Samsung Electronics today announced that its new all-in-one robot vacuum cleaner, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI,¹ and its Family Hub Refrigerators² have been verified to level ‘Diamond’ by UL Solutions for their IoT security capabilities. UL Solutions Inc., is a leading global safety science company that evaluates hundreds of marketing claims each year, and one of their services, the UL Verified IoT Device Security Rating process verifies smart home devices for hacking risks and security levels. The Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ became the first in the home appliance industry to gain the ‘Diamond’ level, and other Family Hub models and the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI also achieved the same verification.

UL Solutions divides the level of performance into 5 levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each level requires rigorous testing, and of them, the highest ‘Diamond’ level is only given after products pass tests evaluating the ability to detect malicious software modulation, prevent illegal access attempts, and anonymize user data. Especially, the products that achieve this highest level differentiate from level ‘Platinum’ in that they must have the ability to test unknown potential vulnerabilities, and operate programs for early detection of security vulnerabilities as well.

The importance of IoT security grows as Samsung builds its products to be more intelligent, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) features to a host of product lineups and connecting them through SmartThings. Samsung’s devices are built to communicate with each other so that with one signal, multiple devices smartly adjust themselves.

“AI is becoming a bigger part of our everyday lives, and this is especially apparent in the fact that it is being applied to home appliances. With that being the case, security is naturally becoming more important,” said Miyoung Yoo, EVP and Head of the Software Development Team, Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We at Samsung are putting a huge amount of effort into making sure that data security enhancements come hand-in-hand with our technological advancements. The secure environment we provide will allow our customers to truly enjoy the connected experience enabled by AI.”

To establish this interconnected home environment, each device — as well as data transmitted between devices, must be protected. All Samsung home appliances are protected by ‘Samsung Knox,’ a unique series of security principles, and all WiFi-enabled products come with integrated circuit (IC) chips that encrypt data, protecting it from breaches and attacks. ‘Knox Matrix,’ a security solution designed to protect interconnected devices then strengthens security one step further. It secures sensitive information across multiple devices by supporting end-to-end encryption (E2EE) technology to encrypt all shared and synchronized data, and enables devices to intelligently monitor each other for security threats and send notifications to other devices in the event that one is attacked.

The two new products boast AI features designed to make the lives of users easier. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI comes with AI Object Recognition,³ an intelligent technology that recognizes humans,⁴ pets,⁵ and even hard-to-see items such as phone cables so that users do not have to do a “first screening clean-up” before running the vacuum. It also comes with Spatial Recognition⁶ technology that automatically draws the layout of the home, and recommends names for each section. Finally, the AI Floor Detect⁷ is feature that recognizes when the vacuum is on a carpet, determines the depth of the carpet and prevents it from getting wet by lifting the mop pads up into the vacuum when mopping

The newest edition of the Family Hub series, the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+⁸ also comes with multiple AI functions that serve users’ individual needs. ‘AI Vision Inside,’⁹ for one, intelligently recognizes fresh food items going in and out of the fridge and automatically creates a food list. ‘SmartThings Food’ then recommends recipes based on the available ingredients. Users can easily get ideas of what to eat, and also save food from going to waste because they can utilize various ingredients they have on hand.

¹ VR7M*97****
² RF**DB99****, RF**DB95****, RF**DG9H****, available in North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Korea
³ Object recognition may be affected by an object’s shape or the environmental conditions. Only certain object types can be recognized. Example items: air conditioner (stand type), refrigerator, BESPOKE (refrigerator/dishwasher), TV, washing machine/dryer, air purifier, AirDresser, sofa, bed, bookshelf, table, pet excrement, electrical cable, towel/sock, cup, glass, bottle, bowl, vase, floor mat, rug, coat rack, shoes, pedestal, scales, power extension, furniture with a crossbar, furniture legs, wheeled chair, pet fur ball, smartphone cable, stain, door step, and doorway. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required.
⁴ It only recognizes a human presence based on generic visual indicators, and cannot identify individual people. The recognition capabilities may be limited when a person’s entire body cannot be seen. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required.
⁵ Only dogs and cats can be recognized. It only recognizes a pet presence based on generic visual indicators, and cannot identify individual pets. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required. The recognition capabilities may be limited by the posture or position of a pet. The ability to recognize your pet may vary depending on the type of animal and the living environment.
⁶ Only certain spaces can be recognized. Example spaces: Kitchen, Living room, and ordinary room. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required.
⁷ Based on our deep learning model trained using predefined set of data and may yield incomplete or incorrect information. New datasets may be introduced to our learning model from time to time to enhance its accuracy.
⁸ A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. You must use a same log-in account between the devices.
⁹ As of April 2024, AI Vision Inside can recognize 33 fresh food items like fruits and vegetables. If the food is not recognizable, it may be listed as unknown item. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. It recognizes food items based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy.

Not only has the refrigerator’s touchscreen size been enhanced, the new, upgraded Family Hub now also offers even more services for your convenience as well as your entertainment. Check in on the status of your smart home, catch up on the news while dinner is cooking, customize your touchscreen with your favorite photos and even re-order pantry items, all right from the Family Hub screen.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about some of the new experiences you are set to have with the Bespoke 4-Door Flex With Family Hub+ and its enhanced screen.

This year, Samsung has added limited-edition panel art in collaboration with artist Alex Proba to its collection of exclusive Bespoke designs. The panels are on display at Samsung 837 in New York and the flagship Samsung Electronics store in Seoul, and limited editions are available for purchase in the U.S.

