LG Product Design, the Start of the Consumer Experience

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Home appliances, like furniture items, art and decorative objects, are an essential part of interior design. While flashy, attention-grabbing appliances have been quite popular at times, consumers today are showing a far greater appetite for subtle, sophisticated products that can bring harmony to their indoor spaces, rather than dominate them.

In 2018, to meet the rising demand for home appliances that can blend in well with each consumer’s decorating style, LG launched ‘LG Objet’, introducing a new concept in convergence products. LG Objet solutions are a premium combination of home appliances and furniture that delivers modern convenience as well as seamless stylistic and spatial integration

October 2020, the company took things to the next level with the unveiling of the ultra-elegant LG Objet Collection, further blurring the line between state-of-the-art home appliances and designer furnishings. Created to help bring harmony to any living space, LG Objet Collection products leverage the latest technologies to make daily life easier in multiple ways, along with an aesthetic that harmonizes effortlessly with one’s taste in décor, whatever it may be and however it might change. Offering various combinations of colors and finishes to choose from, the Collection presents a plethora of personalization possibilities

2022, LG once again raised the bar with the latest addition to the LG Objet Collection lineup: the groundbreaking MoodUP™ refrigerator. Featuring color-changing LED door panels that can be easily controlled with the LG ThinQ app, the unique MoodUP can enhance the atmosphere in the kitchen, reflect the user’s current mood or even help to brighten up their day. The ultimate fridge for those who enjoy variety and change in their living environment, the MoodUP can be ‘refreshed’ with a different color combo whenever the mood takes hold. And for those planning to redecorate their kitchen, the MoodUP can easily match any new décor by changing colors on the app.Prioritizing and expanding the customer experience, the MoodUP refrigerator can also change its colors or flash in time to music played through its built-in Bluetooth speaker – yet another example of how LG is rethinking home appliances and finding inventive ways to harmonize living space and lifestyle

MoodUP refrigerator is a perfect example of how LG products are developed by studying different customers’ lifestyles and reflecting their demands. Accordingly, LG product designers play a rather active role in the product development process from the very early stages.

Inspirations can even be found unexpectedly in everyday life experiences. To offer a personal anecdote, a few years ago, an idea for a new product came to me randomly at home. I noticed my wife separating my clothes from those of my daughter and washing them in different loads, an observation that helped our team come up with the LG TWINWash™. This game changer allows users to wash small loads in the compact LG SideKick washer below while running larger loads on top. It is always such a rewarding experience when our customers use our products the way we originally intended and to see them satisfied with the experience.What’s more, in my view, good home appliance design considers not only the functionality and the look of the product itself, but how that product can relate to and harmonize with the space in which it will be placed. Moreover, it should be able to fit in with any space and be able to accommodate the widest possible range of personal tastesTo achieve this, designers need to consider how the product will allow consumers to curate their space as they want it, without making compromises. This is why LG product designers focus on balancing convenience and customizability, form and function, to create seamless solutions that enhance the customer experience for each and every user.

This story was edited from an editorial feature article published in Yonhap.

By Chung Wook-jun, vice president and head of H&A Design Lab. at LG Electronics’ Life Innovation Design Center

Electrolux concluded the Open Innovation Program 2022

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After a 12-month process, Electrolux concluded the open innovation Booster Program which saw it collaborate with multiple partners to develop four cutting-edge business solutions in response to real business challenges. The Booster Program

The open innovation Booster Program was launched in 2018 to seek cutting-edge solutions from external partners such as start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and university spin-offs. This program offers Electrolux the opportunity to connect with some of the best thinkers on the market and partners the opportunity to work alongside a global company and have access to deep engineering expertise, R&D resources and network of Electrolux production
This year’s program partners, selected through a pitch process by the Electrolux Open Innovation team in May 2021, presented their final solutions at the digital Demo Day last Friday 23 September. Two have been developed to the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and two are now ready-to-use technologies.
“This is the power of collaboration for innovation,” says David Cronström, head of Strategy and Transformation. “We benefit from the knowledge and speed of small businesses, while providing them with a huge platform to scale innovations.”
With LED Tailor; Electrolux has developed ways to introduce blue LED light sanitation into our products, to preserve hygiene without using chemicals
With Cerebrumedge ; Electrolux has developed a digital ergonomic assessment system aimed at factory workers, using an AI-based mobile app with Enervibe ; Electrolux will be able to collect energy from the vibrations of the racks of our washer dryers. The solution proposed by Drishti ; allows to automate qualitative analysis in production and improve our operations using advanced AI.

