LG Electronics has integrated a real-time voice AI technology, co-developed with Microsoft, into its smart home hub 'ThinQ ON'. The AI instantly recognizes new intentions even when users interrupt mid-conversation, eliminating the need to wait for responses to finish. This advancement delivers a more human-like conversational experience compared to conventional voice assistants.
On the 30th, LG Electronics unveiled the 'Speech-to-Speech' AI agent at the 'Microsoft Industry Summit' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. By applying the Microsoft co-developed 'Voice Live'-based agent to ThinQ ON, the technology enables natural voice interactions that mimic human dialogue, where participants seamlessly exchange speech.
Notably, it supports an 'interruption' feature. Even if a user asks a new question or gives a command before the AI's response ends, the system pauses the existing response, recognizes the new intent, and switches the conversation. Unlike previous models that converted speech to text for understanding and then back to speech for responses, this AI directly comprehends speech and generates immediate verbal replies.
An LG Electronics representative explained, “The interruption feature is essential for human-like conversations,” adding, “It can understand new user intents mid-dialogue and instantly transition to a new conversation.”
In the on-site demonstration, a continuous conversation occurred where the user asked 'ThinQ On' about the weather in Tokyo, Japan, and then inquired about appropriate clothing for a child. General AI conversations, such as asking for travel-related Japanese phrases, also followed.
Home appliance control was integrated into the same dialogue. When the user said, “The child seems hot,” ThinQ On suggested, “Shall I turn on the air conditioner?” After the user agreed, it activated the AC. Later, it executed a sleep routine, created and read a bedtime story for the child, showcasing generative AI and smart home capabilities.
LG Electronics plans to release ThinQ On with VoiceLive within the year. Existing ThinQ On users will also receive the new feature via firmware updates. The application scope extends beyond homes: LG aims to provide AI experiences tailored to spaces like nursing facilities, hotels, offices, and retail stores (B2B) in the future.
LG also introduced a strategy to combine voice AI and agents, connecting various appliances and services into a single AI experience. By applying LG AI Agent personas, the company intends to maintain consistent interactions with users—beyond mere voice command processing—by preserving the same tone and personality to build ongoing relationships, expanding the AI Home concept.
An LG Electronics representative emphasized, “We are continuously expanding the AI Home ecosystem to provide customers with a better daily life,” adding, “We will lead the AI Home era, where everyone can easily and conveniently enjoy AI, based on differentiated AI technology and personalized services.”
