Monthly Archives: March 2024

LG’s Versatile Household Helper Brings the ‘Zero Labor Home’ a Step Closer

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Advanced technologies are making life smarter and more convenient. At home, our living spaces have been upgraded through an ever-expanding ecosystem of connected appliances, devices and technologies. However, despite the time-saving benefits of these impressive innovations, the daily chores we love to avoid haven’t gone away just quite yet. Dedicated to realizing the Zero Labor Home, LG recently brought ‘the complete liberation from housework’ a step closer with the introduction of its groundbreaking household companion, the LG Smart Home AI Agent.
Although small in stature, LG’s Smart Home AI Agent has outsized capabilities. Not only does it act as a hub seamlessly connecting and controlling a wide range of home appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices,1 it also independently navigates its way around the house thanks to a clever, two-legged wheel design and a raft of cutting-edge tech. Built-in cameras, microphones and various sensors enable LG’s little AI Agent to collect a variety of data from the surrounding environment, which it then leverages to effectively monitor and manage the home.

Captured through multi-modal sensing, the collected data is processed and analyzed by the LG home appliance AI platform. This makes it possible for the Smart Home AI Agent to comprehend users’ intentions such as voices and facial expressions, understand its surroundings and recommend specific courses of action (such as activating or changing the settings of a particular connected appliance or device) to create greater ease, simplicity and comfort from the burden of housework.

At KBIS 2024 in Las Vegas this February, LG’s versatile Smart Home AI Agent highlighted the progress the company is making toward achieving the Zero Labor Home. Beyond its many abilities as a butler, assistant and companion, the diminutive robot is also quite the dancer. Before an enthralled audience, a group of perfectly-in-sync Smart Home AI Agents showed off their skills on the dancefloor with an endearing and entertaining choreographed routine.

Live demonstrations and short videos focusing on real-life usage scenarios at LG’s booth revealed how the AI Agent can help at home, from answering user’s questions, to greeting visitors at the door, to delivering useful notifications from connected appliances and other smart home devices.
In the booth’s Laundry section, the robot assumed the duties of a personal butler, offering up useful information, such as when the washing has finished, and helpful suggestions, like the best way to care for one’s laundry. The Kitchen section introduced the AI Agent as a convenient mobile hub and home assistant, seamlessly connecting with LG’s advanced kitchen appliances and presenting delicious recipes based on available ingredients. Inside the Living section, the Agent showed how it can be a valuable companion, notifying users when a visitor has arrived, inspecting each room as an indoor security officer, and even turning off the smart lightings when everyone has gone to bed.



Through LG’s collaboration with Microsoft, the Smart Home AI Agent integrates both the Azure AI Speech Service, which is based on voice recognition and voice synthesis technology, and the Azure OpenAI Service. Microsoft’s advanced Azure AI solutions help to ensure accurate voice recognition and give the robot its aptitude for comprehending nuanced commands, even in noisy environments like the Las Vegas Convention Center – the venue for KBIS 2024.
What’s more, the AI Agent’s Large Language Model (LLM)-based generative AI conversation service enables a more sophisticated level of robot-human interaction. Users can enjoy having natural, two-way conversations on various topics and conveniently control their home appliances with casually-spoken voice commands. Additionally, utilizing voice and facial recognition technology, LG’s intelligent, little home agent can distinguish between different users. To show its own ‘personality’ and ‘emotions,’ the robot changes the expressions on its face display, and can also convey its reaction to events and user interactions through movements generated by its articulated leg joints.
With ThinQ integration and the expansion of its open platform ecosystem, LG aims to accelerate both the adoption of the Smart Home AI Agent and the realization of its goal to liberate customers from the burden of household chores. Much like ThinQ UP appliances, the AI Agent will be able to receive continuous upgrades via the ThinQ app,2 providing users with an evolving, personalized smart living platform and a smart home solution.
A genuine game-changer, the LG Smart Home AI Agent is set to transform the way we interact with our living spaces, bringing us that much nearer to the realization of the Zero Labor Home.

