The home appliance industry is expected to launch its smart home market by launching a series of products featuring the Internet of Things (IoT) in connection with mobile operators in the second half of this year.

According to industry sources on June 25, Coway, the number one Korean rental market, signed a business agreement with KT in 2015, and introduced a smart air care pilot project applying IoT from last year, followed by GiGa Genie, an artificial intelligence (AI) and new products that are linked to the market. Lee Hye-seon, CEO of Coway, from the beginning of this year, has expressed his intention to respond to the smart home market, which is the next generation growth engine, by collaborating with companies involved in the Internet of things as well as technology development.

Meanwhile, SK Magic will also sign a business agreement for SK Telecom Smart Home service this month. SK Magic has already launched an air cleaner equipped with IoT function and plans to launch a new electric range equipped with SK Telecom`s IoT technology in the second half of this year.

Shinil Industrial Co., Ltd uses LG U Plus`s IoT platform to provide functions to control the operating time and power of bidet, fan, etc. through smartphones. The company is developing a smart hot water mat and it is said to adjust the time of release.

LG Electronics launched the `Giga IoT Home Manager` service in cooperation with KT in April, which is linked to six types of air conditioners, air cleaners, refrigerators and washing machines. Cuckoo Electronics also cooperates with LG Uplus and has released IoT electric pressure cooker, air purifier and water purifier.

The reason why home appliance companies are working with mobile operators is that mobile operators have an IoT platform which can work with smart phones, and they have a fee calculation system and installation personnel, which is advantageous for smart home market.

An industry expert said, "Competition between mobile operators to preoccupy the smart home market and competition to launch new products by home appliances companies are fierce. As the commercialization of internet appliances becomes visible and security problems, there is a need to resolve the problem quickly."

By Kim Eun silverkim@


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