Incheon airport to get a high-tech makeover

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Incheon airport to get a high-tech makeover

LG Electronics and Incheon International Airport Corporation have joined forces to upgrade the nation’s largest international airport to what is billed as a smarter and more tech-savvy one.

The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding Friday which says LG Electronics will deploy automated robots and Internet of Things technology to facilities at the airport.

Among the new services are robots that will stroll around the airport giving directions to airport newcomers. The guide service will be provided in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.

Some of the robots will clean the floors, organize luggage and check security.

Incheon International Airport will test-run the new robots by the end of this year if the current plans develop.

“By collaborating with LG Electronics, which is a world-leading IT company, we will soon demonstrate self-driving guide robots for the first time as an airport,” Chung Il-young, the airport corporation’s president, said at the agreement ceremony on Friday.

LG home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners are increasingly equipped with “smart technology.”

“We are happy to participate in the project of turning Incheon International Airport, which is the gateway to Korea for foreigners, into a smarter venue,” said Jo Seong-jin, head of LG Electronics’ home-appliance division.

“We will try to introduce a world-class robot service based on know-how and technology we have developed over the years in the home appliance field,” he added.

The agreement is also another step in LG Electronics’ efforts to fortify its position in the business-to-business market, which is seen as more profitable than the consumer-oriented businesses it has focused on in the past.

In other steps to that end, the company has begun making medical imaging equipment in its Home Entertainment department, building on its prowess in high-resolution display screens for LED television sets, smartphones and computer monitors.


BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]





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