Samsung Electronics on Jan. 11 unveiled the robot vacuum cleaner JetBot AI at CES 2021, the world's largest trade event for household electronics. (Samsung Electronics)

By Park Hyeri and Lee Jihae

Korean companies on Jan. 11 showcased state-of-the-art technology and innovative products on the opening day of CES 2021, the world's largest trade event for household electronics.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event is being held online for the first time since its launch in 1967, with 1,954 corporations from 130 countries participating including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Intel, GM and Mercedes-Benz. 

Korea has the second-highest number of participating companies with 340 after the U.S. (570).

Sebastian Seung, head of Samsung Research, introduces (from left to right) Samsung Bot Care, JetBot AI and Samsung Bot Handy. (Samsung Electronics)

Samsung Electronics introduced a slew of innovative products combining new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things. Unveiled at an online news conference on opening day, JetBot AI is the world's first robot vacuum cleaner to contain AI solutions with a higher level of object recognition and self-driving after finding optimal paths on its own. It applies the SmartThings Pet service to allow users to check on their pets via video and remotely control air conditioners and purifiers.

Samsung Bot Handy, a new home service robot still in the research stage, was also unveiled. In performing household chores, this device is aware of the locations and forms of objects and grabs and carries the items itself.

With many people not going out due to the pandemic, Samsung showcased AI-based services, lifestyle and electronic appliances, and TV products to raise convenience in doing activities like cooking and exercising at home.

The LG Rollable smartphone was unveiled at the online news conference of CES 2021. (LG Electronics)

LG Electronics also unveiled products tailored to individual lifestyles. The smartphone LG Rollable was shown at the beginning and end of the online conference, featuring an expandable screen and earning more attention from the global market than other smartphones. 

LG ClOi DisinfectBot is a premium household appliance that boosts health and sanitation functions by disinfecting certain places and performing quarantine amid COVID-19. And the new TV line OLED evo boasts clearer and brighter image quality than its predecessors. 

A featured attraction was Keem Reah, a virtual human made with AI technology whose name means "a child who came from the future." She creates lively movements by learning to produce 3D images through AI-powered deep learning technology. 

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups each established a website to promote Korea's small and medium companies and startups at CES 2021. Each site will retain data on products featured at the event for a month after it ends on Jan. 14.

Trade Ministry's 2021 CES Korea Pavilion: www.ces2021korea.com
SME Ministry's K-Startup: www.kstartupces2021.com

Virtual human Keem Reah is a product of LG Electronics through the use of AI technology. (LG Electronics)