World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Panasonic adds voice control

UK: Panasonic has introduced voice control with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to its air conditioning portfolio. 

Panasonic’s solutions that are compatible with the Comfort Cloud app, including all its domestic air conditioners and PACi systems, can now be voice-activated to provide simple and convenient control.

This new functionality is said to offer a wide variety of benefits for both the commercial and residential markets. For example, homeowners who are used to controlling their lighting and audio with their voice can now also set preferences for their Panasonic air conditioning system to create the desired environment. Once paired with a Panasonic air conditioning unit via the Comfort Cloud app, homeowners can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for simple tasks such as on/off, operating modes, temperature settings and checking operating status. For optimum comfort, a customised routine can also be created via settings in the Google Home app or Alexa Routines. Commands such as “OK, Google, Good Morning” can be programmed to set the desired temperature to save users time.

Voice control is also compatible with Panasonic PACi solutions for the commercial sector. Users can easily pre-determine working environments to provide the most suitable climate. For example, settings on the Comfort Cloud app such as temperature can be activated by voice command to pre-cool an office before employees arrive. This service can be easily administered by any worker via Amazon Alexa, or by inviting them to join via the Google Home app.

Panasonic voice control is available in English with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, with other languages rolling out over the coming months. 

Panasonic

Latest News

12th October 2026

Danfoss moves to mitigate cyberattack

FRANCE: Danfoss has said it is in close contact with supermarket customers in France affected by a cyberattack on Sunday night on its refrigeration controllers.
12th October 2026

Bitzer debuts screw compressor for data centre cooling

GERMANY: Bitzer is to launch a new screw compressor specifically developed for data centre cooling at the Chillventa exhibition, which begins tomorrow.
12th October 2026

Call for action on incorrect heat pump insulation

UK: Industry groups are backing calls for a crackdown on incorrectly specified and installed thermal insulation on heat pumps.
12th October 2026

French supermarkets hit by massive cyberattack

FRANCE: Cyberattackers are reported to have taken control of the refrigeration systems in hundreds of supermarkets in France, changing temperature settings and defrosting produce.
11th October 2026

Carrier cooler protects building workers

JAPAN: Construction workers building Tokyo’s Torch Tower, Japan’s tallest building, are being kept cool thanks to a temporary cooling system jointly developed by Carrier Japan.
11th October 2026

MHI expands sales of high temp heat pump

JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is expanding sales of its high-temperature ETI-W series centrifugal heat pump to overseas markets.