LG’s new air conditioner directs cool air toward people it detects | The Verge


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Key Features of LG's Artcool AI Air Conditioner

LG's latest Artcool AI Air conditioner boasts improved energy efficiency by intelligently directing airflow towards detected occupants. It achieves this by sensing the room's layout and the position of people within the room.

Technology and Sensing

While LG hasn't disclosed the precise technology, it's likely using mmWave radar sensing, similar to what Samsung employs. This technology is sensitive enough to distinguish between a person and other objects, optimizing energy usage by avoiding cooling empty spaces.

Design and Aesthetics

Unlike previous models, the Artcool AI Air features a black mirror finish with a multi-line grille structure, foregoing the large LCD screen. This change in design prioritizes a cleaner, more minimalist look.

Energy Efficiency and Smart Features

The air conditioner incorporates temperature sensors that detect open windows, automatically switching to energy-saving mode. Users can monitor power usage and set limits through the LG ThinQ app, providing better control over energy consumption.

Pricing and Availability

LG hasn't yet announced pricing or availability details for the Artcool AI Air.

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The Artcool AI Air doesn’t look as artsy as LG’s previous Artcool air conditioners, but it does offer improved energy efficiency by detecting the room’s layout and the position of its occupants so it can direct airflow right to them.

The company hasn’t announced pricing or availability, nor does it detail what technology the Artcool AI Air is using. Ideally it’s relying on mmWave radar sensing — similar to what Samsung may rely on to bring ambient sensing to its Smart Things devices — which is sensitive enough to even detect a person’s rate of breathing. That technology could potentially allow the Artcool AI Air to differentiate between an actual person in a room, and a plant swaying back and forth in the airflow that it can ignore.

Previous additions to LG’s Artcool air conditioner line featured a 27-inch LCD screen on the front that can be used to display artwork or family photos in order to camouflage the wall-mounted unit as a piece of art. The new Artcool AI Air instead features a black mirror finish with a ”multi-line grille structure” on its front outlet designed to spread out and soften its airflow.

The air conditioner’s temperature sensors can detect when a window has been opened, LG says, automatically activating an energy-saving mode so that it stops producing cold air that’s possibly escaping outside. Through the LG ThinQ app, users can also monitor the unit’s power usage and set a limit, allowing them to balance their comfort level versus how high they’re willing to see their power bill rise.

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