But what is it about Samsung’s laundry solutions that have captivated the industry and consumers alike? Demand for premium home appliances has increased in recent years, and Samsung’s success in this burgeoning field is due to its ability to create simple yet innovative laundry solutions, informed by consumer needs and enhanced by the power of IoT and AI. In an industry that has long been dominated by conventional solutions, Samsung’s disruptive technology redefines the laundry process as we know it.

Breakthrough Washing Performance

With convenience that doesn’t compromise performance being the top priority for consumers when choosing home appliances, Samsung has cemented its status within the market thanks to the key features of its two most advanced washers – the speed of QuickDrive and the flexibility of FlexWash. Though washing methods have significantly changed over time and improved throughout the industry, these latest laundry solutions are a testament to Samsung’s history of innovation, and rewrite the very definition of washing performance.

QuickDrive technology provides a full wash cycle in half the time of conventional machines^*, with all the fabric care, performance and durability users value. This unrivaled technology caters to the lifestyles of modern consumers by saving them valuable time to do more of the things they love. Its status as a leading laundry innovation was commended by this year’s CES Innovation Awards.

The FlexWash system offers the award-winning option to wash two loads of laundry at the same time, meeting the needs of consumers who require flexibility in their machine usage. Samsung’s unique dual laundry system and its unprecedented flexibility have transformed how people tackle multiple loads of laundry.

Intuitive Smart Features

Samsung washing machines with QuickDrive technology are also equipped with Q-rator^**, the company’s AI-powered intelligent laundry assistant, to further simplify the laundry process.

Q-rator provides users with intelligent and intuitive assistance through three main features: Laundry Planner enables consumers to specify a laundry finishing time; Laundry Recipe provides recommendations on the best wash cycle for a specific load; and HomeCare Wizard monitors a wash remotely for quick and responsive troubleshooting.

The difference that these ingenious features make in the washing process has been widely acknowledged by the industry. This year’s ‘Best of KBIS’ awards recognized both washers as leading in their fields, with QuickDrive receiving the ‘Smart Home Technology’ award for its best-in-class laundry innovation, and FlexWash receiving the ‘Kitchen Silver’ award for the flexibility that its multi-load and remote smartphone-control features provide.

Prudent Product Design

The innovation found in Samsung’s laundry solutions goes beyond the advanced technology built in to each washer. Both QuickDrive and FlexWash machines have been designed to provide the highest quality of performance and user experience.

At the heart of the QuickDrive offerings is the Q-Drum, consisting of a main drum as well as a back plate that rotate independently, unique in the industry. Unlike conventional washing machines, QuickDrive moves clothes dynamically around the drum in different directions.

The FlexWash washing machine’s dual washer capacity, combining a small upper washer with a bigger lower washer, enables users to run two different load types simultaneously and completely separately. This unique technology has won recognition from the Asian Conference on Ergonomics and Design for its holistic and compact design.

The two award-winning laundry solutions, QuickDrive and FlexWash, represent the fruition of Samsung’s drive to innovate while reflecting consumers’ lifestyles. Consumers, industry leaders and media around the world continue to recognize how these technologies allow people to do laundry more flexibly, so that they can achieve their highest quality wash yet – all while freeing up more time to spend on the important things in life.

^*Based on tests comparing the WW8800M with Samsung’s WW8500K model. Saves 50 percent of time during Cotton (a half load at 40℃ ) and eCotton cycles, with washing performance within ±2 percent. Reduces energy consumption by 20 percent during Cotton (half load at 40℃) and Super Speed cycles (5kg load at 40℃), based on Intertek data. The exact amount of time that QuickDrive saves users varies by region.

^**Compatible with both Android and iOS devices. A Samsung account and Wi-Fi connection are required.

Getting Smart around the Home

One of Samsung’s major smart products is the Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator, which launched earlier this year. It uses voice recognition to provide an intuitive way for users to not just connect with their kitchen, but also the world around them. Say, “Can you purchase cheese?” and the refrigerator asks you, “Which product? Please tell me the number.” as it shows an app screen that lets you order food directly from the screen. You can play music or find out what the weather is like as you communicate with the smart refrigerator. It even gives you ideas if you need recipe inspiration.

