LG Electronics has launched a range of smart appliances equipped with HomeChat™ messaging technology in South Korea, allowing users to communicate, control, monitor and share content with their home appliances.
The range includes a camera-equipped refrigerator, a washing machine able to complete washing cycles remotely as commanded by users and a Near Field Communications and Wi-Fi enabled Lightwave oven which can also be controlled from any location. HomeChat™ offers users three different modes: Vacation, Away and Return-home in order for them to moderate appliances away from the household.
Seong-jin Jo, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home said: “Today’s intelligent home appliances offer a variety of useful functions but many consumers still find setting them up an extremely complicated process. 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.’
The Smart View feature on the LG Smart Refrigerator allows users to see what is available inside their refrigerator via a smartphone or tablet device, giving them the opportunity to gage what they will need to buy on their next trip to the grocery store. The Smart Manager’s Freshness Tracker provides an easy way to keep track of food expiration dates while Smart Manager is also able to recommend meal options based on the contents stored in the refrigerator.
LG Smart Washing Machine users will be able to arrive home to a completed laundry cycle by texting “start washing cycle’ to their appliance while they are out of the home. By texting “what are you doing?’ users are able to receive real time updates on the machines progress.
Users are able to communicate with their LG SmartLightwaveOven which can recommend recipes as well as set the oven’s temperature and cooking time for a requested meal. By selecting the Return-home feature the oven will be prompted to ask, “what dish would you like to make today?’ and open a Recipe Search window.
