LG Q9

“Do androids dream of electric sheep?” The title of Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel poses the question of what connects and separates man and machine. Can machines dream? Can they feel? – At least they can model it to make it easier for them to integrate into everyday life. This was also the approach taken by the design team behind the LG Q9. The smart home robot combines technological intelligence with emotional interactivity – so-called “affectionate intelligence”. The aim was to create a friendly, lively appearance that creates a feeling of closeness rather than distance, without humanising or intimidating. The design is modelled on the motif of a curious child – a contrast to cold, perfect machine images. Facial expressions and movements are deliberately designed with slight imperfections, with the idea that small “mistakes” are perceived as likeable characteristics. The Q9 accounts for both functional and emotional needs. A two-legged wheel design ensures smooth, safe mobility; the shape, the choice of materials and the movements of the head support a natural expression. The Q9 owes its ability to act and react to highly developed sensor technology and powerful AI. Facial recognition, multimodal perception and SLAM technology enable safe, autonomous mobility and a sensitive response to the environment. Functionally, the Q9 acts as a mobile smart home hub, controls IoT devices, facilitates household management and monitors the living environment in real time. For example, it detects falls, triggers alarms and offers personalised services based on voice, face, behaviour and activity – including individual education and entertainment offers. It remains to be seen whether the Q9 has dreams – but one thing is certain, its empathetic appearance convinced the jury: “The LG Q9 combines pioneering technology with a new approach to emotional interaction design. Its likeable, lively appearance and empathetic communication create an emotional closeness that was previously rare in everyday life. The Q9 shows how functionality, safety and emotional connection can be harmoniously combined – paving the way for a new generation of interactive products that are close to everyday life.”