LG home appliances to connect with Google, Amazon AI

SEOUL, April 19 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. said Thursday it has launched a new service in the North American market in which its appliances equipped with Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology connect to the artificial intelligence (AI) systems of Google and Amazon. While the South Korean tech giant earlier connected the Google Assistant program with its home appliances powered with the SmartThinQ IoT platform, LG said the update will also allow its products to link up with the Amazon Alexa. The company said users are now able to activate LG home appliances by voice using AI speakers from both Google and Amazon. LG said it is the first time home appliances have been able to connect to both systems. The service will be automatically provided to existing users of SmartThinQ-powered refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners through software updates. Amazon and Google are presumed to account for 70 percent and 25 percent of the North American market for AI speakers, respectively. LG Electronics said it will continue to seek an open platform and partnerships in the field of AI-based smart home goods. colin@yna.co.kr (END)