LG Energy Solution ventures beyond batteries to cover software, ESS

Electric vehicle (EV) battery maker LG Energy Solution is bolstering new businesses to expand its reach beyond EVs into battery maintenance solutions and energy storage systems (ESS). The expansion is in line with the company's vision, announced last year, to expand its business beyond hardware into software and services. This includes battery management systems, which are emerging as a core technology for battery safety, as well as building a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) ecosystem to expand service businesses like battery leasing, rentals and recycling. The company currently runs B.around, a signature brand for its business management total solution business. Advanced from existing battery management solutions, software from B.around diagnoses a battery's safety level, remaining battery life and degradation in real time based on artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies. The brand also offers platforms for software-defined vehicles. The company said B.around has advanced its algorithm with information on battery cells from diverse EVs to boost accuracy for battery prognosis by