LG To Introduce Connected, Easy-To-Control Smart Appliances At CES 2013

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) will introduce its full 2013 line of smart appliances, offering enhanced connectivity and greater user convenience, at next week's International CES® in Las Vegas.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110203/CG42292LOGO-d)

Smart Control allows users to effectively manage their appliances with simple voice commands via smartphone and monitor LG's super-efficient smart suite from outside the home*. By simply scanning their smartphone with the NFC Tag-on symbol on LG's smart appliances, users can easily register and control their refrigerator, washing machine, robotic vacuum cleaner or range oven remotely.

"This year at CES, LG will demonstrate its most advanced, convenience-enhancing smart home appliances," said Seong-jin Jo, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Appliance Company.

LG's upgraded smart technology for 2013 gives users the ability to "control their appliances no matter where they are," said Jo. "They can start a load of laundry while driving home from work, tell their robotic cleaner to vacuum the floor before company arrives or view the refrigerator's inventory of food items. LG's enhanced device-to-device connectivity offers incredible convenience, as the user can control and monitor household appliances through their TV while still watching their favorite show. It's a smart home for those who want the ultimate smart lifestyle."

Jo explained that LG differentiates its smart appliances with two separate but highly complementary sets of technologies. LG's four core technologies – the Linear Compressor, Inverter Direct Drive, KOMPRESSOR™ and Lightwave – enable superior performance and savings, while LG's innovative smart technologies – Smart Manager, Smart Diagnosis™, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid readiness – create greater user convenience.

A Smart Refrigerator to Revolutionize Food Management

Built around the company's signature Linear Compressor, LG's smart refrigerator is equipped with the full range of smart technologies.

Smart Manager transforms the refrigerator into a complete food management system. Consumers can navigate the refrigerator's LCD panel or smartphone to view the current list of food items without opening the door. With the Smart Manager's Freshness Tracker, users can input various foods in order to check their expiration dates. Additionally, the Smart Manager recommends meals to cook based on the ingredients that are available in the refrigerator and the recommended recipe can be shared with LG's smart oven to automatically begin preheating to the appropriate temperature.

Smart Access lets users check the status of their LG appliances via smartphone regardless of location. For example, rather than keeping track of cumbersome shopping lists, users may simply see a list of what is inside their fridge on iOS or Android phones while at the supermarket.

Smart Shopping¹ enables online grocery shopping directly from the refrigerator's LCD panel. Items can be automatically purchased when current supplies are running low or they can be manually selected and ordered. Smart Shopping reduces the need to visit the supermarket, saving time and increasing convenience.

LG's unique Health Manager¹ feature recommends individual recipes, as well as daily and weekly meal plans, based on the user's personal profile. Users' personal information such as age, gender, weight, and height are used to determine a Body Mass Index (BMI) figure which is then used to create a personalized meal plan.

LG's Smart Diagnosis™ technology has undergone an impressive upgrade, allowing LG's smart products to better self-assess problems and inform the user**. Through Wi-Fi connection, NFC tagging and audible diagnosis alerts, the consumer is quickly made aware of most minor issues related to the appliances which helps to limit costly, inconvenient service calls and in-home visits.  For example, this proves useful when the ice maker is switched off or the door is left open by accident.

LG's smart refrigerator is also Smart Grid Ready, which means it can automatically adjust its temperature and settings based on fluctuating energy costs, creating a practical smart energy-saving solution***. LG's smart refrigerator also offers Delay Defrost Capability, which can reduce power consumption during specific hours of the day. 

In addition to being able to catch one's favorite TV programs on the refrigerator's crisp LCD display, Smart Share allows users to upload and enjoy photos, music, movies, calendars as well as check the weather report. Instead of just displaying basic recipe lists, instructional videos are available on the display screen to visually show how to prepare recommended dishes.

A Smart Washing Machine with Wi-Fi/NFC Tag Smart Diagnosis™

LG's 2013 smart washing machine incorporates LG's Smart Diagnosis™**, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid Ready*** features.

Using Wi-Fi, NFC tagging and audible diagnosis, LG's Smart Diagnosis™ alerts the user to technical issues, while the Smart Adapt feature makes it possible to download new washing cycle programs -- such as Super Rinse or Baby Sanitize -- via smartphone or directly from the washing machine's LCD panel. Using their smartphone, users can monitor the status of LG's smart washing machine and remotely control it with voice commands. Wash cycles can also be adjusted, started or paused directly through the user's smart TV.

Smart Access allows consumers to control their washer and dryer regardless of location. They no longer need to worry when leaving the house with the washer running as Smart Access makes it possible to monitor the overall status of the washer and dryer via smartphone. Functions and settings can be remotely administered or adjusted and pop-up messages appear on the user's smartphone when a laundry cycle has been completed.

Smart HOM-BOT: So Much More Than a Vacuum

With a smartphone and Wi-Fi connection, users can remotely schedule the HOM-BOT to clean their home at any time, day or night. Advanced features allow the HOM-BOT to be controlled with a smartphone using either on-screen controls or voice commands. The robotic vacuum's camera eye allows for remote home surveillance via a smartphone and even allows owners to speak to family members at home via LG's HOM-BOT. Like its smart appliance counterparts, the HOM-BOT can also be operated from an LG Smart TV.

A Smarter Oven for Smarter Cooking

LG's Smart Oven comes equipped with Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Diagnosis™**, which opens up a whole new range of smarter cooking possibilities. With a Wi-Fi connection, home chefs can monitor the status of their ovens, search for recipes, set cooking modes and diagnose problems via smartphone. Even without Wi-Fi, NFC technology gives users the ability to program the oven for a particular recipe as well as diagnose a problem using their mobile device. LG's smart oven can also be operated using voice commands via a smartphone or LG Smart TV.

*Wireless Internet connection required for Smart Appliance features and sold separately.

**SmartDiagnosis™ is designed to supplement existing methods of problem identification and may not be able to troubleshoot all issues.

***Requires that you are receiving your power from a Smart Grid enabled power company.  Smart Grids are not available everywhere. May not be compatible with all Smart Grid systems.  

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances. With 117 operations around the world, LG achieved global sales of USD 49 billion (KRW 54.26 trillion) in 2011. LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communica-tions, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solution – and is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2012 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

¹ Currently available only in Korea.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA