[Digital Times, Kim Eun] Chinese household appliance companies are launching Korean like refrigerators one after another.

Unlike in the past, when Chinese companies have urged design copying, Chinese household appliance companies have now been threatening the Korean household appliance industry by applying key technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to industry sources on May 21, the second-largest e-commerce company in China, JD.com will launch smart refrigerators, which is able to recognize interior materials and shop by using display and smartphone applications installed in refrigerators during the first half of this year.

It is equipped with external display similar to domestic products and its capacity is 296ℓ in the case of external design. Above all, the main function of this product is imitated `food management` of the chef collection Family Hub 2.0 that Samsung Electronics has introduced before. Smartphone applications are able to check the condition of food in the refrigerator and shopping at a time to make it possible to have a feature. The company is chasing not only the appearance but also the core function as well.

This is not the only copy case of Korean products from Chinese companies. Chinese company, Haier, which acquired GE`s household appliance division, recently introduced a smart refrigerator with a 21.5 inch dual touch screen. The refrigerator can be linked to other devices, or healthcare functions can be implemented using a dual touch screen. Haier has applied UX that Samsung Electronics and other domestic home appliances manufacturers have already introduced before.

Earlier, Haier launched the T-Door Series refrigerator and imitated LG Electronics` 2012 top refrigerated, bottom freezer and transparent displays. China`s Midea, Hisense, TCL, and Galanz also use imitated products that copy Samsung`s family hub functions such as food management, food online, music and TV entertainment, and smartphone interoperability. Not only China but also Turkey`s Vestal Elektronik and Germany`s Bosch have also launched products in similar concepts.

Korean household appliance companies are struggling in China as Chinese companies are imitating Korean products. According to the industry, the Korean companies’ market share of household appliances in China is less than 5%.

An industry expert said, "Chinese companies are rapidly pursuing household appliance innovation technologies of Korean companies. Although Korean companies are still dominant in terms of technology and design, if they do not offer differentiated values, it will definitely be a threat. "

By Kim Eun silverkim@


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