LG Electronics has kicked off the first of the major CES press events with a big focus on applications integrated devices and what the Korean Company is describing as a new generation of smart technology, such as appliances that can be controlled from a tablet or Smartphone.
Also on the launch agenda was a robot cleaner that can be controlled from any IP enabled device.
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Using new “LG THINQ” branding LG is set to restructure their marketing to focus on five key features, dubbed Smart Grid, “Smart Diagnosis,” “Smart Access,” “Smart Adapt,” and the intriguing “Food Management.”
In Australia a Country that was missing from a line-up of Countries where the technology was going to be launched the Company is set to use the new innovations to basically re launch the Companies technology platform said LG Korea executives.
And in what is shaping up to be an a Smart Appliances battle in Australia between LG and Samsung LG is confident that new technology will give them an advantage.
“Consumers will be more empowered when doing household tasks due to more efficient, controllable, and ecofriendly appliance options,” said Young-ha Lee, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Appliance Company.
“This isn’t a gradual evolution – LG THINQ technology essentially transforms how consumers take care of their home, and makes it easier and smarter than ever before.”
Each appliance supports smart metering to ensure that appliances use the minimum amount of energy at the least expensive rates as possible. When switched on, consumers have the choice of using “Recommend Time,” which does the washing at the nearest, most cost-effective time or immediately if there are no off-peak electricity options available anytime soon. Alternatively, users can opt for “Lowest Rate,” which finds the time when electricity rates are at their lowest. Consumers can also select the washing time themselves, and if they have to do the washing at a peak time, the washing machine will recommend the most energy-efficient cycle.
Also using smart grid-based intelligence, LG’s ovens offer three cost options: low, middle and high; that take into account both the duration of the cooking cycle and varying costs of electricity. Similarly, LG’s refrigerators can use a unique algorithm to adjust various functions, such as defrost time control, to offer further savings on energy bills at peak times. LG’s new refrigerators even count and display the frequency at which homeowners open the refrigerator door, the greatest drain on refrigeration energy.
The LCD display on LG’s smart appliances show daily, weekly or monthly reports detailing the appliance’s overall levels of energy consumption and associated costs. Daily totals for electricity usage and subsequent charges will be accessible on smartphones and tablet PCs.
LG’s “Smart Diagnosis” is a troubleshooting feature that helps customer service representatives quickly solve mechanical issues over the phone, limiting costly service calls and in-home visits. For minor problems (refrigerator door left open, ice-maker switched off, washing machine off-balance) the appliance alerts the owner either on its display panel or for future models, via a Wi-Fi connection, on the consumer’s smartphone or tablet PC.
For laundry units, when consumers call the LG customer service center, a technician will instruct them to press a sequence of buttons. This triggers a series of tones that let the technician identify the issue and how to correct the problem. Consumers can also diagnose their washing machines at home via a downloadable mobile application on their smartphone.
LG Smart Access makes it possible for homeowners to monitor and control home appliances remotely from outside of the home. Using a smartphone or tablet PC, users can manage their washing cycle or set their refrigerator temperature while they’re away. Alert messages will be sent to the user’s smartphone or tablet PC for items such as the end of a washing cycle or a potential product issue.
Attention futurists: consumers will even be able to order their HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner to tidy up their home while they’re out, or use the vacuum’s viewing function to keep watch when they are away from home. Via a smartphone or tablet PC, consumers may even have the option to have HOM-BOT feed their pet while they’re away!
LG Smart Adapt is a firmware update service which allows users to download the latest software upgrades for their appliances via a Wi-Fi connection. According to LG, “with this innovation, consumers will be able to access up-to-date pre-programmed recipes as well as advanced cycles for their washing machines. A mother with a newborn child might opt for special delicate washing cycles for the baby’s clothes, while individuals involved in particularly strenuous work might need to add a more heavy-duty wash cycle to their laundry unit.”
Finally, LG’s Food Management Solution is embedded food inventory software with the ability to track expiration dates of a refrigerator’s contents. By dragging and dropping food icons on the refrigerator’s LCD display or by using the voice recognition function, users can easily identify what is in the refrigerator, as well as where certain items are located and when they expire. This information is also accessible via smartphone or tablet PC, allowing consumers to reference this while grocery shopping.
