[Edaily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] LGELECTRONICS is introducing a new ice-and-water-dispensing refrigerator that allows users to set food storage modes and switch between freezing and refrigeration functions using voice commands.

LGELECTRONICS announced on the 26th that it has launched the “LG Dios AI Objet Collection STEM Ice and Water Refrigerator.” STEM is LGELECTRONICS’ brand of direct-water refrigerators that provide filtered water and ice through a direct water supply line. It can produce various types of ice, including Kraft Ice, cube ice, and crushed ice.

The new product replaces the conventional bottom-freezer double-door design with a drawer-style configuration consisting of a middle and bottom compartment. Opening the drawers allows users to see all food items at a glance from above, reducing the strain of having to bend over deeply or kneel when retrieving items.

The middle compartment, called the “Convertible Drawer,” can be freely switched between a freezer and a refrigerator. Users can select from a total of 14 storage modes via the LG Corp. ThinQ app, tailored to specific food items such as baby food, meal kits, dairy products, wine, kimchi, meat, and fish. The lower compartment features a freezer function and an automatic ice maker.

It also includes artificial intelligence (AI)-powered food and energy management features. “AI Fresh Care” learns the times when the refrigerator is most frequently used and the number of times the door is opened and closed, then activates an intensive cooling function before meal preparation. During periods of low usage, “AI Saving Mode” optimizes compressor operation to manage energy consumption.

Users can also receive voice guidance on storage methods and set the corresponding mode immediately. If a user says, “I’m going to store beef,” the refrigerator recommends a compartment and meat storage mode suitable for the storage period. Once the user selects the location and method, the mode for that compartment is automatically adjusted. Other home appliances connected to the ThinQ app can also be controlled from the refrigerator.

The number of “Fresh Custom Compartments,” which provide customized temperatures for specific foods, has been increased from one to two. The refrigerator also features a filter that inhibits bacterial growth and reduces odors, as well as a function that automatically closes the door at a specific angle.

The required wall clearance for installation has also been reduced. Only 4 mm of space is needed on each side of the refrigerator, and a minimum of 9 mm at the top. A 6.8-inch touch display is mounted on the front.

For subscribers, the company provides performance checks, filter replacements, and maintenance of the direct water supply line, water dispenser, and door rubber gaskets every three months. The cooling fins and cooling fan in the machine compartment at the back of the refrigerator are cleaned every 36 months.

Kim Jae-il, Head of LGELECTRONICS’ Kitchen Solutions Business Division, said, “Led by the new Convertible Drawer model, we will deliver a differentiated customer experience in the domestic refrigerator market.”