LG CNS, the IT services arm of South Korea’s LG Electronics, is setting up a new research and development center in Silicon Valley to accelerate work on next-generation technologies. The U.S. hub will concentrate on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, with a particular emphasis on developing agentic AI and robotic foundation models, as the company looks to strengthen its position in the emerging “physical AI” market.
The move reflects LG Group’s broader push into AI-driven innovation. Just recently, LG Electronics disclosed a significant deal to supply cooling solutions for AI data centers in the United States — its first public announcement of such a contract. By pairing its hardware business with advanced software research through LG CNS, the group aims to secure a stronger foothold in global AI markets.
This will be LG Group’s second research hub in Silicon Valley, following an earlier facility set up by LG Electronics, underscoring the conglomerate’s long-term commitment to investing in the world’s leading innovation cluster. For LG CNS, the expansion represents both a strategic base for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics and a step toward diversifying its capabilities in fast-emerging technologies.
The center’s research will focus on two main tracks: AI transformation (AX) and robot transformation (RX). In the AX domain, LG CNS plans to advance agentic AI, a type of artificial intelligence designed to independently solve complex problems beyond simple assistance. This approach could help enterprises automate higher-level decision-making processes, an area considered critical for next-generation digital services.
On the robotics side, the RX program will target robotic foundation models (RFM), robotic learning data, simulation, and service platforms. RFMs, seen as the “brain” of physical AI, are general-purpose models that enable robots to move beyond single-task functions. By equipping machines with the ability to learn, reason, and operate in diverse environments, RFMs are expected to set the future standard for competitiveness in the robotics industry.
Global tech leaders are already accelerating efforts in this field. Companies like Google DeepMind and NVIDIA are incorporating robotic data into generative AI systems, advancing RFMs that could power robots, autonomous vehicles, and other physical AI applications. LG CNS’s entry into this race signals South Korea’s intention to secure a foothold in a market that many expect to become a major growth engine in the coming decade.
To strengthen its research base, LG CNS has been forging international partnerships. The company is collaborating with Canadian AI firm Cohere on reasoning-based large language model (LLM) solutions for agentic AI, while also teaming up with Skilled AI to advance robotic foundation technologies. In addition, it is working with Bear Robotics to develop autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions, expanding its scope across both software and mobility.
LG Electronics, the group’s flagship company, is also laying the groundwork in AI infrastructure. CEO Cho Joo-wan recently highlighted a U.S. deal to supply advanced cooling systems for AI data centers, emphasizing that while such infrastructure does not directly create AI models, it plays a key role in ensuring their performance, scalability, and sustainability. This focus on hardware complements LG CNS’s push into advanced AI and robotics software.
An LG CNS spokesperson said the new center would serve as a platform for collaborating with startups, global tech companies, and research institutions. The company also plans to attract top-level talent, particularly researchers with advanced degrees, and is open to pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions. By combining global talent with Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem, LG CNS aims to secure breakthrough technologies and strengthen its position in the global AI and robotics landscape.
