At CES 2025, LG Electronics is showcasing a range of innovative home appliances that leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance everyday living. Among the standout offerings are the LG Signature Microwave oven, redesigned indoor gardening systems, and a myriad of products that highlight the company's commitment to integrating emerging technologies into the home.
The LG Signature Over-the-Range Microwave is a focal point of the exhibit. According to John I. Taylor, Senior VP of LG Electronics USA, Inc., "Not much has changed in microwaves through the years." However, this new model aims to revolutionise the cooking experience by incorporating a 27-inch Full HD (1080P) touchscreen display into the appliance's design. This screen is not only a visual display but also serves various functions, including real-time cooking monitoring through three interior cameras, ideal for food enthusiasts who wish to document their culinary creations. This microwave can be paired with the equally advanced LG Signature Slide-in Double Range for a seamless cooking experience, allowing users to monitor their dishes without opening the oven.
In addition to the microwave, LG’s latest 36-inch Smart InstaView French Door Refrigerator features a fully transparent T-OLED display that enables users to view contents without this causing any loss of cold air. This model also integrates a food management system that uses camera technology to suggest recipes based on stored ingredients and notifies users when items are running low or nearing expiration.
Further advancements are evident in the LG Signature Dishwasher, which incorporates upgraded proximity sensors that automatically pop the handle out upon detection of a user's hand, and the AI Direct Drive 2.0 technology in LG's washer to optimise fabric care settings.
In a push towards more sustainable living, LG has introduced next-generation indoor gardening appliances, which not only promote the cultivation of plants but are designed to fit harmoniously within home decor. The growing systems feature automated dispensing of water and nutrients and can be controlled via the ThinQ app, allowing users to manage their indoor gardens remotely.
Central to LG's AI efforts is the LG ThinQ ON home hub, a product that has been designed to connect various smart home devices and enhance user management through generative AI. The ThinQ ON hub, developed in partnership with Athom, a Dutch company, is reported to connect with over 50,000 devices and utilise various protocols, including Matter and Thread. This hub stands out for its onboard voice activation, enabling natural conversation-like interactions for controlling home appliances. It seeks to optimise daily tasks, providing alerts about any issues, such as low detergent levels in washing machines, while suggesting more suitable settings based on the user’s previous activities.
Also on display is LG’s Q9 Self-Driving AI Home Hub, which moves independently throughout the home and interacts with residents to provide a tailored smart home experience. This AI assistant is capable of executing tasks based on situational awareness, such as cleaning spills or adjusting heating based on verbal cues from users. John Taylor noted, “You just put the page or image in front of the camera at the top of the display, and it will extract the text... then voice and act it out with various expressions and motions.” While this feature is primarily marketed towards children, its utility extends to individuals with visual impairments.
Both the ThinQ ON hub and Q9 AI Home Hub are scheduled to launch in Korea later this year, as LG aims to consolidate its role in the burgeoning smart home market. The new kitchen and laundry appliances will follow globally in 2025, although pricing details have yet to be disclosed.
The introduction of these smart home solutions underscores LG's strategy to pioneer the integration of AI into the technology and appliances that shape modern lifestyles, with the potential to streamline household management and improve user convenience across the board.
Source: Noah Wire Services