LAS VEGAS — While many smart home companies at CES 2026 are focusing on flashy AI displays, one Korean startup is gaining attention by looking beneath our feet. O’dlee Reality, a smart home solution firm, has unveiled a technology that translates Korea’s traditional underfloor heating—Ondol—into a modern, IoT-integrated system for the U.S. market.
The Origin: From Web Development to Warm Floors
O’dlee Reality didn’t start in the heating industry. Primarily a web and miniature development firm, the company’s pivot to “K-Heating” was born out of personal necessity. The founder, who lived in the United States, found the standard forced-air heating systems in American homes insufficient.
“I was so cold living in the U.S.,” the founder shared during the interview. “Coming from Korea, I missed the warmth of the floor. I couldn’t find a solution I liked, so I decided to build it myself.”
What started as a DIY project quickly gained traction when neighbors and friends visited. Their enthusiastic response prompted the founder to transition the prototype into a full-scale business.
What is ONDOHL?
ONDOHL is a smart underfloor heating solution specifically designed for easy installation in U.S. residential structures. It is not just a heater; it is a fully integrated Smart Home Solution that bridges the gap between traditional comfort and modern technology.
- IoT Integration: Fully compatible with global smart home ecosystems like Google Nest.
- High Efficiency: The team improved energy efficiency by 10% in the first prototype and is now achieving 30% efficiency in the second version.
- Smart Automation: The system features presence-sensing technology that automatically turns the heating on when you arrive and off when you leave, and can even track occupancy.
Tackling the American Market: Cost and Language
One of the biggest hurdles for underfloor heating in the U.S. has been the prohibitive cost of installation. O’dlee Reality is positioning ONDOHL as a “solution-oriented” product that simplifies this process, making the luxury of warm floors accessible to the average homeowner.
Beyond hardware, the company is on a mission to export Korean culture through terminology.
“Just as ‘Kimchi’ is now a universal word, I want ‘Ondol’ to become the global noun for underfloor heating,” the founder stated. “We are here to spread the term until the world calls it ONDOHL.”
ONDOHL at CES 2026
At this year’s CES, O’dlee Reality successfully demonstrated that traditional wisdom, when paired with advanced IoT, can solve universal problems. Their booth stood out as a prime example of how smart systems can enhance the fundamental human experience of comfort and warmth.
YouTube Interview Link : https://youtu.be/PbKQ9s1nFEA?si=hkrwXpbe41AHYqfR&t=718
