LG Finally Gets Serious About the Smart Home: New Hub, Open Ecosystem, and AI-Powered Appliances

LG Electronics has officially stepped into the smart home game in a big way. After years of dabbling, the company has introduced a brand-new multi-protocol hub and is opening its ThinQ platform to more devices and ecosystems. This move signifies a major shift in LG’s approach, aiming to challenge established smart home players like Samsung’s SmartThings and Apple Home.

At the core of LG’s new smart home vision is ThinQ ON, a versatile hub that integrates AI technology, supports multiple smart home standards, and provides seamless connectivity with a wide range of appliances and devices.

A Shift Toward AI-Driven Home Automation

Speaking to The Verge, LG’s chief engineer of smart home, Daejong Kang, highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the next phase of home automation. “Until now, the smart home was all about the connectivity of smart devices, but with the emergence of generative AI, it’s time to move to the next chapter,” said Kang.

The ThinQ ON hub is designed to act as the central brain of LG’s smart home ecosystem. It features Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. The hub also introduces LG’s AI Agent, an intelligent assistant powered by what LG refers to as “Affectionate Intelligence.” This AI will learn from your home environment, helping to adjust settings like temperature and fan speed based on your preferences and conditions in real-time.

ThinQ ON Hub: A Smart Speaker and Hub in One

The ThinQ ON hub is not just a smart hub but also a smart speaker. Equipped with USB-C power and buttons for volume control and muting the microphone, it also allows users to summon the AI Agent via voice commands. Initially, the AI Agent is available only through the hub, but LG has plans to extend it to more of its appliances in the future.

The AI Agent enables a level of autonomy that could revolutionize how home automation works. For example, if your home becomes too warm, the AI Agent will automatically adjust the climate, factoring in your habits and preferences. This type of autonomous AI control is ambitious and could position LG’s ThinQ platform as a true competitor to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.

Openness and Integration: A New Path for LG Appliances

One of the most significant aspects of LG’s new strategy is its shift toward openness. For years, smart home enthusiasts have struggled with siloed ecosystems, but LG is now working to break down those barriers. Kang confirmed that third-party smart home devices from brands like Aqara, Philips Hue, Sonos, and Ecobee will soon be compatible with the ThinQ platform.

Additionally, LG is making its own appliances more integratable. Historically, LG devices have been confined to the ThinQ app for basic features like remote control and monitoring, but now, LG plans to allow other smart home platforms to control its appliances. This could be a game-changer for users who prefer using platforms like Home Assistant or SmartThings.

Homey OS Acquisition: A Power Play for LG’s Smart Home Ambitions

Earlier this year, LG took a significant step by acquiring a majority stake in Athom, the company behind Homey OS. This acquisition is paying off, as the Homey OS has now been ported to the ThinQ ON hub. Homey is known for its extensive support of hundreds of smart home devices from various manufacturers, and many of these integrations are expected to come to LG ThinQ.

With Homey’s robust platform running on the ThinQ ON, LG is positioning itself to provide users with a comprehensive, multi-brand smart home solution that can rival Samsung’s SmartThings. This could potentially make LG a formidable player in the smart home market, enabling users to control smart locks, lights, robot vacuums, and other connected devices all from one app.

The Future of LG Appliances: Open APIs and SDKs

In an exciting development for tech enthusiasts and developers, LG is preparing to release open APIs and an SDK (Software Development Kit) later this year. This will enable third-party platforms to integrate and control LG’s connected appliances, including everything from refrigerators and ovens to washers, dryers, and air conditioners.

While this approach will give developers and users more flexibility, LG has yet to fully commit to adopting the Matter standard for all its devices. Kang explained that while Matter is a promising protocol, the certification process is both expensive and slow. This hesitation leaves the door open for future development, though, as LG continues to evaluate the potential of fully supporting Matter.

What’s Next?

The ThinQ ON hub is expected to arrive in the US and Europe next year, and LG’s open approach to integrating appliances into the broader smart home ecosystem is a bold step forward. With AI-powered capabilities, multi-protocol connectivity, and a more open platform, LG has the potential to reshape the smart home experience.

However, given LG’s historical track record in this space, it remains to be seen whether the company will follow through on all these promises. If it does, LG could emerge as a major competitor to Apple, Google, and Amazon in the battle for smart home dominance.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for the latest updates on LG’s smart home developments and other cutting-edge tech innovations.