LG Shaping The Future Of Smart Living With AI, IoT In Its Products

Over the years, we have imagined and dreamed about futuristic, smart living where through technology, ‘Life’s Good’ and much simpler. Thanks to LG, homes around the world are embracing the future today with an array of AI and IOT powered products that are increasingly revolutionizing urban living

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (AI) have taken center stage, giving us a glimpse into a world where our homes are easy to manage, and just by a click of a button or a command, and that’s exactly what the latest Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technologies are designed for. With its LG ThinQ smart home platform, LG enables users to enjoy optimal comfort and convenience throughout their living spaces and daily lives.

LG in its innovation has encompassed a Zero Labor Home where LG ThinQ leverages AI and contextualises understanding to predict users’ needs and provide tailored services that make everything easier. Leveraging on evolution, connectivity and openness, LG ThinQ opens up new possibilities and an unprecedented level of convenience at home.

Evolution, Connectivity and Openness…

The constant evolution of LG ThinQ highlights LG’s determination to improve and innovate the customer experience. Utilizing AI technology, LG ThinQ (and the smart appliances and devices it connects with) can analyze usage data to learn users’ habits and preferences, creating a personalized experience that becomes better over time. For an even smarter, more customized home experience, ThinQ platform is planning to adopt AI-powered technologies into its services such as ChatGPT and AI-based voice ID. Available right now, the LG ThinQ UP lineup presents home appliances that can evolve to meet each user’s unique taste and lifestyle needs and can be continuously upgraded with downloadable features via the ThinQ app.

The ThinQ app makes it possible to remotely control LG appliances from a smartphone or tablet, allowing users to monitor all their gadgets from practically any location. In addition, LG has connected various IoT devices through Matter; creating a hub where users effortlessly manage Matter-certified appliances and devices from LG through the ThinQ app. LG now supports most types of Matter devices including lighting as well as sensors and  continue to expand the connectivity with more devices.

LG actively pursues an open innovation strategy to improve the usability and convenience of ThinQ. Along with globally-popular AI platforms, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, ThinQ is compatible with Google Calendar, a multitude of third-party apps and connected car services; enabling it to provide users with a range of useful, oft-accessed information through a single app. LG is also working with diverse companies including content platform providers to enhance the ThinQ experience  in a bid to add value to its smart home platform.

Air conditioning and refrigeration…

LG’s air conditioning solutions are designed to provide optimal cooling performance with minimal energy consumption, and smart control including cloud-based control and monitoring. LG’s exclusive ThinQ App comes with advanced features such as voice commands, energy-saving modes, and AI functions.

Notable products include the LG VRF Multi V systems, which incorporate the latest technology to provide maximum efficiency, powerful performance, and low operational costs for residential and industrial facilities. Other products include the LG Residential and Commercial Split Air Conditioner, LG ceiling fans, and refrigerators equipped with Smart Inverter Compressors and Multi Air Flow features.

In response to the increasing demand for climate-friendly products, LG has recently launched a range of optimized HVAC solutions that provide fresh and healthy air for different environments. These include new indoor air quality solutions that monitor IAQ(Indoor Air Quality) and purify it through various certified advanced air purification systems such as UV Nano technology.

one of the key solutions to be rolled out is the LG Multi V™ i, an all-electric VRF cooling and heating solution equipped with the company’s AI Engine. The latest Multi V also boasts Edge computing architecture, intelligent operation based on real-time weather conditions, and remote software and firmware upgradability.

A next-generation VRF system, the Multi V i has a single refrigerant circuit that makes it possible to connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit. Additionally, it provides options that help maximize energy efficiency and minimize operational costs, and is suitable for a wide range of commercial applications. Offering engineers and building owners outstanding flexibility in terms of performance and design, the Multi V i is available in capacities from 6 to 44 tons and can be used in single or dual-frame modular configurations.

Another solution is LG’s Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller which raises the standard for solutions in the air-cooled chiller category. The LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller is designed for cooling and heating.

With an impressive integrated part load value (IPLV)1 of 19.46, LG’s chiller can be used in many sectors for many types of use scenarios, providing a reliable mechanical solution for both large- and small-capacity applications.

The Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller’s performance and versatility can be attributed to several key components, including LG’s inverter technology, which enables a precise and efficient response to load demand and industry-leading low-ambient, high-efficiency heating. What’s more, a modular design allows system engineers to install the chiller using a two- or four-pipe configuration to provide simultaneous cooling and heating functionality without sacrificing efficiency or performance.

An AHR 2022 Innovation Award winner in the ventilation category, the LG Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) is a commercial ventilation system that also delivers effective dehumidification, cooling and heating. Able to control the temperature and humidity of the air inside a building or facility, DOAS comes equipped with a dual heat recovery system that minimizes energy loss. Meanwhile, the LG Therma V™ Air to Water Heat Pump (AWHP) solution provides efficient, dependable heating, cooling, and hot water supply, and is an excellent replacement for a domestic-use gas boiler.

