LG Hub Robot release date, specs, price news: LG unveils futuristic smart home robot with Amazon Alexa

LG announced the expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) ecosystem with the arrival of futuristic robots including the Hub Robot, a device that enhances families' day-to-day experiences by connecting to other smart appliances at home.

Equipped with Amazon Alexa's voice recognition technology, users will be able to issue voice commands to the LG Hub Robot to accomplish household tasks like turning on the air conditioner or changing the dryer cycle. It features an interactive display that can show images of the refrigerator's content as well as pictures of recipes that are accompanied by step-by-step audio instructions.

Aside from household tasks, the LG Hub Robot also acts as a personal assistant that provides entertainment and organization at home. It can play music, set alarms, create reminders and calendar events and provide weather and traffic updates. It also monitors the home especially after all the family members have left.

The LG Hub Robot has an amiable and anthropomorphic design. It recognizes each of the family members' faces with its camera so it can be programmed to have a different greeting for each member as it interacts with them. The robot can also move and swivel in place, as well as nod its head when answering questions. Furthermore, the Hub Robot even can even express a wide range of emotions.

With these features and capabilities in mind, it is ideal to put the Hub Robot in a common area like the kitchen or the living room. LG also announced plans to introduce mini robots in the future. These can be placed in different rooms and will extend the functions of the Hub Robot.

Apart from the Hub Robot, LG also introduced the Airport Guide Robot, the Airport Cleaning Robot and the Lawn Mowing Robot at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

"LG has been involved in smart technology and robotics for many years with the HOM-BOT robot vacuum cleaner being out most visible consumer effort. Here at CES, we're demonstrating how we're taking the knowledge gleaned from years of research and applying that to various situations inside and outside the home," said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics and Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company.

Pricing and availability of LG's new robots have yet to be announced.