LG Electronics (LG) has fully opened up the application programming interface (API) of its smart home platform, LG ThinQ, allowing developers to easily create smart spaces with LG devices.
Recently, LG launched the LG Smart Solution API Developer website (smartsolution.developer.lge.com) to officially open the LG ThinQ API. An API acts as a digital connector that allows different software to exchange functions transparently. Developers can use the open API to integrate various features of LG AI devices into their programs or systems, thereby improving their services.
The LG ThinQ API is divided into two categories: ThinQ API for individual users and ThinQ Business API for business partners. The ThinQ API allows remote control of LG devices installed in homes or buildings and facilitates integration with various platforms.
For individual users, the ThinQ API supports controlling and monitoring AI devices registered in the LG ThinQ app from various smart home platforms. Using the ThinQ API, anyone can easily create a personalized smart home that fits their lifestyle. For example, users of the global smart home platform Home Assistant can now connect and control 26 types of LG AI devices, including refrigerators and washing machines, in their existing smart home environment. Home Assistant is an open, community-based platform with approximately one million users worldwide who collaboratively develop various smart home functions such as device automation and functionality expansion.
-For businesses, the ThinQ Business API helps partners who manage office or residential buildings integrate and manage various LG products, from home appliances to commercial equipment such as HVAC and signage, with their existing applications. For example, large residential buildings can integrate LG devices with their existing management applications for more convenient use. Residents can reserve the use of LG washers and dryers in common areas through the building management app, or administrators can detect abnormal conditions in the building using temperature and temperature sensors. humidity control and respond quickly to problems with alert functions.
At the same time, LG accelerated the integration of external products and services into the LG ThinQ platform by acquiring Athom, known for its extensive connectivity with IoT devices. Homey, Athom’s smart home hub, currently connects more than 50,000 types of appliances and IoT devices, and Athom’s app store offers approximately 1,000 apps that connect and control branded products and services global companies such as Philips and Aqara. LG plans to integrate Athom’s broad open ecosystem and IoT device connectivity into the LG ThinQ On AI Home Hub, aiming to realize an AI home where generative AI better understands customers and provides solutions optimal spatial spaces.
“With the official launch of ThinQ AI, we aim to deepen engagement with smart home power users in the open-source community and expand our collaboration with B2B partners. This initiative will support our efforts to create smart home ecosystems powered by LG devices, enhancing customer experiences across multiple touchpoints,” said Kim Kun-woo, vice president of LG’s Home Appliance Solution Company.