The next step is to evaluate the outcome of the project together with our sponsoring teams,” continues Cronström. “We look forward to seeing the potential evolution of these solutions”

Two investors have an eminent interest in Whirlpool EMEA. But the sale may not happen at all

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3 2022 earnings call with investors, Whirlpool also commented on the announced review of its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) strategy. The company reported that a total of ten entities have expressed interest in this part of its business, two of which are currently potential investors. Whirlpool is now evaluating offers. It has been emphasized that this is a sale of “EMEA” as a whole and in no case will there be a sale to multiple entities piecemeal. In any case, the entire strategic review has reached its final stage, and the decision may be announced in the near future. However, Whirlpool has not yet announced anything concrete. Whether there is a possibility of some form of joint venture is not known. The official statement mentions two strategic investors. It is important to mention that the option is still in play, that no sale will ultimately take place and Whirpool will continue manufacturing in Europe. The company is ready for this option.

Third quarter in the red
As for the results themselves, they are significantly affected by the sale of Whirlpool’s assets in Russia to the Turkish Arçelik. The geopolitical situation and the fading of covid do not wish much for appliance sales this year. The 12.8% drop in sales isn’t much of a surprise. Whirlpool cut production by 35% in the third quarter because of this. On the other hand, the whole year 2022 will not be bad for Whirlpool by any means, as the company expects the second best result in its history

Barazza Icon

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The kitchens systems by Alta Cucine can be equipped with Icon, the innovative purifying oven created by Barazza. Icon ovens – the Italian kitchen manufacturer says – cover a wide range of needs: 60 ovens, combined steam and microwave, coffee machine, blast chiller and vacuum drawer or food warmer… multiple functions are combined with 5 elegant finishes (Glass, Steel, Exclusive, Trama, Mat) giving shape to personal style in the kitchen».

But Icon also features a very innovative function: it is able to purify the air encironment trought Zefiro, «the first system in the world – Alta Cucine underlines – to transform the built-in oven into a real air sanitiser. With the Zefiro system, the Barazza oven becomes to all intents and purposes a sanitiser for the home environment, improving the quality of life

This oven, in fact, purifies the air from viruses and bacteria, removes unpleasant odors from the kitchen environment and in operation together with the hood, the purification process becomes even faster. It also guarantees low consumption, thanks to the tangential ventilation and the automatic switching off of the internal light when sanitising is in operation.

The air to be sanitised – Alta Cucine explaines – is sucked in through holes specifically located on the rear side of the oven thanks to the appliance’s tangential ventilation. Once captured inside, the air is conveyed to the upper side of the oven and from there channelled through a double beam of germicidal ultraviolet light emitted by two UV-C LED plates. This beam of light is crucial: it modifies the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms it irradiates, preventing their reproduction and rendering them harmless to humans. At this point, after being purified of harmful substances and bad odours, the air is reintroduced into the environment by exploiting the slit on the front of the oven, between the controls and the

LG May closs Russian factory

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The South Korean company for the production of equipment LG may close a plant in the Moscow region (produces refrigerators, washing machines and televisions) and move production to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. Told “Kommersant” a source in the household appliances market.

LG is negotiating in Uzbekistan with Artel, which produces Samsung appliances. The company has not been operating a factory in Kazakhstan since 1998.According to experts, it would be more profitable to move production to Uzbekistan. According to one of the sources, part of the top management has already been relocated to Tashkent. Another source says that LG is negotiating with the authorities of Kazakhstan. After the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in f In February, manufacturers of electronics and household appliances began to stop deliveries of products to Russia.

LG suspended deliveries of products to Russia in March.

