Amazon, LG Partner on Alexa Voice Control Offering for Hotel TVs

Amazon and LG announced Tuesday an integration of Alexa AI with LG hotel TVs that use the webOS smart TV platform. Starting this year, hotels will be able to upgrade LG hotel TVs running webOS 6.0 or 5.0 to offer guests access to a custom Alexa voice control through LG’s far-field mic array accessory, they said. Hotel operators will be able to offer guests a natural language interface for TV and music navigation, and enable them to connect with specific hospitality functions such as ordering room service, calling up a weather report or integrating with in-room devices for smart lighting, motorized window shades and climate controls, said Richard Lewis, LG Business Solutions USA vice president-technology and research. On privacy concerns, LG said properties don’t have access to voice recordings, “and the experience is anonymous, meaning information about the speaker’s identity is not shared with Amazon.” The mic array accessory is compatible with LG TV networks using Pro:Centric Direct software; the TV is a hub for control of compatible wireless smart devices, without requiring a stand-alone control system, LG said. Hotel operators can develop custom announcements that use on-screen and audio communication for event announcements and check-out reminders. The mic array accessory is powered through a TV’s USB port and mounts to the top of the set; it’s ready to respond to requests once it's activated by guests upon arrival using the Alexa wake word, LG said. Guests who prefer to use a standard remote can turn off voice control by hitting a mute button, it said.