LG's betting big on AI to transform the home appliance space.
LG details the technology behind its AI-driven washing machine.
During a recent visit to LG’s headquarters at Seoul, we got a sneak peek at the capabilities of LG’s latest AI-driven washing machine. LG is betting big on how AI will transform the Home Appliances space, and we were all ears to get a deeper insight into LG’s vision for AI in Home Appliances from Mr Sung-han Jung, a senior team lead from LG’s Home Appliance Marketing dept for Asia.
What is LG’s vision of AI in home appliances?
Jung: We, at LG Electronics, have always believed in launching new ranges of flagship products and technologies based on Indian consumer insights. We have introduced game-changing products in the Indian market across segments. The brand has always been ahead of the curve with first-to-market innovations – equipping the entire range of home appliances with energy-efficient technology and empowering it with AI ThinQ technology.
As per LG, how soon will AI be a mass phenomenon from the home appliances’ perspective?
Jung: The Artificial Intelligence market is expected to grow at 60% till 2022 (as per research). The growth in the market is anticipated because of increasing adoption of artificial intelligence across various end-users. For many of us, AI is everywhere in tech right now and is said to be powering everything from your air conditioners to your light bulb.
The consumer electronics and white good products have the largest demand generating end use sector of artificial intelligence across the world. Technologies such as image recognition, speech recognition, gesture recognition, etc. are being equipped in home appliance products such as ceiling fans, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators and air purifiers. The year 2019 is slated to see a huge rise in AI-powered consumer tech. (Source – Tech Sci research)
How does LG plan to lead this space?
Jung: Today, we are the leaders in need based innovation. We develop products and solutions based on specific needs catering to the Indian consumers. We have already introduced AI technology in smartphones, TVs and now with the introduction of AI in home appliance products, we aim to be market leaders in this category as well. Our AI ThinQ Technology is available in air conditioners, refrigerators , washing machines and air purifiers.
We have recently launched a new product category, ceiling fan and one of the models will be based on IOT. The fans, which are made especially for the Indian market, would focus on energy efficiency and aesthetics designs and would have higher value propositions. The fans will have easily detachable parts which can be cleaned and then joined together.
LG’s latest washing machine used AI DD technology, how does it work?
Jung: AI DD has fabric characteristic sensing (sensing fabric’s softness). LG’s AI DD detects the motor’s electric current profile and compares it to already collected electric current big data to determine whether the fabric is soft or stiff and then, the optimal washing pattern is selected.
When washing multiple types of fabrics, how does the algorithm work to determine the softness and nature of each fabric (an article of clothing)?
Jung: Technically, the algorithm does not physically sense the fabric’s softness. It senses the electric current profiles for each combination of mixed fabrics that is created when tumbled inside the drum. AI DD compares that data with big data and selects the optimal washing pattern.
In which markets is LG launching AI DD based washing machines? When is it expected to launch in India?
Jung: Artificial Intelligence in washing machines will be launched mainly in European countries. However, the AI DD technology will be launched in some Asian countries as well. The AI DD technology is the intelligent care with 18% More Fabric Protection, which offers the most optimised wash to protect the consumers laundry. The technology is expected to launch in India around November 2019.
Where does LG do all its research and R&D on AI for home appliances?
Jung: We have two manufacturing plants in Noida and Pune that has a huge R&D team. Also, with respect to service – all customers desire the best products with the best service. At LG, along with meaningful product innovations we have established a strong service network of centres across the globe.
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Soham Raninga
Soham Raninga is the Chief Editor for Digit.in. A proponent of performance > features. Soham's tryst with tech started way back in Dec 1997, when he almost destroyed his computer, trying to make the Quake II demo run at >30FPS View Full Profile
