LG Smart Appliances Can Now Talk With Alexa, Google Assistant

Say what you want about LG, but one thing you can't say is that it's not willing to play nice with its competitors. While it has its own platforms, like webOS and SmartThinQ, it isn't beyond opening its doors to rivals. At least if that's where the market is headed. And since the market does seem to be headed towards the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home, LG has announced that its 2017 line of smart home devices and connected appliances will be able to connect with Alexa and Google Assistant, offering users hands-free access to its products.

Using Google Home, or any Android phone or iPhone with Google Assistant installed, users can check the status of any LG smart home device, from washing machine to fridge. One such refrigerator, LG's new Smart InstaView Door-in-Door, is also compatible with Alexa via LG's own webOS platform. There are practically no limits to what you can do with the integration, as you have access to all of Alexa's skills, which happens to also connect with dozens other smart home devices you might have around.

Of course, LG has its own smart home platform and it is beefing that up as well. Rather than just using Alexa or Google Assistant, LG has its own Deep ThinQ intelligent voice platform that ties into its SmartThinQ Hub, which then controls other smart devices that utilize the Zigbee protocol, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

But since barking out orders in a crowded showroom might not be the most exciting, let alone practical, exercise, LG will instead be showing off robots at IFA 2017. Its intelligent robots, which have already debuted in Korea, will be making their first public appearance in Europe in the coming days. These include the friendly Hub Robot, the Airport Guide Robot, the Airport Cleaning Robot, and its newest addition, the Lawn Mowing Robot.

SOURCE: LG