LG has been a force to reckon with at CES 2024. Especially with the amazing set of TVs it has brought to Vegas. This includes the show-stopper 77-inch wireless, transparent OLED TV that lets you use it as a décor item you can peep beyond, when you’re not enjoying your regular dose of entertainment on it.
Of course, new speakers, TVs and other forms of consumer tech are expected from the South Korean tech company. What is really not a given is a micro-housing solution for adventurers. But that’s what LG Labs, the company’s marketing division for innovative products – has on exhibit at CES in the form of 2024 Bon Voyage camping trailer.
Designer: LG Labs
The Bon Voyage trailer is, frankly then, LG’s foray into designing intelligent life solutions for the masses. This trailer is based on the bigger tiny living solution – with the same name – released back at the Wanderlust Korea 2023. It was a duplex home built with 20sq meter of living space comprising diagonal corridors and ergonomic stairs.
The idea behind creation of the Bon Voyage was to understand the trends in housing culture and to gauge what people wanted. Through the received feedback, LG Labs has now scaled down the Bon Voyage – showing off at CES – into the size of the towable trailer which can be trailed behind your electric vehicle.
Designed as a cozy personal space on the road, the new Bon Voyage trailer is 7 feet high, 6.6 feet wide, and over 12 feet long. In this little space, LG has managed to stuff a range of furniture, storage, and a bed. It makes the living space well-lighted with the use of large glass windows and a side entry.
The basic construction is done with the use of low-carbon steel materials presumably, and it features a flatter roof for limited headspace. With the sleeping space tucked toward the front, the tailgate has a functional kitchen stocked up with an electric stove, water purifier, and refrigerator. From how things appear, there is no bathroom, but we would like to believe LG has a portable toilet and a section for bathing within. The battery-powered Bon Voyage trailer doesn’t have a price or availability going its way at the time of writing, but the battery-powered camping solution, should be apt for off-grid tours with an option solar panel set-up.
I had an idea about what’s possible with AI and machine learning integration. What I didn’t know, until today, was that LG is committed to realizing a vision of “Zero Labor Home” with robotics and artificial intelligence. Does that sound safe is a discussion for another day, but what’s on the horizon (as progress in the direction) is the pre-CES announcement of a smart home AI agent from LG.
The AI agent is a cute little robot with large googly eyes that LG has outfitted with multi-modal technologies for autonomous mobility, advanced communication, and engaging functions to help homeowners with daily chores. A home manager and companion robot to say, the LG’s two-legged, wheeled agent can “move, learn, comprehend and engage in complex conversations.”
Designer: LG
This interesting robotic figure with a headphone-like carrying handle over the head has articulated leg joints for free and independent mobility. The AI robot is based on Qualcomm Robotics RB5 development kit enabling face and companion recognition. This means that the LG smart agent can recognize users, understand and express emotions, and interact verbally. For instance, it “greets homeowners at the front door, discerns their emotions by analyzing their voice and facial expressions, and selects music or other content to suit their mood.”
“Embedded with the ability to process natural language, the robotic smart home AI agent can “understand context and intentions” to “actively communicate with users.” This is made possible with built-in sensors, camera, and a speaker. These together also put a lot of other interesting aspects to the robotic abilities of the AI agent. It can double as a mobile smart hub in the house allowing you to connect with and control IoT devices, and note temperature, indoor air quality, and humidity.
Since the little guy can move around the house quite like the humans, it can patrol the confines on your behalf to notify if you have left a window open or an appliance turned on. By this concept, it can also work as a house guard and pet monitor sending timely alerts if any unusual activity is detected or the pet needs attention. As a partner to the seniors at home, AI agent can provide reminders to take medications or manage personal schedules. With a robot capable of endless features, LG aims to “liberate” us “from the burden of housework.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of technological innovation, one cannot underestimate the power of collaboration between academia and industry. A prime example of this synergy is the groundbreaking concept design project “Forme,” born from a collaboration between Korea Design Membership and LG Electronics in 2022. This visionary project aims to capture the essence of Gen Z’s content consumption habits while redefining the relationship between users and their displays.
Designer: KOREA DESIGN MEMBERSHIP PLUS (Jinwoo Jang, Jae In Lee, Jiung Yun and Jeonghyeon Lee)
People like us, Generation Z, often referred to as digital natives, are reshaping the way people interact with technology. For us, devices are not just tools; they are companions, woven intricately into our daily lives. It’s mostly because we have been born into the age of playing on iPads. (Well, I am a little older than that, so I relate to both sides on a decent level.) “Forme” recognizes this symbiotic relationship and envisions a display that becomes a true ‘Best Friend’ to the Gen Z clan.
From waking up to winding down, Forme seamlessly integrates into the user’s daily routine. This concept acknowledges the strong connection Gen Z has with their devices – sleeping and waking up together, mirroring life patterns, and acting as a canvas for personal expression.
Gen Z yearns for a display that resonates with their emotions, habits, and aspirations. The Forme Display steps into this role as a true confidante – a ‘Best Friend’ who is there through thick and thin. This friendship is underscored by the display’s unique ability to sleep and wake with its user, mirroring the shared moments of rest and rejuvenation. In a society where the boundaries between technology and life are increasingly blurred, this concept breathes life into the display, making it an extension of the self.
The Forme Display ingeniously incorporates an age-old element – window blinds. By drawing inspiration from the familiarity of blinds, the design encapsulates the essence of privacy, control, and versatility. The display itself is reminiscent of a protective roof, a shelter under which Gen Z can express themselves freely. This intuitive design metaphor allows users to easily lift the display, revealing a canvas that showcases not only digital content but also personal mementos, smartphones, and everyday essentials.
The rise of vertical content, synonymous with the snack culture of Gen Z owing to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, is seamlessly accommodated by Forme Display’s innovative structure. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional horizontal displays, this concept embraces the future by harmoniously integrating both formats. The layered structure not only caters to this duality but also provides a visual representation of the blinds’ intricate mechanism.
The Forme Display embodies a delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality. The carefully chosen ‘Rare Low’ material wraps around the body, imparting a sense of intimacy and warmth. This ‘roof’ serves a dual purpose – not only is it visually striking, but it also offers a practical grip to easily lift the display. Meanwhile, the bottom speaker not only enhances audio quality but also contributes to the product’s overall stability. This amalgamation of elements transforms the Forme Display into a piece of art that seamlessly fits into the user’s environment.
In an era characterized by multifunctionality, “Forme” rises to the challenge. It includes provisions to accommodate a smartphone or essential office supplies, showcasing its adaptability to a variety of tasks. Innovation often hinges on achieving balance, and “Forme” achieves this equilibrium in terms of weight and portability. The design takes into consideration the modern Gen Z lifestyle, where mobility is paramount. By incorporating the concept of a ‘roof’ as the main structure, the product maintains a lightweight yet robust disposition, making it an ideal companion for the on-the-go generation.
The Forme Display Concept stands as a beacon of innovation, a harmonious marriage of tradition and cutting-edge technology. It is not merely a display; it is a friend, a confidante, a custodian of memories, and a canvas for expression. As Gen Z navigates the ever-evolving landscape of digital interactions, the Forme Display serves as a constant companion, adapting, evolving, and encapsulating the spirit of a generation. In this era of rapid change, the Forme Display Concept invites us to embrace the future while cherishing the elements that make us who we are.
