Guests staying at hotels with smart TVs from LG Electronics can now communicate with Alexa, thanks to the integration of Amazon’s Alexa AI with LG hotel TVs.
Using the webOS smart TV platform, the companies have codeveloped Alexa for Hospitality through LG’s far-field microphone array accessory. Like they do at home, guests just have to say “Alexa” to have access to a number of commands the virtual helper can answer.
“Alexa for Hospitality extends the simplicity of voice to even more places, making Alexa available to customers even when they’re away from home,” said Bram Duchovnay, director of Alexa smart properties, Amazon. “Alexa for Hospitality is designed for the needs of hospitality providers who want to offer convenient, engaging experiences for guests to make their stay more enjoyable.”
According to Chris Barton, head of system integration partner management, LG Business Solutions USA, the Alexa for Hospitality integration “allows hotel operators to offer a natural language interface for TV and music navigation while enabling guests to connect with specific hospitality functions such as ordering room service, checking the weather or integrating with in-room devices for smart lighting, motorized window shades and climate controls.”
Guests can also ask about the hours of the hotel restaurant or spa or order towels from housekeeping, among other commands, noted Duchovnay. Hotel operators can also develop custom announcements that use both on-screen and audio communication for things such as event announcements and check-out reminders.
While having Alexa access from the guestroom TV is certainly an attractive amenity to guests, it also has benefits for the hotel.
“The use of Alexa for Hospitality can potentially help increase a hotel’s revenues, reduce costs and improve guest satisfaction,” said Barton. “Amazon has even seen an uptick in guest purchases of hotel services and amenities with the integration of Alexa in hotel rooms.”
He pointed out that the platform also helps improve back-of-house efficiencies and saves staff members’ time. “Hotel operators can drive employee productivity by integrating Alexa with property management systems; guest request and engagement platforms; and smart room solutions to route, prioritize and fulfill requests efficiently,” Barton said. “This enables staff to focus on the guest interactions that matter most.”
Before this integration, Alexa for Hospitality could only be awakened via standalone devices. Having the platform run through the TV “simplifies propertywide system design and maintenance by eliminating the need for separate voice-activated devices in the hotel room,” said Barton. “With fewer total devices that require their own network connection, new installations can even achieve cost savings compared with existing multi-component voice-controlled solutions.”
The new solution is completely private and secure, according to LG. Properties do not have access to voice recordings, and information about the speaker’s identity is not shared with Amazon.
The far-field microphone array solution is powered through the TV’s USB port and mounts to the top of the set. It is powered using the “Alexa” wake word. Guests can push a mute button on the device if they prefer not to use voice commands.
It is also compatible with LG TV networks using Pro:Centric Direct software, through which the TV becomes a hub for control for compatible wireless smart devices.
