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- LG CNS will open a new Silicon Valley R&D center to focus on AI and robotics foundation models.
- This is LG Group’s second U.S. R&D lab, following a decade-long presence tied to its webOS acquisition.
- The initiative strengthens LG’s AI strategy, combining internal research with partnerships like Cohere and Skild AI.
- The move highlights intensifying competition for AI talent and Silicon Valley’s role as the global innovation hub.
LG CNS, the IT services arm of South Korea’s LG Electronics, is expanding its international research presence with plans to establish a new research and development (R&D) center in Silicon Valley.
The upcoming facility will focus heavily on next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, including the development of a robotics foundation model.
This initiative underscores LG Group’s ongoing commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of global technological innovation.
LG doubles down on U.S. research footprint
The new R&D lab will be the second for LG Group in Silicon Valley, following LG Electronics’ own center that was established more than a decade ago.
Back in 2013, LG made a landmark acquisition of Hewlett-Packard’s webOS platform to enhance its smart TV portfolio. Alongside the deal came a core team of engineers based in Sunnyvale and San Francisco, signaling LG’s recognition of Silicon Valley’s value as both a talent pool and a knowledge hub.
By adding LG CNS to the fold, the company is not only extending its presence but also diversifying the type of technology being developed in the U.S. while reinforcing its reputation as a consistent investor in Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem.
Betting big on AI and robotics models
At the heart of the new lab’s mission is the development of foundation models for artificial intelligence and robotics.
Foundation models or large-scale AI systems designed to be fine-tuned for a variety of applications, are fast becoming the backbone of next-generation software.
By pairing this with robotics, LG CNS aims to create scalable systems that could support automation across manufacturing, logistics, consumer electronics, and smart cities.
The timing of this move is especially notable given the intensifying competition among global technology companies for top AI talent. Establishing a lab within Silicon Valley ensures proximity not only to engineers and data scientists but also to startups and venture capital networks that continue to drive AI innovation worldwide.
Partnerships fuel broader AI ambitions
LG CNS has already been building momentum in AI through a series of high-profile partnerships. The company recently collaborated with Canadian AI startup Cohere to explore new language model applications.
In June 2025, LG also participated in a Series B funding round for Skild AI, a U.S.-based robotics firm developing advanced autonomous systems.
This dual-track strategy of investing in promising startups while building its own R&D infrastructure reflects LG’s recognition of how competitive the AI race has become. With Silicon Valley boasting nearly four times the AI startup activity of New York, the region provides LG with access to both cutting-edge research and seasoned technical experts who can accelerate its foundation model projects.
Long-term vision for global competitiveness
Industry analysts say the expansion of LG CNS into Silicon Valley highlights the group’s decade-long approach to global research.
If successful, the new lab could serve as a launchpad for advanced robotics and AI technologies that ripple across LG’s diverse businesses, from consumer electronics to industrial automation. It also reinforces the idea that for multinational corporations, long-term success in AI hinges not only on capital but also on sustained presence in the ecosystems where breakthroughs are born.
