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representatives, a state-of-the-art training center, show room and
large warehouse for spare parts management. The training center
will aim to certify contractors, installers and distributers on Midea's
air conditioning business, specifically for installation and repair.
Additional enhanced support features will come later this year and
include online product registration and chat support through the
website.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Midea is also amplifying its research and development efforts in
North America. Established in early 2015, the Midea America
Research Center (MARC) in Louisville, KY, provides technical
expertise in developing home appliance products for the U.S.
market. MARC quickly outgrew its initial offices and broke ground
on a new custom-designed office and lab space last fall. The brand
new, 30,000 sq. ft. building will incorporate state-of-the-art lab
facilities, testing equipment, and engineering areas, as well as
office space for more than 60 people. It is scheduled to be fully
operational this spring.
Additionally, Midea's new emerging technology office is based
in San Jose (Silicon Valley), CA, and will focus on the company's
connected home products. There is also a new office in Boston,
MA, which is home to Midea's floor care product division, under
the Eureka brand.
EXPANDED CORPORATE OFFICE LOCATIONS
Finally, Midea is investing in its corporate sales and management
facilities to support its continued business growth. In particular,
while the company's Canadian office has relocated to a larger
space in Toronto due to the growing business in the region, Midea
America has hired dozens of employees in the last six months for
its offices across North America.
Please visit www.us.midea.com for additional information on
Midea and its portfolio of products.
CONVERSATIONAL APPLIANCES:
CONTROL YOUR HOME WITH YOUR VOICE
Amazon Alexa and GE Appliances
collaboration enables hands-free
convenience with voice control
What if you could find out when your dishwasher cycle would
be finished, preheat your oven or find out if your clothes are clean–
all with the sound of your voice? GE Appliances, a Haier company,
is the first Alexa skill to control a broad range of kitchen appliances
including refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, ranges, laundry
and more.
"Voice connectivity has a big role in the Internet of Things, as
well as in the home," said Liz VerSchure, vice president
responsible for GE Appliances connected strategy. "Integrating
our connected appliances with Alexa will help make consumers'
lives easier, more productive, and a little more fun."
Have your hands full or cleaning up a mess? GE Appliances
and Alexa now make it possible to preheat your oven with just
your voice. Hate to leave the kids while you check on the wash?
Ask Alexa the status of your cycle and save a trip.
Last year, Amazon launched the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) and
Alexa Voice Service (AVS), allowing developers to build Alexa
skills or integrate Alexa directly into their hardware, product or
service. Alexa is the brain behind Amazon Echo, a cloud-
connected speaker that offers hands-free voice control for
everything from music to weather and alarms. Today Alexa has
over 2,000 skills and continues to grow, with new skills being
added by third parties like GE Appliances, who want to connect
their products to voice capabilities.
I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ]
