[IFA2022] Han Jong-hee: "Samsung Electronics' 'SmartThings' Year One of Popularization... Targeting 500 Million Users in 5 Years"

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Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics and Head of the DX (Device Experience) Division. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Berlin (Germany) = Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

"Starting this year, SmartThings will expand its concept from simply an Internet of Things (IoT) platform to an 'integrated connected experience.' This year marks the inaugural year of 'SmartThings popularization.'"

On the 2nd (local time), Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of the DX (Device Experience) division, stated this while announcing plans to expand the business model centered on the company's home appliance platform SmartThings to create a 'connected ecosystem.'

Han made these remarks at a press briefing held the day before IFA 2022, Europe's largest home appliance exhibition, which takes place over five days in Berlin, Germany. He shared the vision for the sustained growth of the DX division. Lee Jae-seung, President of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, also attended the briefing.

Han said, "For Samsung Electronics to grow alongside future generations, it must not only innovate technologically but also provide sustainable experiences," adding, "Based on 'SmartThings,' we will implement 'calm tech' that delivers personalized solutions without requiring much effort from users and will embed eco-friendliness throughout the company's management."

Han declared that the number of SmartThings application subscribers will more than double from the current 230 million to 500 million within five years. A prerequisite for this is the ability to interoperate with devices and services from other companies.

Samsung Electronics is considering applying the HCA standard, which includes 13 member companies such as LG Electronics. By the end of next year, it plans to equip 'almost all' of its home appliances with Wi-Fi to strengthen the connected experience among its products, and from next year, it will apply the HCA standard to TVs and home appliances to interconnect devices from the 13 member companies.

Han emphasized, "Many companies, including Samsung Electronics, have competitively launched IoT platforms, but many consumers still feel limitations when connecting various devices," and added, "We will popularize SmartThings to actively improve these inconveniences."

The first task for popularizing SmartThings is to expand interoperability with third-party devices. Han believes that strengthening the SmartThings ecosystem cannot be achieved by Samsung alone. Starting next year, major TV and home appliance products will be equipped with SmartThings hub functionality supporting the Matter standard, actively promoting connections with third-party devices alongside the SmartThings environment on mobile products.

First, starting this month, Samsung Electronics will establish special experience spaces called 'SmartThings Home' in major cities worldwide, beginning with Italy, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, to increase customer engagement opportunities.

Samsung will also accelerate improvements in its eco-friendly management system. Han said, "We will continue uninterrupted innovation not only in product performance and services but also in eco-friendly technologies so that customers can contribute to protecting the global environment simply by choosing and using our products."

Samsung Electronics supplies about 500 million products annually across home, office, and automotive sectors. If eco-friendly technologies are applied throughout the entire product lifecycle?from manufacturing, distribution, and use to disposal?it is expected to make a significant contribution to protecting the global environment. To date, Samsung has extensively developed and applied eco-friendly technologies more broadly than any other company, including smartphones and monitors made with recycled fishing net materials, solar cell remotes that can be charged by sunlight and indoor lighting, washing machines that reduce microplastic emissions, upcyclable eco-packaging, and lifetime warranties on digital inverter compressors and motors.

Han stated, "Sustainable environmental preservation requires everyone's cooperation," and added, "Samsung Electronics will continue not only its own efforts but also communication and collaboration with professional organizations and international bodies."

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