Midea European Launch

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Midea European Trade Conference 2024, taking place in Greece from March 20th to 22nd. At the event, Midea will showcase the latest contributions to the European home and kitchen markets by unveiling two innovative products: the Midea TastePro Oven and the Midea 2.0 Built-in Oven.

The Midea TastePro Oven and the Midea 2.0 Built-in Oven are innovative additions to modern kitchen technology, aiming to provide users with convenience, efficiency, and connectivity within their smart home setups. Designed to integrate into existing IoT ecosystems, these appliances offer improved control and flexibility for managing kitchen tasks without extensive setup, allowing for remote intervention using compatible devices beyond the home vicinity. At the European Trade Conference in Greece, Midea strategically positioned itself to offer European consumers a professional and inspiring cooking experienceMultifunctional Integration: The Midea TastePro Oven allows users to bake, roast, grill, and more, all within a single appliance. Conveniently transitioning between steaming, baking, and microwave functions, this multifunctional capability streamlines the cooking process.
Graphene Patent Technology: Leveraging advanced graphene technology, the Midea TastePro Oven ensures efficient and uniform heat distribution, resulting in precise cooking and consistent results.
XpressHeating Rapid Heat Technology: The Midea TastePro Oven, featuring XpressHeating rapid heat technology, reduces preheating time, expediting cooking while maintaining quality. With Matter intelligent linkage technology, it effortlessly integrates into smart home ecosystems, providing users flexibility and enhancing their kitchen experience

Midea 2.0 Built-in Oven

Ultra High-Temperature Grilling: Achieve superior results with grilling temperatures reaching up to 280 degrees Celsius, compared to the 250 degrees Celsius of traditional ovens.
72L Capacity with 5 Racks: With ample cooking space and multiple racks, users can prepare various courses simultaneously, ensuring constant and even heating for all dishes.
Speed Heating: Advanced fast preheating technology enables the oven to reach more than 250 degrees Celsius in just 7 minutes, saving users 30% of the usual preheating time. (Data derived from internal laboratory experiments)
A+ Energy Efficiency: Optimized program logic and a new cavity design maximize energy utilization by generating appropriate heat and preventing heat leakage, resulting in improved energy efficiency.

Whirlpool of India Launches India’s Most Advanced Air Conditioner

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Whirlpool of India, a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation, has launched its new 2024 AC range, powered by 6th Sense IntelliCool Technology, for the perfect cooling experience at the press of a single button. This technology intuitively senses and adapts to consumers’ needs to make their everyday moments truly delightful.
The unique 6th Sense IntelliCool Technology provides premium personalised cooling experience using smart sensors & advanced algorithms that intuitively sense changes in the environment & weather conditions to dynamically adjust temperature, humidity, airflow and direction of air. Thus delivering optimal comfort levels with maximum energy efficiency

Currys takeover speculation “seems to have passed

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The Currys board rejected two Elliott bids, claiming they “significantly undervalued” the company, while JD.com ended up not making an offer. The two companies walked away earlier this month, quashing speculation over an imminent takeover of the chain.

Mr Baldock said the takeover speculation “seems to have passed”,

MIDEA air fryer

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Midea‘s Two Zone Air Fryer Wins USA TODAY Reviewed Awards
Midea’s “Double Decker” Two Zone Air Fryer has earned the esteemed USA TODAY Reviewed Awards in the in the Inspired Home Show 2024, marking another success in culinary innovation.
The awards are independently selected by Reviewed’s editors. The “Double Decker” stood out thanks to its space-saving feature and its capability of fulfilling multiple functions in one small appliance. “This unique air fryer features a traditional air-fry basket above a toaster-oven style cavity,” Reviewed’s editor said, “combining the best elements of basket-style air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens.”
Equipped with 10 cooking functions ranging from air frying to dehydrating, this appliance exemplifies Midea’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance everyday living experiences.

