LG buys smart home platform Homey

LG Electronics (LG) has announced that it has acquired 80 percent of the shares in Athom, a company based in Enschede, the Netherlands. Athom is primarily known for its smart home hub "Homey", the Pro version of which can be connected to more than 50,000 devices and supports various connection methods such as WLAN, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Matter and Thread.

This open orientation apparently made Athom interesting for LG: according to LG, the purchase is a strategic step aimed at improving LG's connectivity in open smart home ecosystems. The acquisition of Athom has given LG the opportunity to integrate devices and services from other providers into its own ecosystem, in particular its ThinQ platforms.

In the official press release, LG even goes so far as to "underpin its claim" to take a leading role in the era of AI-driven home innovation in the future. The integration of the Athom system Homey will give the technology company more profound insights into the usage behavior of customers and accelerate the provision of personalized services.

Not the first acquisition

In 2021, LG already expanded its TV business into software by entering the market with its webOS platform. As part of this strategic realignment, LG also acquired Alphonso, a US-based global technology company specializing in television media, machine learning and big data analytics. Alphonso now operates as LG Ad Solutions, a core element of the webOS content and services business.

The current agreement includes plans to acquire the remaining 20 percent of Athom within the next three years. However, the Dutch company will continue to operate independently after the takeover and retain its business activities and brand management. The aim is to promote synergies in the areas of business development, research and development as well as platform utilization. (nij)