LG Electronics unveils robotic vacuum for hotel cleaning, plans Marriott pilot

The LG Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is designed for expansive spaces like banquet spaces and guest room corridors. | Source: LG Electronics

LG Electronics USA Inc. this week introduced a commercial-grade autonomous vacuum cleaner it developed with the Marriott Design Lab. The LG Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is now available to the hospitality industry following implementation pilots at Marriott International properties.

“This is a prime example of how our collaboration with the Marriott Design Lab is advancing innovation for the entire industry,” stated Michael Kosla, the senior vice president of LG Electronics USA.

“The LG Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is a robust, user-friendly vacuum cleaning solution that hotel associates can operate, providing the best possible automated vacuum cleaning of floors in corridors and meeting spaces,” he said. “With demand increasing for commercial robotic vacuum cleaners and other innovations, we look forward to working with the Marriott Design Lab to bring a whole range of innovations to market.”

Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based LG Electronics is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a Seoul, South Korea-based $68 billion global developer of technology and manufacturing. In the U.S., LG sells a wide range of home appliances, entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, and vehicle components.

Technical details about the robot

LG said it designed the vacuum’s powerful suction capabilities to meet the demands of commercial environments like hotels and resorts. The robot is ideal for cleaning expansive areas like banquet spaces and guestroom corridors overnight, minimizing guest disruption. However, it can also handle smaller spaces like corridors and meeting spaces without getting stuck.

The system is equipped with lidar, vision, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) sensor fusion technology to measure distance with precision, even in difficult-to-navigate environments. The LG Robotic Vacuum cleaner provides cleaning based on a custom map tailored to each hotel. Its 3-liter (0.7 gal.) capacity dustbin handles larger debris, such as paper scraps, using two cleaning methods: suction and sweeping.

The robot comes with a multi-language mobile app and a cloud-based management platform. These allow real-time access to cleaning progress, battery level, location, and other data points.

The system allows hotel operators to efficiently manage multiple units within a building simultaneously. It also generates statistical data based on cleaning history, offering enhanced operational insights.

The LG Robotic Vacuum Cleaner has a 3-liter capacity dustbin. | Source: LG Electronics

LG collaborates with Marriott

“The LG Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is the result of collaboration between Marriott Design Lab and LG as we leverage a shared dedication to reimagining hospitality operations,” said Robert Guidice, chief global operations officer for Marriott International. “By working together to develop and test new technologies and solutions, we aim to help hospitality associates work smarter and deliver innovations to market that will benefit the entire hospitality industry.”

The Marriott Design Lab serves as a research and development hub working at the edge of design and innovation. It provides a proving ground for technology products and services that can be integrated into daily hotel operations. The organization’s goal is to save energy, increase operational efficiency, and encourage customer loyalty through enhanced experiences.

This partnership builds on LG’s history as an approved Marriott International vendor and leading provider of hotel televisions to Marriott properties across various brands.

LG has recently been further investing in robotics. In January, it secured a majority stake in Bear Robotics Inc., an autonomous service robot developer in Silicon Valley. LG said the acquisition aligns with its strategy to strengthen its presence in the robotics sector, a key growth area for the company.

As part of this strategic move, LG’s commercial robot business, primarily centered around the LG CLOi service robots, will be integrated with Bear Robotics’ line.