Whirlpool Cuts Production to Counter Falling Appliance Sales

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whirlpool are taking the most drastic steps in the shifting business by slashing production of its refrigerators, dish washers and other home appliances by more than a third to shrink inventories.

The company is among dozens of U.S.-based multinational companies confronting weakening consumer demand amid higher costs. Whirlpool says cutting production volume by 35% last quarter reduced inventories by $300 million.

The moves are among the many steps companies are taking to adjust to increasingly volatile consumer spending patterns. Household staples supplier Procter & Gamble is diversifying its production assortment to keep cash-crunched shoppers from switching to cheaper brands.

In its most recent quarter, higher commodity, materials and freight costs reduced P&G’s gross profit margin by 5.5 percentage points, which was fully offset by cost cuts and price increases.

Beko expects 100% of energy resources to be renewable by 2030

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The data shows, human activities and influence have generated an unprecedented climate and environmental crisis. Without going any further, each year around 2 billion tons of waste are generated in the world and, by 2050, the figure could grow to 3.4 billion tons.

In this context, Beko has integrated sustainability into all its axes, offering added value and providing solutions that are more respectful of the environment.

The recognition of the international group has been thanks to the saving of 2.17 million m3 of water with water efficiency projects and rainwater collection in factories, the use of more than 7,000 tons of recycled materials in its products and the initiative of 228 energy efficiency projects, between 2020 and 2021. In addition, through the use of recycled cardboard in their packaging, they have managed to save more than half a million trees in 2021.

The company’s commitment for 2030/2050 is to use 100% renewable energy resources, achieve 99% waste recycling in all global manufacturing operations and increase the use of recycled content up to 40% in its products. and reduce water and energy consumption per product by 45%. The goal for 2050 is to achieve net zero emissions throughout the value chain.

Innovative environmentally responsible technologies

Thanks to technology, Beko is constantly exploring new solutions that help consumers and, above all, respect the environment as an added value. Beko SaveWater dishwashers guarantee perfect cleaning results with 1/3 less water consumption. AutoDose® is another featured technology for dishwashers and washing machines, which dispenses the optimal amount of detergent, based on load and soil level. In washing machines, AquaTech® technology, thanks to the power of water, reduces washing time by half, which implies a consumption of up to 30% less energy than class A washing machines.

In relation to the recycling that has been generated since the project began in 2017, the company has managed to recycle more than 58 million plastic bottles with a reduction in CO2 emissions of almost 2,200 tons.

An example is the RecycledTub washer and dryer, made from plastic waste that has been transformed into an alternative raw material. For its part, the RecycledNet oven is made from waste extracted from fishing nets and industrial thread; while the RecycledDry dryer has been designed with an average of 15% recycled plastic. Finally, the BioCycle refrigerator is one of the products made with biocomposites to protect the plane

Global Repair Day: Currys launches tech emergency service

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Currys launches RepairLive, an on demand speedy repair service, available via video call
Experts from the largest electronics service centre in Europe on hand to help customers identify the cause of a fault, undertake DIY fixes and assist with arranging a repair
Service launches on laptop category and has been proven to reduce unnecessary repairs and returns, making it easier and quicker to get a customer’s kit back up and running
RepairLive is set to quickly scale to other categories, including TVs and Major Domestic Appliances
Builds on strengths of Currys’ popular and industry leading ShopLive video call service
Move further cements Currys’ position as the market leader in the retailing of technology Services

Xiaomi smart blender

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The new Xiaomi Smart Blender is now available in Spain and is the ideal product to complete the smart ecosystem of your home.

It is a kitchen appliance that is controlled through the Xiaomi Home application . It also incorporates a rotary button with a small integrated OLED screen and two additional touch buttons , which makes it a very simple and intuitive blender to operate.

Equipped with a high-power motor (1000 W) with variable frequency and added power, the Xiaomi Smart Blender has 9 speeds and 8 operating modes . Thus, it allows you to chop, puree and mix food quickly and efficiently, among many other possibilities. In addition, it can be used with all kinds of food, from liquids to hard consistency products. And it is that it has eight stainless steel serrated blades at multiple angles that allow you to mix and beat even the most difficult ingredients