress of one’s meal using the ThinQ app.
Employing enhanced ProBake powered by inverter technology, the new oven delivers uniform heat and fast, efficient cooking with an A++ energy rating. LG’s innovative technology rotates the convection fan back and forth to ensure shorter preheating times, even heating and crispier results when using the oven’s Air Fry mode. The company’s unique InstaView technology further enhances user convenience, making it possible to see inside simply by knocking twice on the oven door.
Free Zone Induction Hob for Convenient and Flexible Cooking
The Signature Kitchen Suite’s 90-centimeter (36-inch) free zone induction hob presents next-level flexibility and ease-of-use, allowing users to place any size and type of cookware – such as Paella pans and moka pots – anywhere on its cooking surface.* The new appliance can detect and track the position of cookware, eliminating the need to manually cancel and reapply settings when moving a saucepan or skillet from one part of the cooking surface to another. What’s more, the AI technology embedded in the hob can detect the temperature of cookware and automatically lower the heat when necessary, helping to minimize spills and splatter when boiling water or preparing soups and sauces.
Expanded Built-in Lineups for Diverse Kitchen Lifestyles
LG is further bolstering its built-in product lineup with the introduction of the new Signature Kitchen Suite downdraft hood. Made to integrate seamlessly into islands and countertops, the 90-centimeter (36-inch) hood offers a sleek, sophisticated look with its chic black glass and modern frame design. It also provides powerful ventilation, effectively extracting steam and odors for a more pleasant cooking experience.
Additionally, LG has expanded its portfolio of built-in appliances for the European market. Along with new products, such as an 80-centimeter (30-inch) induction hob and built-in combi refrigerators and microwave ovens, the company now provides a wider range of options within its oven lineups – from more product variation to a greater choice of colors and sizes. Among the new models are the Signature Kitchen Suite 122 centimeter (48 inch)-wide French-door refrigerator and stunning appliances from the Transitional lineup, featuring slim handles and satin stainless steel exteriors with a velvety matte finish. To help customers create a curated kitchen aesthetic, the company offers an array of new finishes for its premium built-in products, with black stainless steel and stainless steel joining the previously-introduced black glass finish.
“We are thrilled to showcase our latest built-in innovations at this year’s Milan Design Week, demonstrating our commitment to leading new design trends and meeting the diverse needs of European customers,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to strengthen its presence in Europe through an expanded range of built-in appliances delivering style, performance and convenience in the kitchen.”
Visitors to MDW 2024 in Milan from April 16-21 can experience LG’s latest built-in lineups at the LG booth at Milan Fairgrounds.
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* Cookware recognition may vary depending on the size or number of items placed on the surface.
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By News Reporter
LG remains steadfast in its commitment to actively nurture ideas with the potential to fuel the company’s future growth. By fostering a corporate culture that not only encourages challenges but also embraces failures as stepping stones to success, LG aims to embody the principles that have been at the heart of CEO William Cho’s leadership philosophy since his tenure began. CEO Cho consistently champions the ‘Brave Optimist’ mindset, inspiring everyone to boldly undertake challenges and relentlessly innovate, anchored in the belief that the customer is always the key to unlocking solutions.
A prime embodiment of this ethos is ‘STUDIO341,’ an initiative launched by LG last year. This program is designed to identify and cultivate in-house ventures that encapsulate the spirit of challenge and innovation, a mindset that has been instrumental in propelling LG from its humble beginnings as Goldstar in 1958 to its current status as a global leader in home appliances. The ‘341’ in ‘STUDIO341’ serves as a poignant reminder for LG’s ‘Brave Optimists’ to stay true to the company’s roots, symbolizing the original street address of Goldstar in Busan, Korea’s second-largest city.
The initiative welcomed anyone with a creative idea that can solve a problem worth solving and provide a new experience to customers. The response was impressive, with over 100 internal submissions received.
In the previous year, LG shortlisted the top thirteen ideas – one more than the originally intended twelve – which were further narrowed down to six during an internal IR event. This process involved evaluating the ideas based on their potential to provide unique customer experiences. The selection criteria encompassed business value, feasibility, potential impact and team capabilities.
The chosen teams were relocated to an external office to be able to fully immerse themselves in developing their in-house venture ideas. By March 2024, the top six teams had the opportunity to present their business proposals at the ‘STUDIO341 Demo Day’ in Seoul, in front of LG executives and potential investors.
