GoKawiilDeveloper builds custom root-level home screen and voice assistant for LG webOS TVs
A hobbyist project called R2D2 replaces a webOS smart TV's stock interface with a locally hosted home screen, a private sandboxed browser, and a push-to-talk voice assistant. The system works by pairing the TV with a separate Linux compute host that renders Chromium and runs speech-recognition models, streaming output back to the TV over the local network. The creator has published the source code along with detailed warnings that the setup requires rooting the TV and patching vendor system services on one specific firmware build.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project illustrates a DIY approach to privacy and control on smart TVs, letting a user strip out vendor software, telemetry and cloud dependencies in favor of locally run alternatives. Because it requires root access and firmware-specific binary patches, it carries real risk of bricking or disabling the TV, which the creator explicitly flags, and it is unlikely to generalize beyond the single tested hardware/firmware combination. It is not affiliated with LG, Disney, or Lucasfilm, underscoring that it's an independent, unsupported tinkering project rather than a commercial product.
- R2D2 replaces webOS's stock home screen, browser and voice assistant with locally run, privacy-focused alternatives.
- It requires rooting the TV and patching vendor services tied to one specific firmware build, risking permanent malfunction.
- The project is open-sourced but validated on only a single TV/firmware/host combination, with no universal installer.
LG webOS Smart TV — This project is built specifically for LG's webOS smart TVs, turning them into a hackable platform for a local home screen, private browser, and voice assistant. If you're intrigued by the R2D2 project, owning an LG webOS TV is the natural starting point for experimenting with this kind of customization. It's a great way to explore both the polished factory experience and the tinkerer's rabbit hole described in the article.
See LG webOS Smart TV on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: github.com, 2026-10-23
Published there as: “Show HN: Making a smart TV dumb and then smart”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.