GE Appliances, LG Electronics, Whirlpool and others well-known manufacturers have announced that their appliances will connect with Google Assistant.
At the Google I/O developer conference in a series of timed announcements, Alphabet disclosed a list of current products or plans to integrate Google’s voice-controlled AI platform into consumer hardware.
Think of the data that marketers at these brands could have access to, as consumers of these products provide voice commands to turn up the temperature or start the laundry on a specific day or time. Although Google did not reveal the possibility of accessing the data, brands will have the capability to write into the platform the option to run reports on use.
For instance, the same Google Assistant technology that enables voice searches will integrate into GE smart appliance refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry machines, and water heaters. The connected devices will allow Google Home users to give voice commands to turn on the oven and other functions.
While support for GE products began this week, expect to see support for Assistant later this month.
LG revealed in a blog post that its Signature-branded washing machines, dryers, fridges, ovens and air purifiers will be fully compatible with Google Assistant through Google Home. With a voice command, users can adjust settings on the air purifier. The Google Assistant on Google Home provides real-time air quality readings as well as verbal feedback on operational status.
While Signature becomes the first in the LG lineup to offer Google Assistant on Google Home compatibility, the plan is to include LG Hom-Bot Turbo+ and LG smart air conditioner, with plans to expand the offering to additional products.
GE boasts to "talk with your WiFi appliances" and they will respond. The company Geneva's brand of smart refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and other appliances now work with Google Assistant.
Consumers also can control iRobot through Google Assistant.