Anticipating the changing needs and lifestyles of its users is crucial to the brand’s research and development processes. “We have a unit that studies lifestyle changes, housing structures and trends,” shares Sung Han Jung, team leader of Asia sales and marketing for the refrigerator segment. “The ultimate goal is to offer a better lifestyle with deep learning and by studying the behaviour of customers.”

Due to the compact size of urban homes, multi-functional appliances are becoming more popular. Thus the aim of LG Objet is to create a premium range that answers to the needs of users looking for compact appliances that are both versatile and chic. Launched in South Korea last November, LG Objet integrates electronic devices seamlessly into custom-made furniture such as bedside tables, which can each house an air purifier, audio system or a mini fridge.

(Related: 10 Robots That We Want In Our Homes)

“Smaller is better; more and more people want to be more efficient and as less wasteful as possible,” shares Ken Hong, senior director of global corporate communications at LG Electronics. “You don’t need a refrigerator to hold that much food when you’re buying food on the way home and are not as interested in cooking. It’s the same thing with ovens; you don’t want a big oven for food that only fits one-fifth of that space.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) forms another crucial pillar of the R&D processes, guided by the goal of integrating AI features into future appliances. The company’s custom AI chip is equipped with the LG Neural Engine, which allows it to work offline and analyse the data it collects, whether from smart speakers that receive voice commands or from temperature sensors in refrigerators. Currently, the LG SmartThinq system is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice controls.
 
“It’s really about innovation; we try to capture the needs of consumers and current trends such as Internet of Things (IoT) and home appliances integrated with AI,” shares Kim Minkyu, team leader of Asia sales and marketing for the washing machines segment. “There is a big range of appliance users and we need to provide intuitive uses for all ages.”

Above it all, the appliances have to be easy to use. Rather than have the user wade through thick manuals, the AI features will do the hard work for you by understanding and reacting to the different needs of each situation. This involves deep learning—over time, the AI learns to do tasks and solve problems that otherwise involve human intervention, whether by improving its movie and music recommendations by studying your habits and preferences, or by optimising an oven’s temperature and heat settings based on the recipe’s requirements.
 
It’s an exciting period for the company, as it continues to upgrade its digital infrastructure for the smart home race. “We are always investing in the future,” quips Hong.