Smeg sea salt green

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Smeg has long been renowned for its colourful and eye-catching options across its Retro range of appliances, it also offers a variety of neutral options including cream, white, and taupe. The latest shade to be added to the range is Sea Salt Green – A distinctive colour but also a versatile neutral, perfect for pairing with both warm and cool tones within the kitchen. Its natural elegance and timeless appeal make it the ideal choice for those seeking a colour that transcends trends and will never go out of style. The surface of the fridge features an extraordinary soft to touch effect, introducing a unique tactile texture into the kitchen

United States Small Household Appliances Market

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In 2023, the US small household appliances market was valued at US$27.17 billion, and is probable to reach US$38.01 billion by 2029. The US small household appliances market volume is expected to grow to 456.58 million in 2029. The US small household appliances market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.87%, during the forecast period of 2024-2029.

Sabaf launches the new Hinges Division

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Sabaf Group , an Italian multinational among the world leaders in components for household appliances, strengthens its offer in the hinges sector, launching a Hinges Division which brings together three historic brands such as Cmi, Faringosi and Mec , thus becoming the most important manufacturer in the world hinges market for ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, wine cellars, microwave ovens and other domestic appliances.

With around 70 million in turnover, the Hinges Division represents 30% of the group’s turnover , second only to the Gas Division. Thanks to the synergy of the various souls that compose it, the Sabaf Group Hinges Division is able to cover the demand for products from the entire world market , boasting presences in strategic countries such as Italy, Turkey, Poland, the United States and Mexico.

At the next Eurocucina (Fiera Milano Rho, 16-21 April) a primary Sabaf Group customer will present an oven with a Faringosi motorized hinge , which allows the door to be opened and closed in totally automatic mode. From remote control to silence, from resistance to mechanical fluidity, the hinge becomes the axis on which to develop increasingly sophisticated and high tech household appliances

Haier iF Design Award

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Haier brand won the iF Design Award in the Kitchen Appliance category, standing out among over 11,000 nominations from 72 countries . These are two Haier ID Series ovens (the ID Ultimate S6 oven and ID Advanced Oven Series 4 ) unique in their design and technologies, both designed by the Milan Experience Design Center of Haier Europe, led by Federico Ferretti and formed by a group multidisciplinary and multicultural talents of different nationalities, divided into three specialized and synergistic disciplines: experience strategy, experience interaction and product experience .Haier ID Ultimate S6 oven is designed for consumers looking for a perfect blend with the home environment. Mimesis is achieved thanks to two main features: the “over the edge” handle (which acts as a bridge between internal and external design, enhancing the perception of craftsmanship without compromising practicality) and the “dead-front” display which, thanks to the Artificial Intelligence recognizes the dishes inserted, guaranteeing more streamlined procedures for programming the desired cooking. Plus not to forget the Partlight light bar , which increases the intensity depending on the feedback to be shared.


Haier ID Advanced Oven Series 4 integrates perfectly with the kitchen thanks to the carefully chosen traditional materials , which become a real experience: the glass is liquid, the metal welcoming. The design was conceived and created to last over the years, without ceasing to capture the senses. The oven uses the most advanced Haier technologies and unique details such as the camouflage handle and front glass : when it is turned off you can’t see anything in the cavity, the product blends in completely with the environment

Lincat cuts salamander grill energy us

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Lincat claims has devised a solution for operators that waste electricity by leaving their salamander grills on all day even when not in use.

The British manufacturer company reckons its new Silverlink Eco Electric salamander grill consumes half the energy of its popular Silverlink GR3 model, simply by reengineering it with a ‘jog to sprint’ approach. “Salamanders play a critical role in kitchen operations but tend to remain at full power for up to 12-15 hours daily despite being actively used for only 2-3 hours

Rather than fully powering off and cooling down when idle, the grill enters a low-power sleep mode, conserving energy while keeping the cavity warm. When needed, it swiftly transitions into boost mode, ready for immediate use with the simple press of a button.”