Samsung and LG Intensify Rivalry at CES 2025 with Appliance subscriptions, AI Robots, and Humanoid Ambitions
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The battle for dominance in the tech world reached new heights at CES 2025, as Samsung Group and LG Group unveiled aspiring plans to expand into overlapping sectors, including appliance subscriptions, AI-powered home robots, and humanoid robotics. The two South korean conglomerates showcased their latest innovations,signaling a fierce competition for market share and technological leadership.
Appliance Subscriptions: A New Frontier for Growth
At the heart of the rivalry is the burgeoning appliance subscription market, a sector where LG has already established a strong foothold. LG Electronics reported a staggering 2 trillion won ($1.37 billion) in revenue from its subscription business last year, marking a 75% increase from the previous year. The company’s success is attributed to its 5,000 care managers, who provide expert maintenance and support for subscribed appliances.
“Our clear strength is that we have over 5,000 care managers, each of whom is an expert in caring for subscribed appliances,” said LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan during a press conference. “Subscription isn’t simply an installment plan — it is about care. Our strength comes from the expertise, network, and experience of our care managers.”
Not to be outdone, Samsung electronics announced plans to expand its subscription service, which launched last month with offerings like AI-powered TVs, refrigerators, washers, and vacuums. The company’s CEO, Han Jong-hee, revealed that the subscription program will soon include Galaxy smartphones and ballie, Samsung’s AI-driven home robot.
“Though we are a latecomer, our subscription business is showing enormous growth, and several new models will be coming into the subscription program, so you can expect our subscription business to hit its stride,” Han said.
AI Robots: Ballie vs. Q9
The competition extends beyond subscriptions into the realm of AI-powered home robots. Both companies confirmed that their respective robots — Samsung’s Ballie and LG’s Q9 — will hit the market this year.
During a closed-door exhibition at Caesars Palace in las vegas, Samsung showcased Ballie, a compact AI robot designed to assist with household tasks and provide personalized services. Meanwhile,LG unveiled its Q9 self-driving AI home hub,which promises to revolutionize home automation with its advanced capabilities.
The CEOs of both companies emphasized the growing importance of robotics in their future strategies. “robots will be a core focus in the future,” said Han,adding that humanoid robots are set to take center stage in the industry.
Humanoid Robots: The Next Frontier
Both Samsung and LG are betting big on humanoid robotics, a sector that is rapidly gaining traction globally. Samsung recently invested in a robotics subsidiary, signaling its commitment to accelerating its humanoid plans.
“The global industry’s plans for humanoids are picking up speed,” Han noted. “Samsung also should accelerate its humanoid plans.”
Similarly,LG’s cho highlighted the company’s interest in humanoid robots,stating that LG is considering increasing its stake in a robotics firm it invested in last year.
Key takeaways
| Aspect | Samsung | LG |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|————————————————————————|
| Appliance Subscriptions | Expanding to include Galaxy smartphones and Ballie | 2 trillion won revenue in 2024, 5,000 care managers |
| AI Robots | Ballie: AI-powered home robot | Q9: Self-driving AI home hub |
| Humanoid Robotics | Investing in robotics subsidiary, accelerating humanoid plans | Considering increased stake in robotics firm |
The Road Ahead
As Samsung and LG continue to push the boundaries of innovation, their rivalry is set to shape the future of consumer technology. From appliance subscriptions to AI robots and humanoid ambitions, both companies are vying for leadership in a rapidly evolving market.
What do you think about the future of AI-powered home robots and appliance subscriptions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For more updates on the latest in tech innovation, stay tuned to our coverage of CES 2025.
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This article is based on exclusive reporting from The Korea Times. For more details, visit the original article here.The global semiconductor industry is witnessing a fierce competition between two South Korean giants, LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, as they vie for dominance in the production of advanced chip substrates. At the heart of this rivalry are two key technologies: flip chip-ball grid array (FC-BGA) substrates and next-generation glass substrates. Both companies showcased their latest advancements at CES 2025, signaling a new chapter in the race to power the world’s AI-driven technologies.
