[IFA2022] Samsung Electronics Expands "SmartThings" from IoT to Personal Devices Worldwide

About 800 Attendees Including Global Media and Trade Partners

Most Home Appliances to Feature Wi-Fi by End of Next Year
'SmartThings Energy' Integration... Up to 70% Savings

Benjamin Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Samsung Electronics Europe, is delivering the opening speech at the Samsung press conference held on the 1st, one day before the IFA 2022, Europe's largest home appliance exhibition, taking place at Messe Berlin in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Berlin (Germany) = Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Samsung Electronics is expanding its home appliance platform 'SmartThings' beyond the Internet of Things (IoT) to encompass a personalized multi-device experience. The company plans to guide customers toward a 'smarter daily life' through systems that reduce usage tailored to individual lifestyles, rather than just automatic playback when absent.

Samsung Electronics announced that it held a press conference on the 1st, just before the opening of 'IFA 2022,' Europe's largest home appliance exhibition held in Berlin, Germany. The company shared its vision for 'a smarter daily life and a sustainable future.' The event took place at Samsung Electronics' exclusive exhibition hall, 'City Cube Berlin,' with about 800 attendees including global media and business partners.

Samsung Electronics redefined the concept of 'SmartThings' globally. It is not limited to an IoT platform but is expanded to cover the entire personalized multi-device experience created based on it. Samsung's products and services, as well as various devices provided by over 300 brands, are connected.

Benjamin Brown, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Samsung Electronics Europe, who delivered the keynote speech, said, "Samsung Electronics will propose new ways for consumers to live healthy and enjoyable lives and innovative solutions to protect the global environment based on a more open and expanded SmartThings."

Energy efficiency is indispensable in future society. Samsung Electronics expressed its ambition to become the 'No.1 energy-efficient home appliance brand' at IFA 2022. Tanya Weller, head of home appliances at Samsung Electronics UK, said, "'SmartThings Energy' service will contribute to energy savings by controlling home appliances and various devices."

This month, Samsung Electronics will introduce high-efficiency refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners (EHS) to the European market that consume 10% less power than the highest grade under European energy standards. When operated in 'AI Saving Mode' of SmartThings Energy, the washing machine and dryer can save up to 70% and 20% of energy respectively (based on actual use), and the refrigerator's saving rate is expected to increase up to 30% by the end of this year.

Furthermore, by the end of next year, most refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners sold in Europe will be equipped with Wi-Fi to encourage additional energy savings through SmartThings Energy services. It will monitor the power consumption of connected home devices and switch to power-saving mode before reaching the consumer's set monthly electricity bill or power usage (kWh) target using the 'AI Saving Mode' feature.

Additionally, Samsung proposed solutions for building 'Net Zero Home' in collaboration with Hanwha Q CELLS by linking solar power. When SmartThings Energy is connected to solar modules and energy storage systems, AI Saving Mode is activated during grid power usage.

Other highlights include ▲ introduction of Patagonia collaboration washing machines that reduce microplastic emissions by up to 54% to protect marine environments ▲ expansion and licensing of eco-friendly solar cell remote controls charged by solar power, indoor lighting, and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi router signals ▲ 20-year free warranty on digital inverter compressors for refrigerators and digital inverter motors for washing machines and dryers in the European market ▲ use of recycled plastics such as discarded fishing nets and PET bottles applied to mobile devices like Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, and high-resolution monitors released this year.

Connectivity between devices was maximized. Danny Kent, head of marketing for Samsung Electronics Europe, and Oh Yujeong, product planning manager of the home appliance business unit, introduced lifestyles realized by connecting various 'Bespoke' home appliances such as the 'Galaxy Watch5,' 98-inch 'Neo QLED,' washing machines, dryers, ovens, and robot vacuum cleaners.

For example, for comfortable sleep, based on SmartThings, bedroom lights and TV can be turned off or bedside lights adjusted, and a personalized sleep coaching program can be created using the Galaxy Watch5. The 98-inch Neo QLED can be linked with the Galaxy Watch5 and smartphone camera to follow exercise movements on a large screen while checking heart rate and calories burned. It can also compare how accurate the user's movements are.

Samsung emphasized at the event that SmartThings provides unprecedented gaming and content viewing experiences. Mac Isaac, head of marketing for Europe, stressed, "Samsung Electronics offers products optimized for gaming and content, from the 55-inch curved Odyssey Ark monitor to the innovative Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4, and SmartThings makes this tremendous technology even more powerful." SmartThings enhances immersion. For example, even if you leave while watching a new TV series on Neo QLED, you can continue watching on a tablet or smartphone. Also, during vacations or camping, 'The Freestyle' allows sharing large-screen content with multiple people.

The 'Galaxy Buds2 Pro' easily connects not only with smartphones, Galaxy Watches, and tablets but also with 2022 TV models, enabling seamless switching between devices for an excellent audio experience. Samsung also introduced SmartThings 'Music Sync' in collaboration with smart lighting Philips Hue, which changes the color and brightness of lights in sync with music to differentiate the music listening experience.

Moreover, Samsung revealed a content partnership with TikTok, which has over one billion users worldwide, expressing its ambition to revitalize the music industry. Specific collaboration details between the two companies will be announced later.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics equipped the 'Samsung Gaming Hub,' a streaming game platform integration service, on 2022 smart TVs and smart monitors. Users can enjoy streaming games from various partners such as Microsoft Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Google Stadia, Utomik, and Amazon Luna without consoles or PCs. Detailed information about the announced products can be found by visiting the Samsung Electronics booth at City Cube Berlin from the 2nd to the 6th or through the Samsung Electronics website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.