LG OLED…

LG’s OLED lineup spearheaded by the Z3, G3, and C3 OLED Evo series TVs provide higher brightness and color accuracy as well as amazing clarity and detail thanks to the precision and performance of LG OLED Evo technology and the new α9 AI Processor Gen6.

LG’s latest innovation on OLED TVs elevates the viewing experience as only LG OLED can. This new lineup comes with enhanced premium self-lit picture quality, powerful image processing technologies, and an enhanced webOS platform offering more smart features and services.

The latest Alpha series processor utilizes LG’s most sophisticated AI-assisted Deep Learning tech to ensure outstanding picture and sound quality. AI Picture Pro now offers improved upscaling for better clarity, and enhanced dynamic tone mapping, which helps reveal the depth and detail in every frame.

AI Picture Pro also integrates a picture processing technology that detects and refines important objects, such as people’s faces, to give them a more lifelike HDR quality. In addition to fine-tuning image reproduction, the α9 AI Processor Gen6 powers LG’s AI Sound Pro; a feature that helps viewers get swept up in the onscreen action by delivering virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TVs’ built-in speaker system.

LG OLED has also introduced a refreshed, more personalized user experience featuring the latest version of webOS, a redesigned user interface (UI) that offers a wealth of personalization options and more convenience than ever. The new ‘Quick Cards’ offer users easy access to the content and services they use the most – all grouped into logical categories such as Home Office, Gaming, Music, and Sports. LG’s more advanced webOS makes it easy for everyone using the TV to enjoy personalized recommendations tailored to their own preferences which are determined based on viewing history and viewing habits.

Furthering the personalized user experience on LG OLED TV is AI Concierge, which provides each user with a curated list of content choices based on their past usage and search inquiries, and provides a selection of trending content for them to browse.

LG OLED TVs are also equipped with the Game Optimizer, allowing users to quickly select and switch between gaming-specific features, such as game-genre display presets. Settings for G-SYNC® Compatible, FreeSync™ Premium and variable refresh rate (VRR) are easily accessible from the Game Optimizer as well.

The Now…and the future…

LG is now focusing on the transition to the platform-based service business model, acceleration of B2B areas and procurement of new growth engines based on competitive edge as three pillars to focus on customer experience. By 2030, the proportion of these three pillars in sales and operating profit is expected to increase to more than 50 per cent.

The company plans to invest more than Kshs 5.48 trillion by 2030 for the qualitative growth of the business, including the advancing of the business portfolio led by the three new growth engines. This includes an R&D investment of more than Kshs 2.74 trillion, a facility investment of more than Kshs 1.86 trillion and a strategic investment of Kshs 766.88 billion.

LG’s rich understanding of customers has seen continuous innovation over the past 65 years, and will be fully expanded to commercial, mobility and virtual spaces. And to further outline its Smart Living solutions vision, LG introduced its latest energy-efficient technologies and products to reaffirm its commitment to achieve a sustainable future at IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany.

Addressing the media, Peter Verkempynck, the Senior VP of LG Air Solutions Europe B2B Sales, presented the cornerstone of LG’s electrification strategy – the advancement of LG heat pump technology.

Because it designs and manufactures its own core technologies and component solutions, LG is able to deliver appliances that offer unparalleled performance and reliability. The company’s development and manufacturing strategy is actively driving advancements in fundamental components, including the compressors and motors used in LG heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Showcased to the media during the LG briefing at IFA 2023 was the LG Therma V R290 Monobloc Air-to-Water Heat Pump (AWHP) which comes with powerful heating capability to help create a warm, comfortable indoor environment within the household. The AWHP is equipped with an array of efficiency-boosting LG technologies and utilizes R290 refrigerant, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only three. The solution also ensures convenient maintenance with a remote support feature that enables quick software updates and the easy application of installer settings.

The heat pump technology applied to the Therma V R290 Monobloc can also be found in a variety of LG’s efficient home appliances, including its heat pump dryers and washer-dryer model. Employing two cylinders that work simultaneously to compress the refrigerant, the LG DUAL Inverter Heat Pump dryer achieves faster drying times and provides a better performance than a conventional dryer.

Then there’s the LG SIGNATURE second-generation washer-dryer which features the brand’s own inverter heat pump drying module that boosts energy efficiency, improves drying results and reduces fabric damage.

And to control and monitor these appliances even remotely, LG’s own smart home platform, LG ThinQ enables users to seamlessly connect all of their household appliances for a smarter, more convenient user experience. The ThinQ app makes it possible to effortlessly control each appliance, manage the entire HVAC system, and monitor energy storage and consumption in real-time.