LG unveils networked home appliances

M. B. Shin, president, LG Electronics Middle East & Africa Operations, said the Korean digital leader, which showcased its Internet Refrigerator for the first time at Gitex in 2001, now has a full range of networked products available on order basis across the region. The full range of networked products is priced around $10,000. "LG has taken a bold step in bringing the future of living standards to the Middle East and Africa today," he declared.

"By 2005, over 100 million homes are expected to be using networked digital appliances and LG believes a large proportion of those will be in the Middle East and Africa," said Shin. According to recent studies, the home networking and residential gateway equipment market will reach $5.9 billion by 2004. Home networking services that deliver extra value based on these new forms of connectivity will reach over $3 billion by 2004.

Shin added that smart devices in homes, including home networked appliances, will also open up new markets for manufacturers, service companies, telcos and other organisations to offer expanded services to customers.

"Weekly groceries can be ordered through the Internet fridge and the supermarket will deliver them. Such level of service will broaden as more and more sectors become aware of and embrace the ability of home network technology," said Shin. Apart from the advantages of home network digital appliances, there are the benefits gained in the home from having appliances linked.

"Connected appliances mean you can check on the status and operate other products on the home network. For example, from the refrigerator you can adjust the temperature on the a/c in the bedroom and check on the status of the programme cycle in the washing machine," he said.

"The hub to the entire network is the Internet refrigerator but all the other products can be connected to the world-wide-web through a programmable logic controller, without the need for a local area network (LAN). That means that customers can start with one or two products rather than buy the entire range in one go."

LG's networked home products are connected across a LAN through its proprietary communication protocol called Living network Control Protocol (LnCP) designed for home appliances that exchange small amounts of data and require minimum control.

"We are working with leading software developers on standardisation of home network systems and are continuously developing and upgrading our own LnCP to provide better service and operating efficiency," said Shin.

Shin explained that LG's Internet Refrigerator becomes the centre of all communication in its home network. A 15.1-inch touch-pad screen with built-in video camera is the front-end with a button-access menu that combines Internet operability together with controls for all linked appliances.

"Using the refrigerator's food management programme, users can check the freshness and expiry dates of food stored in the fridge, allowing them to plan what they need to buy and arrange it via the Net from a supermarket web-site. The fridge is also an entertainment hub with TV, MP3 player and built-in digital camera."

An Internet site has been set up by LG specifically for its networked home appliances. The web site contains detailed information on LG's current networked products range, future networking technology and products and links to additional LG network appliance cyber sites.

Shin said that by connecting LG's digital home appliances to the Internet, customers could control them whenever they want and from wherever they are.

"An LG air-conditioner in a bedroom can be controlled using the LG refrigerator in the kitchen. Through the Internet, users can download LG developed programmes, airflow patterns or microwave recipes and use them to operate the appliances more ergonomically and economically," said Shin.