Next, there is QuickDrive, an intelligent washing machine that was showcased during IFA 2017. It includes an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, which suggests the best cycle for your laundry based on information you input. Tell it what type of garments you want to wash, how dirty they are and what color they are and it will do the rest. It also lets you set the time for when the loads will be done, meaning your washing will be ready at a time that’s convenient for you. Plus, the system monitors the machine remotely and alerts you if it’s having any issues.

Last but not least, there is POWERbot, Samsung’s smart robot vacuum cleaner that received a 2017 CES Innovation Award. It uses a full suite of sensors to map your space, remember where it’s cleaned, and detect and work around any obstacles in its way, while automatically adjusting its suction power on different surfaces.

Samsung, the Leading Player in the Smart Appliances Era 

The Family Hub sits at the core, serving as the nerve center of a broader connected ecosystem in the home. Each connected home appliance can be configured to reflect the unique preferences for every household. It is a true smart evolution that brings a meaningful experience to users. What’s more, Samsung’s hardware analyzes user information more effectively than ever, and that is what makes Samsung a company with true innovative competitiveness.

The company recently announced its plan to apply Samsung Connect to its various home appliances at IFA 2017. Samsung Connect is a connectivity platform capable of connecting and controlling IoT devices regardless of their operating system. When the smart functions of Samsung’s home appliances are connected through Samsung Connect, users will be able to enjoy a smart lifestyle.

As more and more intelligence is interwoven into new products and technology, Samsung Smart appliances will evolve IoT and deep learning technology, creating a great deal of synergy. It won’t be long until home appliance products use their IQ to provide users more convenience and more time to do the things they enjoy.

Introduced at IFA 2017, Samsung Electronics’ QuickDrive technology was created to provide consumers with the time-saving laundry solution they’ve always wanted but never had, without compromising washing performance*, energy efficiency, fabric care and durability. The result is a laundry solution that finishes cycles in half the time of conventional washers, while providing a thorough yet gentle clean.

Because Samsung firmly believes in glocalization, in which products are optimized for consumers in different countries, the company strives to craft innovations that cater to the unique lifestyles of consumers in markets around the world.

QuickDrive is a result of these efforts, and the latest product of a line of Samsung laundry technologies that have been met with acclaim in areas such as Europe, the birthplace of the drum washing machine. Each of those previous innovations, which include AddWash and EcoBubble, has enhanced consumers’ lifestyles by resolving key pain points.

When the time came to design the technology that would ultimately become QuickDrive, Samsung surveyed consumers in markets across the globe on the factors that matter most to them when buying a washer. The results indicated that washing performance was a leading determinant, and a washer’s ability to reduce the amount of time required to finish a load of laundry was key when assessing this.

QuickDrive was designed to provide entirely new levels of washing performance. The technology boasts several convenient Samsung innovations that not only drastically speed up laundry cycles, but also make the process much simpler and more energy efficient.

In addition to a convenient form, QuickDrive boasts an array of smart features designed to enhance modern consumers’ IoT-connected lives by taking considerable hassle out of managing laundry. These functions, which are provided by an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, include Laundry Recipe, which recommends optimal wash cycles based on factors like fabric type, color and degree of dirtiness; Laundry Planner, which allows you to schedule when you’d like your wash to finish; and HomeCare Wizard, which proactively alerts you of potential issues with your washer and provides you quick and simple maintenance tips to keep your washer at optimal condition.

Samsung’s WW8800M washing machine with QuickDrive technology will debut first in Europe before expanding to markets across the globe. To learn more about the innovative washer, check out the video below.

*Based on tests comparing the WW8800M with Samsung’s WW8500K model. Saves 50 percent of time during Cotton (a half load at 40℃ ) and eCotton cycles, with washing performance within ±2 percent. Reduces energy consumption by 20 percent during Cotton (half load at 40℃) and Super Speed cycles (5kg load at 40℃), based on Intertek data.

