**Reaffirmation of K-appliances and IT Leadership**
At CES 2025, Korean companies showcased their robust presence across various sectors:
– **Samsung** focused on screen-based appliance monitoring.
– **LG** unveiled a mobility experience platform.
– **Ceragem** and **Bodyfriend** spotlighted home healthcare.
– **Samsung SDI** introduced specialized ESS technology.
Korean companies are facing threats from US protectionism and China’s technological offensive. With the upcoming Trump administration imposing high tariffs on Mexico and Canada, concerns arise about potential impacts on Korean businesses.
Despite such challenges, Korean companies asserted their leadership in home appliances and IT at CES 2025, unveiling advanced technologies in smart homes, digital health, energy, and drones.
**Smart Home Initiatives:**
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics launched the “AI Home” to lead the global smart home market, focusing on AI appliances and IoT device management. Enhanced AI technology promises an advanced and convenient smart lifestyle.
– *Samsung Electronics* presented its AI Home strategy under “AI for All: Expansion of Experience and Innovation.” With embedded touchscreens in major appliances like refrigerators and washers, Samsung demonstrated its capability for screen-based appliance monitoring and control. This innovation allows appliance management without needing to activate the IoT platform “SmartThings” app.
– *LG Electronics* expanded the AI Home into a mobility space with the Mobility Experience (MX) platform. This platform enables customization of vehicle interiors with AI appliances and IoT devices, integrating the previously introduced AI Home Hub “LG ThinQ On” to offer personalized services via generative AI.
Beyond Samsung and LG, Korean companies excel in new sectors like digital health and energy. Korean companies secured 22 out of 44 innovation awards in the digital health category, with Ceragem and Bodyfriend winning six and three awards respectively.
– *Ceragem* unveiled products like the “Home Therapy Booth” single-person sauna, the “Home Medicare Bed 2.0,” and the “Smart Headboard,” aiming to transform into a comprehensive home healthcare company.
– *Bodyfriend* showcased healthcare robotics technologies through products like the “Standing Robo,” the massage sofa “Family C,” and the massage chair bed “Eden Robo.”
The top innovation award went to Hanyang University for the TD Square, a digital tinnitus treatment device combining auditory, visual, and tactile feedback systems with virtual reality.
Korean companies are also recognized for technologies specialized in electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). Samsung SDI received awards for its improvements in energy density and safety in its electric vehicle batteries and other battery technologies.
The robotics AI-based automation company *Tote* introduced technology to automate battery disassembly through AI-based systems.
In the drone market, Korean companies claimed four out of five innovation awards. *Weflow* won for its drone inspection solutions utilizing non-contact sensors and AI-based diagnostics, and *Nearthlab* was awarded for its fully autonomous drone solutions. *Hanseo University* received CES innovation awards for its underground exploration drone and non-propeller drone.
Korean companies continue to showcase their cutting-edge developments and maintain a strong presence on the global stage.