In the color TV industry, it is generally believed that the domestic market has a ceiling of 50 million units. However, by 2016, retail sales had already surpassed this limit, and the market in 2017 was essentially overdrawn. At the same time, rising costs from upstream industries further slowed down the growth of the color TV market, leading to a prolonged period of stagnation. Additionally, the entry of new brands—especially internet-based companies—has significantly reduced the average profit margins of traditional TV manufacturers.
Amid these challenges, the need for innovation and transformation in the color TV market became more urgent. The emergence of smart TVs with VR and AR concepts initially sparked interest, but the trend failed to gain momentum, and the VR/AR boom eventually faded from consumer attention.
Artificial intelligence then emerged as a promising breakthrough. The global public first became aware of AI through Google's AlphaGo defeating world Go champion Lee Sedol, which highlighted the potential of deep learning. In response to market stagnation, Internet TV companies began integrating AI into their products, starting with voice interaction as a key feature.
Many consumers viewed this as just another gimmick. After all, voice control is already common on smartphones. Why is it now being hailed as cutting-edge technology for TVs? During the annual spring TV shows, every manufacturer emphasized their own voice recognition capabilities, raising questions about whether this is just a marketing ploy or a real innovation. Could intelligent voice technology truly revitalize the entire color TV market?
To address this, various TV brands have introduced unique AI-powered features. For example, Micro Whale launched its high-end "Micro Whale Smart Voice TV 2.0" and partnered with Keda Xunfei, MIT Media Lab, and Microsoft to enhance voice control, face recognition, and multimedia interaction. Storm introduced an AI assistant called "Storm Big Ears," allowing users to ask questions and get instant answers, while also offering voice shopping and personalized content recommendations. TCL developed "Small T," an AI assistant capable of perception, cognition, and service, working closely with Tencent and Alibaba to provide seamless voice-activated experiences.
Hisense’s VIDAA AI system stands out with its advanced semantic engine, supporting multi-dialect recognition and even identifying up to 33 family members based on voiceprints. Changhong launched the AI Center, a TV-centric platform that uses far-field voice and voiceprint recognition to interact directly with users. These innovations highlight the growing emphasis on AI in the TV industry.
However, despite these efforts, many still argue that the current state of voice interaction is only at the level of basic speech recognition, not true AI. Real artificial intelligence requires deeper understanding of context and user behavior. For instance, when a user says, “a love movie†or “a Hollywood blockbuster,†the TV should be able to analyze preferences and recommend content accordingly. This level of personalization and natural dialogue is what defines a truly intelligent TV.
Looking ahead, the integration of AI with cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things will enable TVs to learn, evolve, and adapt to user needs. As AI matures, it will become a central hub in smart homes, simplifying daily life and enabling seamless control of home devices. From answering questions to managing household tasks, AI-powered TVs are set to transform how we interact with technology.
The future of smart TVs lies in their ability to understand and anticipate user needs, making them not just entertainment devices, but essential components of a connected, intelligent lifestyle. As the technology continues to develop, the vision of a truly smart home becomes increasingly tangible.
Shanghai Janetec Electric Co., Ltd. , https://www.janetecelectric.com