After thorough deliberation, the top five teams selected for spinoff were unveiled: ‘MASKIT,’ a mobile ticketing and admission service for performing arts that removes the necessity for queuing; ‘FreshGo,’ an original cold chain transportation solution that leverages individual refrigeration technology; ‘Cucumber,’ a platform focused on local food pickup services; ‘Found Objet,’ a digital transaction platform for recycled plastic materials; and ‘X-UP,’ a solution for diagnosing and maintaining golf courses using robots and heat mapping technology.
Meanwhile, LG partnered with Bluepoint, a partnership-driven Korean startup accelerator, to leverage their ability to objectively assess the teams’ capabilities and provide more effective support. This approach has helped streamline the whole process to a year, with six months for selection and six months for development. During the process, each team will receive a joint investment from LG and Bluepoint up to a maximum of KRW 400 million.
In parallel, LG is intensifying its collaboration with global startups, as exemplified by its partnership with Amwell, a U.S. telemedicine company, to provide remote medical treatment solutions across North America. The company also aims to evaluate the viability of services in prevention, diagnosis, post-management and recovery, among others.
LG NOVA, LG’s North America Center for Innovation, launched its “Mission For the Future” by presenting the Eureka Park showcase at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. It also leveraged its influence to introduce startups operating in the digital healthcare field, such as XR Health, Mindset Medical and C.Light Technologies.
Stay tuned to
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By News Reporter
In this installment of On the Job, we go inside LG Labs, LG’s marketing platform established to deliver experimental and innovative product and service experiences to its customers. We’re here to learn more about how it brings one-of-a-kind products and service experiences to customers.
As it transforms into a younger and innovative company, LG is fully committed to delivering a consistent supply of groundbreaking products and technologies that appeal to the younger generation. Playing a key role in this shift is LG Labs, a platform established to push the limits of innovation and turn imagination into reality by doing something that doesn’t come natural to most – thinking outside the box.
Since making its world debut at CES 2023, LG Labs has been presenting some of the most experimental and innovative products and services to global customers. Set up to bring a younger and more innovative feel to the LG brand, LG Labs’ purpose is to develop products that resonate with the younger generation, helping it build strong and lasting brand values that will be crucial to sustaining its leadership status into the future.
“If we discover an innovative idea that can provide new, unique experiences to customers, it doesn’t matter if it is low in business priority or small in market size,” explained Kong Dae-won, leader of LG Labs. “Even before launch, LG Labs actively engages with real customers through various channels and considers their honest feedback, providing us more opportunities to bring our potentially game-changing ideas to life.”
(From left to right) Kong Dae-won, leader of LG labs, and Woo Hyung-bihn, specialist at LG Labs
To decide which product to develop, LG Labs brings together experts from LG Global Marketing Group, Design Management Center, CX Center, Quality Management Center and other related departments. The questions every LG Labs expert must ask themself are: Is this something we’ve never tried before? Is it a new concept for the industry? And does it have business potential?
For example, DukeBox, which was unveiled at
link hidden, please login to view, creates an entirely new product category and unique music experience by combining a vacuum tube motif with Transparent OLED tech. In fact, despite launching only a year ago, LG Labs has already invented several never-before-seen products including , Bon Voyage and brid.zzz. Bon Voyage featured at Wanderlust Korea
“We felt it was important to bring our innovations to customers directly and provide the opportunity to experience our innovative ideas in person,” said Kong Dae-won. “Over the past year, brid.zzz, Bon Voyage and DUOBO were featured in the LG Labs experience zone at offline events in South Korea, including Wanderlust Korea, Isegye Festival and Go Out Camp Festival. As a result, we were able to reach more than 40,000 customers and received invaluable feedback from more than 2,000 visitors.”
This year’s CES LG Labs booth was twice the size of last year’s booth, and the response from visitors was twice the scale as well. DukeBox was a big hit, especially with the big music labels in attendance as it fit seamlessly with their content and music. As a result, LG is currently in talks with a famous label on a potential collaboration that would undoubtedly strike a chord with young music fans.
LG Labs offline experience zone at Isegye Festival in Korea
Beginning last year, LG started focusing on targeting younger customers. This year, it’s taking things a step further by entering their social and online channels to generate more engagement. By leveraging the influence of creators who resonate with the younger demographic, LG plans to adopt an online and offline hybrid marketing strategy to communicate the new and exciting experiences of LG Labs’ products. This includes expanding its experience events overseas.
LG Labs aims to expand the company’s future business portfolio while encouraging both executives and employees to challenge convention by fostering an organizational culture that welcomes and rewards it. There’s much more to come from LG Labs over the coming years, so watch this space for more inventions designed to make life good!
Stay tuned to the to find out what other LG teams and employees are getting up to.
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