LG Rolls Out Premium Smart Aplliances That 'Chat'

LG Electronics (LG) announced the introduction of its premium smart appliances with revolutionary HomeChat messaging service in South Korea. HomeChat employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) and LINE, the popular mobile messenger app with over 300 million users, to let homeowners communicate, control, monitor and share content with LG’s latest smart appliances. Continue...

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Introducing a whole new level of convenience, the company’s premium smart appliance lineup includes a camera-equipped refrigerator, a washing machine that allows users to start and download washing cycles remotely via HomeChat and a Lightwave oven that supports NFC and WiFi for convenient control from any location.

LG HomeChat incorporates the popular LINE application to allow users to receive recommendations and control settings when away from home. With an intuitive interface, HomeChat makes communicating with LG’s smart refrigerator, washing machine or oven much like chatting with a close friend. For extra convenience, the Quick Button feature enables fast and easy access to each appliance’s most commonly used functions. HomeChat also gives users the choice of three different modes: Vacation, Away and Return-home. LG’s new service even brings an element of fun to appliances, offering a selection of over 40 unique LINE stickers to add an enjoyable, personal component to conversations.

“Today’s intelligent home appliances offer a variety of useful functions but many consumers still find setting them up an extremely complicated process.” said Seong-jin Jo, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Appliance Company. “Not only does LG HomeChat help simplify and enhance our products, they also deliver a unique user experience, adding even more value to our customers’ lives.”

LG’s most advanced smart refrigerator incorporates several breakthrough innovations, such as the Smart View feature. Using the industry’s first built-in internal refrigerator camera positioned at the top of the main compartment, users can monitor exactly what’s inside their refrigerator, on their smartphones or tablets. The wide angle camera can show content not only in the upper shelves, but also food items on the bottom-most shelf. The built-in camera detects the opening and closing of the refrigerator, capturing images of the food items stored inside when last opened. Using HomeChat, users can immediately see exactly what they need to buy when they are at the grocery store or supermarket.

Another notable feature is the Smart Manager feature which transforms the refrigerator into a complete food management system. Using the built-in LCD panel or LG Smart Refrigerator smartphone app, users can check the content of their refrigerator without opening the door. The Smart Manager’s Freshness Tracker makes it possible to input a wide range of foods and beverages to keep track of expiration dates. Smart Manager can also recommend meal options based on the ingredients stored in the refrigerator.

LG’s unique Health Manager can make recipe recommendations as well as daily and weekly meal plans based on the user’s personal profile. Age, sex, weight and height information are used to determine body mass index (BMI), which is then used to create an appropriate, personalized meal plan.

Among the groundbreaking innovations in home appliance is the LG Smart washing machine, which allows consumers to remotely control and monitor their LG smart washing machine from outside the home using HomeChat.  By texting start washing cycle when they head for home, LG’s smart washing machine will ensure that the laundry is completed by the time they get home. And by texting what are you doing? users can receive real time updates on the washer’s progress. LG’s smart washing machine is equipped with an intuitive smart touch display that makes it easy to select or download appropriate wash cycles via a WiFi connection.

The LG Smart Lightwave Oven with HomeChat and Recipe Search assists homeowners to converse with their smart LG oven to recommend recipes for specific dishes. Select Return-home using HomeChat and the smart oven will ask, what dish would you like to make today? and open the Recipe Search window. Users can receive alerts on their smartphones when new recipes are available, encouraging family members to try new and interesting dishes.

LG Electronics has once again surpassed consumer expectations with the introduction of the innovative HomeChat compatible refrigerator, washing machine and oven. This accomplishment only secures their place as a global leader in the home appliance industry. After its successful launch in Korea, LG plans to introduce the HomeChat compatible smart refrigerator, washing machine and oven in other markets including the USA.