Naver's 'Friends' voice assistant speaker features its AI platform "Clova". [Courtesy of Naver]
In an effort to strengthen its competitiveness in South Korea's IPTV and home IoT services, LG U+, a cellular carrier which provides a variety of mobile services, forged a strategic alliance to use Naver's artificial intelligence platform for smart home services.
In a joint ceremony on Monday, LG U+ unveiled its new smart home service "U+ Urijip AI". Naver's AI speaker serves as a control hub, enabling users to control devices connected to a home IoT network through voice commands. Users can search for keywords while watching an IPTV or turn off IoT devices using the speaker.
LG U+, which has more than one million IPTV subscribers, predicted the new service, based on the combination of an AI speaker, IPTV and IoT, would bring a great synergy effect in boosting the number of subscribers.
"We will try to secure a solid top place in the home media business by providing enough value for our customers," LG U+ vice chairman Kwon Yong-su said.
The synergy of IoT, IPTV and AI has made it possible to provide high-quality home service, he said. "We will provide differentiated value through customized home service through bid data, which will make home life more convenient and enriching."
LG U+ plans to introduce its own AI assistant system later. Its sister company, LG Electronics, unveiled an AI speaker fitted with Naver's AI, Clova, in November.
Domestic rivals including KT and SKT have provided home IoT services with their own AI software and assistant speaker platforms, carrying out aggressive promotions.
"Although AI speakers have been prepared much later than competitors, LG U+ is able to strengthen its competitiveness in IPTV and IoT businesses in cooperation with Naver's AI," Kwon said.
IPTV (internet protocol television) provides contents services similar to that of a cable TV service through an internet connection. According to science ministry data in November, there are about 13 million IPTV users and more than 4.4 million IoT service users in South Korea. IoT services are favored by many tech-savvy users because of convenient control of connected home appliances and smart devices.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