The FC-BGA Battle: A Race for AI Processor Dominance
FC-BGA substrates, essential for high-performance microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), and chipsets, are in high demand due to the global surge in AI processor advancement. LG Innotek, a relatively late entrant to the FC-BGA market, has begun mass-producing these substrates for a major North American tech company. During an interview at CES 2025,LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo acknowledged the company’s smaller share in the global production capacity but expressed confidence in its future growth.
“Since we are a late starter, our FC-BGA production capacity accounts for a small portion in the global production capacity,” Moon said. However, he emphasized the company’s expertise in camera modules, which has enabled a high level of automation in its plants. “When we reach that level, we will have greater cost competitiveness as well as higher yield (than Samsung electro-Mechanics),” he added.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics, conversely, has been a key player in the FC-BGA market, trailing closely behind Japanese and Taiwanese leaders. CEO Chang Duck-hyun revealed during a press conference that the company is in negotiations with global tech giants for FC-BGA supply, particularly for AI server and cloud businesses. “We are in negotiation with global big tech firms on FC-BGA,” Chang told Yonhap News Agency, hinting at the growing demand for AI-related infrastructure.
Glass Substrates: The Next Frontier
While FC-BGA substrates are critical for current technologies, both companies are also investing heavily in glass substrates, a next-generation innovation poised to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing. glass substrates offer a smoother surface, enabling ultra-fine circuit patterns and significantly improving semiconductor performance. According to industry experts,glass substrates can increase semiconductor speeds by up to 40% while reducing power consumption by half.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to begin mass-producing glass substrates in 2027, with CEO Chang announcing that the company will supply samples to two to three clients. “We will supply samples to two to three clients,” Chang said during a press conference at CES 2025. LG Innotek, simultaneously occurring, is not far behind. CEO Moon revealed that the company will start producing glass substrate samples in the latter half of this year, targeting server chips as the primary application.
A Competitive Landscape
The competition between LG Innotek and samsung Electro-Mechanics reflects the broader dynamics of the semiconductor industry,where innovation and efficiency are key to staying ahead. Below is a summary of the key developments from both companies:
| Aspect | LG Innotek | Samsung Electro-Mechanics |
|————————–|——————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| FC-BGA Production | began mass production for a North american tech company; aims for higher yield| In negotiations with global tech firms for AI server and cloud applications |
| Glass Substrates | Plans to produce samples in late 2025 | Will mass-produce glass substrates starting in 2027 |
| Market Position | Late entrant with high automation and cost competitiveness goals | Established player with strong market presence |
The Road ahead
As the demand for AI processors and advanced semiconductors continues to grow, the competition between LG Innotek and samsung Electro-Mechanics is set to intensify. Both companies are leveraging their strengths—LG Innotek with its automation expertise and Samsung Electro-Mechanics with its established market position—to capture a larger share of the global market.
The development of glass substrates, in particular, represents a critically important leap forward, offering a solution to the challenges posed by the miniaturization of semiconductor manufacturing. As these technologies mature, they will not only shape the future of the semiconductor industry but also drive innovation across a wide range of applications, from AI servers to consumer electronics.
For more insights into the evolving landscape of semiconductor technologies, explore how hyperlinking in journalism can provide deeper context to industry developments. Additionally, the role of hyperlinks in data seeking highlights the importance of obvious sourcing in understanding complex topics like semiconductor innovation.SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won made waves at CES 2025 this week, signaling a significant milestone for the conglomerate’s materials unit, SKC. During his visit to the group’s booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Chey revealed that SKC had already secured a client for its cutting-edge glass substrates, despite the product still being in the pre-mass production phase. “I just sold SKC’s glass substrates,” he stated,hinting at a major breakthrough in the competitive glass substrate market.
The declaration positions SKC as a strong contender in a field traditionally dominated by industry giants like Samsung and LG. Glass substrates are a critical component in advanced semiconductor manufacturing,offering superior performance for next-generation chips. SKC’s early lead in this market could reshape the dynamics of the global semiconductor supply chain.
