Once considered a technology of the future, artificial intelligence is now applied to
a number of home appliances ranging from refrigerators to air conditioners and TVs among others.
How is AI changing our lives?
Let’s take a glimpse into that revolutionary sensation
Jo Hee-jung is a housewife in her 40’s.
She spends most of time in the kitchen, cooking for her family.
(SOV) “Hello, Samsung ”
"What's the news for today?“ "Good morning Today is September 7, Thursday.“
And a refrigerator she purchased a few months ago changed her daily routine completely.
(SOV) “Hello, Samsung ”
“Please find my recipe.”
“Drain the oil from tuna and mash it with a fork until it is in small flakes."
Featuring AI-based voice recognition, the refrigerator finds the best recipe, among
some hundreds, for Jo Hee-jung.
(Korean, ) "My hands are often wet or oily when I cook.
But now I can conveniently use the refrigerator through its voice recognition feature without
having to touch it physically.
I usually ask it to play music or find the recipes I need."
That’s not all.
(SOV) "What's in the fridge?"
The refrigerator helps Jo Hee-jung with grocery shopping.
It shows which ingredients are running low and also allows her to make orders immediately
using the appliance.
(SOV) "Now the food notifications are on."
(Korean, ) "In the past, I used refrigerators just to
keep food fresh, but now it’s like a friend that I can talk to.
I talk to the refrigerator when I’m in the kitchen, which makes me feel like I’m with
a friend."
AI is certainly the hottest theme in the home appliance market for the year 2017.
The 4th Industrial Revolution is powering the rise of smart features in white goods,
especially in refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines.
AI-powered voice control systems have replaced physical commands and the Internet of Things
has taken hold of the entire house with several connected home appliances, making homes “smart”
through very convenient features.
(korean, ) "In the year 2017, voice recognition has become
the key to human-machine interaction, including computers and household appliances.
Thanks to the development of technology, voice recognition now offers very reliable and affordable
services that are featured on many white goods or home appliances like refrigerators."
According to the research conducted by the Robotics and Intelligent Control System Laboratory
at Seoul National University in 2016, AI-powered robot vacuum cleaners now have an IQ equivalent
to a 6 to 7 year-old child.
It is a drastic jump compared to the figure 2 years ago when they were found to be as
clever as apes.
And now this smart vacuum cleaner operates, cleans and charges itself automatically.
As for air conditioners, each machine figures out the habits and living environment of its
user and determines operating areas and modes on its own.
Also, it figures out the locations of users and cools that area using a human recognition
sensor, thus saving a lot of energy.
(Korean, ) "LG Electronics recently launched a robot
vacuum cleaner, air-conditioner, washing machine and refrigerator that operate on its trademark
deep learning-based AI system, DeepThinQ.
It enables devices to learn users' lifestyle patterns and surroundings to offer customized
services.
"
Artificial intelligence has kick-started profitability.
For example, it has enabled LG Electronics to see a double-digit percentage growth in
business profits ? 10%- in the white-good market for the first time since its foundation
in 1958.
(korean, ) "It seems like the demand for new home appliances,
driven by technological innovation, resulted in the skyrocketing growth of LG Electronics
and Samsung Electronics and their business profits.
Another thing is that Korean electronics brands have an excellent reputation in the global
market, and their high-end products are well received by global customers."
AI-powered home appliances are rapidly becoming part of our lives, making our homes more efficient,
informed, and secure.
Artificial intelligence is getting smarter, and its influence is likely to grow in the
coming years with a better understanding of humans and their needs.
(korean, ) "AI-powered household appliances should be
able to protect your house against any accidents even when you are away.
Therefore, the technology be primarily used to resolve those issues currently facing white
goods or home appliances and receive the limelight."
AI is seeping its way into our lives, affecting how we live, work, and entertain ourselves
with new convenient services and technologies.
The introduction of AI in white goods has definitely proven its ability to learn and
improve on past iterations.