Daniel J SaitIn his keynote address at LG’s CES press announcement, Dr. Ahn explained how LG innovations such as HomeChat and webOS are driving the IoT ecosystem to make consumers’ lives more convenient and more productive.
“The Internet of Things isn’t about just some devices and the Apps that control them,” Ahn said. “It’s what connects everything we value with the innovations that are centred around our lives. At LG, we’re taking an open approach to maximise the value offered to our customers through platforms, connectivity and the overall IoT ecosystem.”
LG started down the path to make its webOS operating system a strong IoT platform last year when the company implemented webOS into a new generation of intuitive smart TVs.
At CES 2015, Dr. Ahn unveiled the webOS 2.0 upgraded smart TV platform, which has been created to a simpler user experience and is more than twice as fast as the first version, fully supporting streaming of 4K Ultra HD content.
The LG webOS platform has also been expanded to LG’s signage and hotel TVs, allowing customers to experience the value of IoT outside of their homes.
LG is also expanding IoT into cars by actively developing Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technologies.
LG has developed and commercialised a connectivity solution to mirror Android and iOS devices to car displays.
LG’s says its smart car connectivity technology is not only highly customisable but also supports other industry solutions such as MirrorLink.
To connect all the technologies around consumers, LG is embracing open standards, Dr Ahn said. “We’re working with the AllSeen Alliance, of which LG is a founding member, to adopt the AllJoyn open connectivity platform.
“LG is also heavily involved in oneM2M, the global standard for IoT services, to adopt a broad connectivity technology that links gateways and devices around the cloud, allowing LG products to work flawlessly with any devices from any brands.”
LG also said it is working with smart home service providers and iControl OpenHome ecosystem members to ensure that LG’s product portfolio integrates with smart home services ranging from security to home automation.
Last year, LG introduced HomeChat, a platform that allows the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) to control and monitor home appliances.
LG is currently working with Nest Labs to make HomeChat compatible with Nest products and in the near future, HomeChat will also connect to cars.