The Vice President of Product Marketing for LG Home Appliances shared what will be in the home of the future. By Loren Kessell
Integration is the smart home technology goal, and it’s important to consider what the home of the future will look like. Brandt Varner, Vice President of Product Marketing for Home Appliances at LG Electronics, shared insight about what will be trending and how it fits into the big picture.
What will the home of the future look like and act like?
Today’s tech-savvy consumers have come to expect integrated technology and connectivity throughout the home from kitchen appliances that remotely set cooking times and temperatures to vacuums that automatically empty the dustbin when finished cleaning. The home of the future will continue to get smarter and more intuitive since consumers are spending more time at home now more than ever and have a growing desire to simplify their daily household routines by integrating innovative, tech-forward products that will optimize convenience and functionality. Energy-efficient homes and appliances will continue to be a top priority for consumers.
How will the consumer interact with the home of the future?
While smart home technology allows consumers to have a more hands-off experience, it also gives them more control. With smart apps like LG’s ThinQ, users are able to remotely monitor and control several appliances at once, including preheating their oven, adjusting the temperature on their air conditioner, starting a wash cycle and more. This type of integrated technology in the home allows consumers to live a more streamlined, convenient life that they can control at their fingertips, or in some instances through their voice. In addition to remote control, many users want to ensure their appliances can withstand years of use. That’s why LG offers ThinQ Care, a customer care service that lets users manage the performance of their appliances with minimal effort. The comprehensive AI service analyzes appliance usage patterns to provide contextual reports on product performance, and it proactively contacts the homeowner should a potential service issue be detected. It also provides guidance on how to best use your appliances and even informs homeowners when supplies are running low.
Will everything finally talk to each other in the home? Will voice or motion be wholly integrated?
Voice control and connectivity between appliances is a trend that is likely to further advance as consumer demand grows for cutting edge technology. LG appliances are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, adding another means of convenience, control and connectivity in the home through simple voice commands.
How simple and easy will it be for consumers to work with smart products like appliances? What will a smart appliance look like in ten years?
While some consumers may find smart appliances intimidating, the technology integrated into today’s smart appliances is actually designed to make the user-experience seamless and feel like second nature. For instance, LG’s laundry innovations like the WashTower quite literally take the guesswork out of laundry day with AI DD technology that automatically selects optimal washing and drying settings based on fabric type, load size and the level of soiling to deliver the best in clothing care.
What do you think will be the biggest upcoming smart home technology trend?
Technology will continue to advance but purchasing new appliances every year isn’t practical. LG is currently developing an upgradability option that adapts to the unique and changing lifestyles of customers. Upgradable appliances will have the capability to incorporate new features developed in the future based on owners’ usage patterns and habits. This offers the ability to add a new function or convenience to an existing appliance through new software, new hardware or both. LG is also embracing Matter, a universal networking protocol that lets devices work across all major smart home platforms so that users can experience a more streamlined connection throughout their home. Matter is the new standard that will solve a lot of consumer’s pain points by simplifying setup and providing interoperability for cross device communication.
Signature Kitchen Suite, the luxury built-in appliance line backed by LG, is sponsoring NKBA’s Futurist Summit on Thursday, August 4, from 1-4 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for more information about this event that will provide insight into what the future home landscape looks like.
