This Humanoid Robot Could Make Housework ‘a Thing of the Past’

Household drudgery may finally be on the chopping block: LG Electronics is declaring an end to everyday chore fatigue with the public debut of its AI-powered CLOiD home robot at CES 2026, following a Jan. 4 announcement.

Designed to think, move, and act across the modern smart home, CLOiD coordinates tasks between connected appliances to dramatically cut the time and physical effort spent on housework. The robot integrates into LG’s ThinQ ecosystem alongside the Self-Driving AI Home Hub (LG Q9), signaling a bold step forward in AI-driven home robotics.

Steve Baek, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company, stated in a press release:

“We will continue our relentless efforts to achieve our Zero Labor Home vision, making housework a thing of the past so that customers can spend more time on the things that really matter.”

LG has not yet announced a price or commercial release date for the CLOiD home robot.

The robot’s unique features

According to LG Electronics, the robot is designed in a humanoid form, with a head and a tiltable torso that allows the robot to increase its height. The height flexibility enables the robot to pick up objects above its knee level, a non-negotiable feature for a robot made for home chores.

Built to permit seven degrees of freedom, its arms are articulated, resembling those of a human in structure and functions. To further enhance the arms’ flexibility, the robot’s shoulders, elbows, and wrist joints can move forward and backward, and also rotate and move laterally. 

Each wrist’s pliability, when combined with five independent fingers, enables CLOiD to manipulate objects with detailed precision.

Below the torso is a wheeled base for easy locomotion. Embedded with LG’s Q9 technology, which facilitates autonomous driving, for safety and cost effectiveness. The technology powering the torso also allows the robot to move with stability, effectively reducing the risks of tipping if it comes in contact with an obstacle. 

Just as a human’s head contains the brain and four other sense organs, CLOiD is built to mimic such a familiar design found in other robots. Fitted within the head is an AI-powered chipset that serves as the robot’s brain, coordinating the sensors, speakers, and other components.

A blend of various AI forms

The robot combines the power of generative and physical AI to achieve a consistent flow in home-based interactions.

Its visual and auditory sensors work closely together to allow the robot to interact with humans. According to LG, this enables it to understand facial expressions and learn about the living environment and habitual patterns of its users.

The visual abilities of CLOiD extend far beyond sight and interpretations. It uses Vision Language Model (VLM) to convert images and videos into language-based understanding.

Additionally, its Vision Language Action (VLA) converts visual and verbal inputs into physical actions, enabling it to tidy up unkept rooms, among other things, without being told to.

Building on LG’s own products

ThinQ is LG’s smart AI hub, an ecosystem where various LG appliances and electronics connect and work in installed homes.

LG has stated in their announcement that this robot would run internally on their ThinQ platform, allowing it broader control over multiple smart home appliances. With this control in place, its vision of a truly zero-labor home draws nearer.

The company coupled the CLOiD announcement with the launch of the LG Actuator AXIUM, a critical and cost-intensive component. Functioning as the robot’s joint, the actuator delivers the precision required while offering a light, compact, and highly efficient design.

LG’s future plans

LG, a leading company in electronic and home-appliance products, is doubling down on its efforts to gain greater influence in the robotic industry, especially in home robots.

The plan will, in the future, birth robots built into specific LG appliances. Robotic refrigerators, for instance, will open automatically once they sense a person walking towards them. To LG, this is their way of participating in the AI race, with an end goal of turning every home into an AI home.

For a look at how robots are already stepping into environments too dangerous for humans — from bomb squads to deep-sea and nuclear work — check out this roundup of the top machines reshaping high-risk jobs.

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