Adding New Dimensions to the Bespoke Experience

Through past collaborations with artists Thibaud Hérem, Andy Rementer and Danish lifestyle brand HAY, Samsung’s Bespoke appliances were transformed into statement pieces as these artists explored the limits of Bespoke’s customizability. French illustrator Hérem took inspiration from European architecture, while U.S. pop artist Rementer highlighted diversity with colorful portraits of communities, and HAY developed custom-blends of colors inspired by natural food ingredients.

“Our Bespoke collaborations serve as a gateway for exploring aspirational design, transforming standard home appliances into art,” said MH Bu, Head of Design Team, Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics. “It’s always exciting partnering with artists to see what their creativity will bring to the Bespoke line and how it can reimagine home designs around the world.”

Finding Inspiration in Everyday Moments

Proba is the founder of Brooklyn and Portland-based design studio StudioPROBA. She describes the inspiration for her art as coming from shapes and colors that evoke positive memories and happiness. The artist has worked with hundreds of global brands on several art pieces — including graphic, environmental and furniture design, as well as artwork.

Proba’s partnership with Samsung began when she was invited to design a room in Samsung’s product experience space, Samsung 837. Located in New York’s iconic Meatpacking district, Samsung 837 is a showroom where visitors can enjoy interactive experiences including virtual reality exhibitions, music performances and design installations such as the Bespoke My Home stages where Proba’s projects were first displayed.

Divided into three arrangements — Kitchen, Lounge and Studio — the spaces are designed by local artists reflecting their stylistic visions. Ceramics artist, Aliza Simons of Brooklyn based Henry Street Studio, designed the kitchen with earthy tones integrating various ceramics. Furniture designer, Stephen Burks arranged the lounge space creating a cozy and relaxing vibe by combining his unique style with Bespoke’s customizable designs. And Proba designed The Studio to reflect her own décor melding joyful colors and abstract shapes, and even including some of her personal belongings into the display.

Bringing Nature Inside via a New Medium

Thanks to this latest collaboration project, Proba’s exclusive designs for the Bespoke 4-Door Flex refrigerator are now available for consumer homes. “My work explores joy and happiness using colorful patterns and shapes inspired by nature,” said Proba. “Designing for Samsung’s Bespoke refrigerator was a new adventure for me, and a way for my art to transcend traditional mediums — bringing vibrant color with abstract patterns to unexpected places.”

Through their partnership with Proba, Samsung is offering consumers an exclusive motif inspired by the beauty of the world outside. To learn more about Proba’s Bespoke 4-Door Flex refrigerators and to make reservations, follow this link.

▲ Alex Proba installations at Digital Plaza

An All-New Way To Add Color to Your Kitchen

Proba’s limited-edition designs come as Samsung is offering its first Bespoke French Door refrigerators to the global market. Available in a 3-door and 4-door configuration — including the Family Hub options for both — these new refrigerators offer the latest in space saving and cooling technologies in a uniquely Bespoke package.

As practical as they are beautiful, advanced features in the Bespoke French Door refrigerators allow for optimal food storage that keeps food fresh longer by adjusting temperature and humidity. Chilled, filtered water is always ready in the built-in pitcher with flavor infusion options, and ice is quickly made in both cubes and ice bites to freshen up drinks.

The Bespoke French Door refrigerators will be available starting March in two materials, glass and steel, with a wide spectrum of colors to match. Glass options include striking shades like Clementine, Sunrise Yellow, Pink, Morning Blue, Charcoal, Gray and White, while steel options include timeless classics such as Emerald Green, Navy, Tuscan, Matte Black and Stainless.¹ Check out the full range of Bespoke refrigerator offerings at Samsung.com, and stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for the latest news about all things Bespoke.

¹ Available models and colors vary by region.

The IDEA 2021 awards for Samsung include creative designs across multiple categories, showcasing Samsung’s excellence in consumer lifestyle design from product design to interactive and advanced concept design.

IDEA, hosted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), has been held annually since 1980. Widely viewed as the most influential design awards program in North America, IDEA considers design innovation, benefit to user and benefit to society as part of its criteria for selecting its awardees.

Samsung attained seven Silver awards for its cutting-edge creations including:

• Samsung Neo QLED 8K (QN900A), which deploys the Infinity Screen design that maximizes immersion by minimizing the bezel.

• Bespoke Cube air purifier (AX9500N) with the innovative concept of letting consumers choose the purifier’s front panel design according to their lifestyle.

• Bespoke Slim (VS6800AL),¹ a vacuum cleaner, which offers a slim and customizable design that fits in a small space.

• SmartThings Cooking, enabling one-stop culinary experience powered by Whisk’s Food AI.

The following received Bronze awards:

• The Frame, a lifestyle TV that can be matched to any home décor and features ‘Art Mode’, which allows viewers to enjoy masterpieces from their homes.

• The Premiere, a lifestyle projector designed for those who want to create a theater-like environment in their homes.

• Bespoke 4-Door Flex refrigerator, which helps consumers achieve their desired lifestyles through flexible, personalized offerings.

“The pandemic affected consumers’ lifestyles in many ways, so it is more important than ever to keep an eye on how those change and to offer meaningful experiences to consumers accordingly,” said Dontae Lee, Executive Vice President and the Head of Corporate Design Center at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to provide optimized experiences for consumers based on a variety of lifestyles with the design that best resonates with them.”

The IDEA 2021 Ceremony was held virtually on September 21. The International Design Conference is also being held virtually for two days from September 22 to 23. Dontae Lee is scheduled to deliver a keynote titled ‘Design for a Better Tomorrow’ at the event.

The list of all 48 award-winning designs can be found here.

¹ The product is currently available in Korean market.