“QuickDrive is the industry’s game changer, dramatically cutting the amount of time it takes for users to do laundry and giving them more time to enjoy life,” said B.S. Suh, Executive Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “The new WW8800M washing machine uses QuickDrive technology to provide fast and powerful washing performance, with a range of technologies and smart functionality that make doing laundry so much easier.”

Improved Washing Performance with Samsung’s Unique Technology

Samsung’s QuickDrive technology cuts washing time by 50% and energy use by 20%¹ without compromising the cleaning performance. Its unique Q-Drum consists of a large main drum and a plate in the back that rotates independently. Unlike conventional washers that move clothes repeatedly up and down over the course of the cycle, the WW8800M moves clothes from top to bottom in the drum, and the plate in the back of the drum introduces a back and forth movement. It creates a revolutionary dynamic action powered by double forces that quickly, gently and thoroughly remove dirt to deliver an intense and complete wash cycle.

In addition, Samsung’s unrivalled QuickDrive technology was independently tested by Intertek, the world’s largest testing and inspection organization. Intertek confirmed that QuickDrive technology provides the same level of cleaning performance and fabric care as existing products, while reducing washing times.

The new WW8800M also has many of Samsung’s outstanding laundry technologies, like EcoBubble, which provides powerful washing performance by mixing air and water to generate fine detergent bubbles that penetrate fabrics faster and maximize the detergent’s effects even at low temperatures.

Smarter, IoT-enabled Washing Machine for User Convenience

Throughout the washing cycle, QuickDrive offers a range of smart and convenient features. The IoT-ready WW8800M boasts an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, which provides three key smart features that help manage laundry more conveniently.

• Laundry Planner enables consumers to manage a laundry finishing time, freeing consumers to control their schedule on their own terms.
• Laundry Recipe gives automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles based on the information such as color, fabric type, and degree of soiling inputted by the user, eliminating the need for guessing about which cycle is best.
• HomeCare Wizard monitors the washer by remote, proactively alerting users about potential problems and providing quick troubleshooting support.

The WW8800M also comes with Samsung’s innovative AddWash, a feature that gives users the ability to add items at any time during the cycle². From a forgotten sock to a delicate item³ that needs to go in later in the cycle, AddWash even allows users to add detergent or fabric softener at a later time. The combination of the Q-rator and AddWash creates a synergistic effect that further enhances the user convenience, simplifying the laundry process.

Designed for Higher Durability and Cost-efficiency

Finally, the WW8800M is designed for long-lasting performance. Equipped with Samsung’s Digital Inverter Technology, the WW8800M reduces noise and helps reduce energy consumption while providing exceptional durability⁴, enabling the washer to maintain its outstanding washing performance and fabric care. Additionally, the WW8800M offers various energy-saving features, including the ability to save up to 50% more on energy than the highest A+++ energy-efficiency standard for a wash cycle.⁵ It also uses a Ceramic Heater+ with a new type of anti-adhesion coating, which ensures up to 55 percent less scale buildup than conventional ceramic heaters⁶, helping the heater maintain its performance longer with more durability.

Samsung Electronics’ booth will be open at Level 2, City Cube Berlin from September 1 through 6 for IFA 2017.

1 Tested on WW8800M compared with Samsung WW8500K. Saves 50% time on Cotton (40℃, half load) and eCotton cycle with washing performance within ±2%. Saves 20% energy on Cotton (40℃, half load) and Super Speed cycle (40℃, 5kg load), based on Intertek data.

2 The Add Wash door only opens only when the drum temperature is below 50°C.

3 Only fabric items, clothing, detergent and softener can be added.

4 Awarded a 20-year durability certification by the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies in Germany (Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker – VDE).

5 e-Cotton course energy rating based on EU Energy Label standard.

6 Tested on Ceramic Heater+ compared with Samsung’s original conventional heater of WF60F4E0N0W/ET, based on independent testing of weight variation in hard water.