Microsoft and LG embed AI into washing machines via Voice Live hub
Microsoft and LG Electronics are collaborating to bring AI into smart homes through appliances, not phones or speakers. At the Microsoft Industry Summit in Seoul, they unveiled Voice Live, a speech-to-speech AI agent integrated into LG’s ThinQ ON hub. This system replaces traditional voice assistants by using direct speech comprehension, enabling real-time interruptions and a more natural…
Key points
- Microsoft and LG partner to embed AI in appliances via Voice Live hub, not phones or speakers
- Voice Live uses direct speech comprehension for real-time interruptions, unlike text-based assistants
- LG plans free firmware update for existing ThinQ ON users in 2026, priced at $172 in Korea
The partnership marks Microsoft’s first major consumer-facing AI push beyond enterprise tools like Azure IoT and Copilot. LG’s hub, Matter-certified and Thread Border Router-compatible, supports over 750 devices, avoiding walled-garden lock-in. Unlike subscription-based models from Google ($20/month) or Amazon ($19.99/month), LG plans to release Voice Live as a free firmware update for existing ThinQ ON users in 2026. The hub’s launch price in Korea is $172, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to recurring-revenue smart home ecosystems.
Microsoft Entered the Smart Home Through Your Washing Machine, Not Your Phone
finance.yahoo.com · 2 October 2026
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