Bespoke Samsung home devices make chores easier, smarter

With Samsung Electronics Co.'s new bespoke AI induction stove, there is no need to keep checking the burner for fear of food boiling over while simmering as its artificial intelligence (AI) capability adjusts the temperature before that happens.

Samsung's AI refrigerator recommends recipes based on food ingredients. When the expiration date of food ingredients in the refrigerator is nearing, an alert will pop up on the LCD panel attached to the refrigerator.

These are among the 15 customized home appliance products Samsung unveiled during the “Welcome to Bespoke AI” media day held at its headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday.

They feature enhanced AI capabilities and connectivity to communicate and control the devices with just a greeting, such as “Hi Bixby,” or a touch on the screen either of a connected smartphone or directly on the device.

They come with AI chips, built-in Wi-Fi, internal cameras and sensors to offer state-of-the-art AI technology previously available only on smartphones and TVs. The latest smart home appliances also boast compatibility with Samsung's other smart devices.

Samsung said that the 2024 bespoke home appliance lineup embodies its vision of improving the overall home experience and enhancing the performance of appliances with AI and hyper-connectivity.

Its new home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, induction stovetops, vacuum cleaners and air conditioners can be controlled through the virtual assistant “Bixby,” which recognizes a user's voice.

If the user of an AI-powered air conditioner speaks a command like "Change to a mode that suits the current weather,” it senses the outside weather and works in the optimal mode.

“We will complete the vision of AI for All through smart home devices,” said Han Jong-hee, vice chairman and chief executive of Samsung Electronics, at the media day event. He heads the company’s Device eXperience (DX) division.

SMARTPHONE AS REMOTES

With the new lineup, smartphones can act as remote controls for air conditioners, air purifiers and robot vacuum cleaners.

When the distance between the mobile phone and the product is less than 10 meters, a pop-up for a remote-control message appears on the mobile phone and users can easily control home devices through the app.

The bespoke AI refrigerator creates a list of ingredients coming in and out of it through a camera and suggests recipes suited to the user's normal diet based on the contents. The refrigerator sends this information to the bespoke AI induction stovetop.

The AI-powered washer and dryer detects the weight and fabric of the laundry put in and provides an AI-tailored course that dries it in optimal conditions.

A seven-inch LCD panel attached to the home appliances shows the status of each device and energy use through a three-dimensional screen created based on the actual house structure.

Turning on AI saving mode can reduce power usage by up to 60%, depending on the product.

Write to Eui-Myung Park at uimyung@hankyung.com
Yeonhee Kim edited this article.