LG Innotek, Boston Dynamics team up to develop Atlas eyes

LG Innotek Co., a leading South Korean electronics parts maker, will jointly develop new vision sensing systems with Boston Dynamics Inc., a major global mobile robot developer, for the latter’s humanoid robot, Atlas.

On Monday, the two companies announced their joint project, which is expected to help the Korean partner accelerate its foray into new growth areas, including robot components and automotive parts for autonomous driving.

According to the agreement, LG Innotek will lead the development of a new vision sensing system integrated with various sensing components, including camera and 3D sensing modules. Boston Dynamics will be in charge of developing software that will be used to process data obtained through vision sensors.

The new vision system will be installed in the next generation of Atlas, Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot, to function as its eyes, which will be able to “detect and perceive” its surroundings even during low visibility or poor weather conditions, according to Boston Dynamics.

“We’re excited to partner with LG Innotek to drive innovation and redefine the development of robot eyes,” said Robert Playter, chief executive officer of Boston Dynamics. “It is my hope that by working together, we will develop groundbreaking vision systems that are as advanced as the cameras in our mobile phones.”

The partnership comes as LG Innotek has been actively expanding its presence in new businesses, such as automotive parts for self-driving cars, robot components and flip chip ball grid array (FC-BGA) substrates, beyond camera modules for smart devices.

“By collaborating with Boston Dynamics, a world leader in robotics, LG Innotek will gain an advantage in the robotics components market,” said LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo.

TO LESSEN RELIANCE ON APPLE

LG Innotek has been seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Apple Inc. for its earnings.

As the world’s first developer of a 3D sensing module in 2019, LG Innotek had dominated its supply to the iPhone maker for use in the latter’s smart devices, mainly virtual-reality headsets, the Vision Pro.

It has also been a major supplier of camera modules for the iPhone series.

But as Apple has diversified its camera and 3D sensor module suppliers, LG Innotek has been under pressure to discover new markets and new customers.

A 3D sensing module is used to precisely capture the optical images of faces and objects.

Along with camera modules, 3D sensing modules are LG Innotek’s core growth pillar of its optical solutions division.

In recent years, many of its rivals have, however, jumped into the market, eating at LG Innotek's market share.

To deepen its penetration in the robot parts market, LG Innotek joined the roster of backers of Figure AI, a Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in the development of human-like robots, during its $675 million funding round earlier last year.

In April, it also signed a memorandum of understanding with KAIST to develop future technology focusing on robotics.

LG Innotek said it plans to expand its collaboration with Boston Dynamics beyond optical sensors by leveraging its other original technologies.  

Earlier this year, Boston Dynamics unveiled its new, all-electric Atlas, designed for real-world applications after retiring its hydraulic Atlas.

It became a member of Hyundai Motor Group in 2021 after the Korean auto giant acquired the majority stake in the company. 

Write to Jeong-Soo Hwang at hjs@hankyung.com

Sookyung Seo edited this article.