LG Electronics expands AI refrigerator lineup, boosting convenience with a drawer-style freezer

[Financial News] LG Electronics has unveiled a new refrigerator with an ice maker and water purifier, designed to make it easier to use with AI features and a drawer-style freezer. It can freely switch between refrigeration and freezer modes depending on the food being stored, while AI learns users’ lifestyle patterns to improve freshness management and energy efficiency. 
LG Electronics said on the 26th that it had launched the new ‘LG DIOS AI Objet Collection STEM Ice and Water Purifier Refrigerator.’ 
STEM is LG Electronics’ line of direct-plumbed refrigerators that supply water and make ice through a direct water line. It offers various types of ice, including Craft Ice, cubed ice and crushed ice. 
A key feature of the new model is that it replaces the existing side-by-side refrigerator’s bottom freezer with a drawer-style design comprising middle and lower compartments. When a drawer is opened, users can see and retrieve food at a glance from above, reducing the need to bend deeply or kneel. LG Electronics said the design was informed by an ergonomic analysis of factors including the degree of bending at the waist and legs and the muscle use required to maintain posture. 
The middle compartment features a ‘Convertible Drawer’ that can switch freely between refrigeration and freezer functions. Users can choose from a total of 14 storage modes tailored to different foods through the LG ThinQ app. The lower compartment is equipped with a freezing function and an Auto Ice Maker that makes ice automatically. 
AI-powered freshness management features have also been enhanced. ‘AI Fresh Care’ learns when the refrigerator is used and how often its door is opened and closed, then activates intensive cooling in advance of meal preparation. During periods of low usage, ‘AI Saving Mode’ optimizes compressor operation to improve energy efficiency. 
The AI voice-recognition feature can recommend suitable storage methods based on the type of food and how long it will be stored. The number of ‘Fresh Customization’ compartments, which provide food-specific temperature settings, has increased from one to two. The refrigerator also features technology that inhibits bacterial growth in the interior air and removes odors, as well as an ‘Auto Closing’ function that automatically shuts the door when it reaches a certain angle. 
The design incorporates ‘Fit & Max,’ which minimizes the gap between the refrigerator and the wall. With Zero Clearance Hinge technology, the refrigerator can be installed with just 4 mm of clearance on each side and a minimum of 9 mm above it, enabling a built-in look. 
Kim Jae-il, head of LG Electronics’ Kitchen Solution Business Division, said, “We will offer customers a differentiated experience in the domestic refrigerator market with our new Convertible Drawer model at the forefront,” adding, “We will continue to further enhance the core performance of our products and introduce home appliances optimized for customers’ diverse lifestyles.” 
[email protected] Lim Su-bin Reporter