Speculation is rife that Chey’s confident statement followed a meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was also present at CES 2025. While details of their discussion remain undisclosed, the timing suggests a potential collaboration between SKC and Nvidia, a leader in AI and GPU technology. Such a partnership could accelerate the adoption of SKC’s glass substrates in high-performance computing applications.
The glass substrate market is poised for exponential growth as demand for faster, more efficient semiconductors surges. SKC’s ability to secure a client ahead of mass production underscores its technological prowess and strategic foresight. This development also highlights SK Group’s broader ambitions to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position in the global tech ecosystem.
Key Highlights from CES 2025
| Key point | Details |
|—————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| SKC’s Glass Substrates | Pre-mass production phase, but already secured a client. |
| Chey Tae-won’s Statement| “I just sold SKC’s glass substrates.” |
| Potential Collaboration | Speculated meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. |
| Market Impact | SKC challenges Samsung and LG in the glass substrate market. |
SK Group’s presence at CES 2025 underscores its commitment to innovation and global expansion. the company’s booth showcased a range of cutting-edge technologies, with SKC’s glass substrates stealing the spotlight.As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, SKC’s early success could pave the way for broader adoption of its products, solidifying its role as a key player in the tech landscape.For more insights into the latest developments in the semiconductor industry, explore how SK Group is shaping the future of technology.
The future of AI-powered home robots and appliance subscriptions is poised to be transformative, driven by rapid advancements in AI, robotics, and semiconductor technologies. The competition between industry giants like LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics highlights the critical role of innovation in shaping this future. here are some key thoughts on the potential trajectory of these technologies:
AI-Powered Home Robots
- Enhanced Automation and Personalization: AI-powered home robots will likely become more sophisticated, offering personalized assistance tailored to individual household needs. From cleaning and maintenance to companionship and security, these robots will integrate seamlessly into daily life.
- Integration with Smart Home Ecosystems: As smart home technologies evolve, AI robots will increasingly interact with other connected devices, creating a cohesive and efficient home environment. This integration will enhance convenience and energy efficiency.
- Affordability and Accessibility: As production scales and technologies mature, the cost of AI-powered home robots is expected to decrease, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Subscription models could further democratize access, allowing users to upgrade or replace robots as new features become available.
Appliance Subscriptions
- Flexibility and Convenience: Appliance subscription services offer consumers the flexibility to access the latest technologies without the upfront cost of ownership. This model is particularly appealing in a rapidly evolving tech landscape,where new features and improvements are continuously introduced.
- Sustainability: Subscription models can promote sustainability by encouraging the reuse and recycling of appliances. Companies can refurbish and redistribute older models, reducing electronic waste and promoting a circular economy.
- Customization and Upgrades: Subscriptions allow users to customize their appliance packages based on changing needs and preferences. Regular upgrades ensure that consumers always have access to the latest innovations, enhancing their overall experience.
The Role of Advanced Semiconductors
The advancements in FC-BGA and glass substrates are crucial for the development of AI-powered home robots and smart appliances. These technologies enable higher performance, energy efficiency, and miniaturization, which are essential for creating compact, powerful, and reliable devices. As LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics continue to innovate, the semiconductor industry will play a pivotal role in driving the next wave of technological breakthroughs.
Challenges and Considerations
- Privacy and Security: As AI robots and smart appliances become more integrated into daily life, ensuring data privacy and security will be paramount.Robust cybersecurity measures will be essential to protect user data and maintain trust.
- Ethical Implications: The widespread adoption of AI-powered robots raises ethical questions about job displacement and the impact on human interactions. It will be notable to address these concerns through thoughtful regulation and societal dialog.
- Interoperability: Ensuring that different devices and platforms can work together seamlessly will be critical for the success of AI-powered home ecosystems.Industry standards and collaboration will be key to achieving this goal.
the future of AI-powered home robots and appliance subscriptions is shining, with immense potential to enhance our daily lives. The ongoing competition and innovation in the semiconductor industry will be a driving force behind these advancements, shaping a future where technology is more integrated, personalized, and enduring. As we look forward to CES 2025 and beyond, it will be exciting to see how these technologies continue to evolve and transform our world.
