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LG smart appliances deliver connectivity and efficiency

DUBAI - LG Electronics unveiled a series of new smart appliances at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that reflect the company’s vision for a more connected, eco-friendly lifestyle.

Underpinned by the evolving Smart ThinQ technology, the new smart appliances are equipped with innovative device-to-device connectivity features and the Home Energy Management System (HeMS). With such technological advances, LG is opening up a new era in user convenient and efficient home management with savings in energy and electricity bills.

“LG’s leadership in smart appliance development has been in pursuing technological advancements that will make customers’ lives more convenient and ultimately upgrade their quality of life,” said Moon-bum Shin, executive vice-president and CEO of LG Electronics Home Appliance Company. “Device-to-device connectivity with smartphones and between LG appliances is a new and exciting way for us to realise this goal. By doing so, LG can help customers handle their housework in a smarter manner by saving time, money and energy.”

LG has differentiated its smart appliances with LG’s advanced and highly complementary technologies. LG’s four Core Technologies — the Linear Compressor, the Inverter Direct Drive, the Infrared Grill technology and the Kompressor technology — enable superior performance, while Smart ThinQ technologies — Smart Manager, Smart Diagnosis, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid — bring smart savings and enhanced convenience to consumers. Technology enthusiasts will notice that LG’s Smart ThinQ technologies have evolved a great deal since their introduction at CES 2011. Furthermore, LG’s smart refrigerators and smart washing machines are now connected to Smart TVs, which enables convenient monitoring of the operational status of the two appliances.

Device-to-device connectivity

The most surprising feature among this year’s LG smart appliances is undoubtedly the enhanced device-to-device connectivity, which enables LG’s smart refrigerators and smart washing machines to be monitored from a Smart TV, or a smartphone. For instance, customers can check the laundry status from their TV screen without being physically present in the laundry room.

The smart refrigerator

Underpinned by the company’s signature Linear Compressor, which comes with a 10-year warranty, LG’s showpiece smart French-door refrigerator is equipped with a full range of Smart ThinQ technologies. Key among them is Smart Manager, which transforms the refrigerator into a complete food management system. Customers can use the refrigerator’s LCD panel or their smartphones to check the food items stored inside, as well as their location and expiration date. Using the Smart Manager’s Freshness Tracker, customers can also enter various food items, such as eggs, milk and vegetables, and check their suggested expiration dates. Additionally, the refrigerator recommends dishes that can be cooked using the ingredients available in the refrigerator.

A smart washing machine

Another highlight at CES 2012 is LG’s smart washing machine, which incorporates Smart Diagnosis, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid-ready features. Smart Diagnosis has undergone an impressive upgrade for the smart washing machine, an effort which resulted this year in the washing machine’s Wi-Fi certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance. This addition enables LG’s washer to self-diagnose its problems via Wi-Fi connection. Should a problem, such as a water input issue, occur with the washer, Wi-Fi Smart Diagnosis quickly and efficiently helps troubleshoot, limiting costly, inconvenient service calls and in-home visits. Also, a downloadable smartphone application alerts customers about less significant problems, such as when the door is left open.

Smart Hom-Bot

The Smart Hom-Bot is a remotely controlled vacuum cleaner that uses the Smart Access feature to allow customers to start their Smart Hom-Bot and monitor the vacuum’s progress from remote locations. Techies will love its advanced control features, as the Hom-Bot can be steered via smartphones in a manner similar to a remote-control car. In turn, customers can remotely roam their house while using the Hom-Bot’s camera eye for navigation.

A smarter oven

LG’s Smart Oven comes equipped with Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Diagnosis, which open up a whole new array of smarter cooking possibilities. Smart Access enables customers to monitor cooking settings, such as time and temperature, via their mobile devices. With Smart Adapt, customers can send cooking time information by smartphone directly to the oven to make sumptuous dishes via the oven’s auto-cooking function. Smart Diagnosis enables consumers to diagnose simple problems, using a smartphone application or through direct contact with the customer service center for a quick and efficient diagnosis and troubleshooting.

Extending smart concept

LG’s Home Energy Management System (HeMS) is an ultra-intelligent companion to the Smart Grid technology that manages smart appliances, lighting and HVAC in a power-efficient manner. Through a smart meter, HeMS collects energy usage data throughout a home. Customers can monitor the electricity usage of each smart appliance by the hour, day, month or year. The overall energy consumption in a home and the resulting costs can be monitored as well. The collected data can be viewed anytime, anywhere through PCs and smartphones, enhancing convenience for customers.