Samsung Developer Conference 2024
SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Electronics announced plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its Internet of Things (IoT) platform, SmartThings, and expand its reach across product lines, signaling a significant leap in smart home innovation.
The announcement came during the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024, held on October 3 at the McEnery Convention Center in Silicon Valley.
The SDC, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, serves as a global platform for Samsung to share its vision and innovations in software, services, and platforms.
Han Jong-Hee, vice chairman and head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the company’s commitment to strengthening competitiveness in the AI era and promoting open collaboration for mutual growth.
“Over the past decade, our efforts with developers and partners have allowed Samsung to continue its journey of innovation,” Han said in his keynote speech. He added, “In the future, Samsung products will be able to recognize who is speaking and which space they are in, enabling highly personalized experiences.”
Samsung plans to expand the SmartThings Hub, currently embedded in TVs, smart monitors, and Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerators, to appliances with 7-inch screens. This expansion will allow Samsung products to connect third-party devices without requiring a separate hub.
SmartThings, Samsung’s IoT platform, has grown into one of the world’s largest connected platforms over the past decade, boasting over 350 million subscribers globally and partnerships with more than 340 Works With SmartThings (WWST) certified collaborators.
The company also intends to strengthen AI capabilities in connected home products by applying Edge AI technology, which processes data within devices without relying on cloud services. This approach aims to deliver more personalized AI experiences across Samsung’s product range, from mobile devices to TVs and home appliances.
For instance, the system could recognize family members’ voices to prevent unauthorized device control and adjust temperature and humidity based on users’ locations and habits within the home.
Samsung also introduced the upcoming Home Insight service, set to launch this month. This SmartThings-based service analyzes user living patterns, device usage history, and home conditions to provide real-time information and necessary functions. The service will initially be available in South Korea and the United States before expanding to other regions.
In a move towards unified user experience, Samsung announced plans to integrate the user software experience across its major product lines under the name One UI starting next year. The company also expressed its intention to strengthen open collaborations with various companies, including Google, to expand AI experiences.
The event featured Laura Kohler, chief sustainability living officer at Kohler, a U.S.-based bathroom and kitchen appliance specialist, who introduced a partnership with Samsung. This collaboration will allow users to monitor and conserve water usage through SmartThings-connected devices like showers.
“By fully incorporating AI technology into SmartThings and expanding open partnerships, SmartThings will become a game-changer that differentiates Samsung’s products and services,” Han concluded, highlighting the platform’s potential to revolutionize smart home experiences.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
