Samsung Electronics today announced a multi-year partnership with Instacart, collaborating to add a new and convenient way for consumers in the U.S.¹ to shop for groceries directly from the screens of their Samsung Bespoke refrigerators.² Through the integration of Samsung’s proprietary food recognition technology (AI Vision Inside³) together with Instacart’s advanced product-matching API,⁴ the partnership will enable a simple, convenient and technology-driven grocery shopping experience for our consumers.

Starting with 2025 Bespoke refrigerator models with different types of screens — including the 32” AI Family Hub+ and the new 9” AI Home — and AI Vision Inside, the new functionality will enable consumers to replenish their favorite grocery items conveniently through Instacart by leveraging the Vision AI food recognition technology. With AI Vision Inside, consumers can not only manage their food inventory, but going forward, the experience extends further by enabling replenishment through Instacart, directly from the refrigerator.

“Samsung is working tirelessly to enable a more convenient home experience for our users with innovative technologies,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the Consumer Experience Team for the Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “The combination of Samsung’s key technology and Instacart’s outstanding online grocery shopping platform will be a great example of how partnership can create a new level of convenience.”

“We’ve all dreamt of a refrigerator that could replenish itself, and now thanks to this partnership with Samsung, that’s no longer the stuff of science fiction,” said Daniel Danker, Chief Product Officer at Instacart. “With the Instacart Developer Platform that will power this seamless integration, Samsung Bespoke refrigerator owners will be able to place grocery orders and easily restock empty fridge shelves via same-day delivery through Instacart from their favorite local grocery retailers.”

The new Instacart experience will also roll out to existing AI Family Hub+ units (equipped with AI Vision Inside) via over-the-network (OTN) firmware updates during 2025.⁵ This is another example of Samsung’s Smart Forward updates, which provides added value to our consumers by enhancing the appliances they already own. The partnership with Instacart is the latest step forward in Samsung’s journey to add value to the user experience by working hand in hand with other forward-thinking technology leaders.

About Instacart
Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company, and to start shopping, visit www.instacart.com. Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart.

¹ Only available in Instacart serviced areas. To check if Instacart grocery shopping is available in your area, please visit www.instacart.com
² List of refrigerator models applicable is to be determined. Wi-Fi connection and both Samsung account and Instacart account are needed.
³ As of November 2024, AI Vision Inside can recognize up to 37 food items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. The names and expiration dates of non-recognizable food items must be set manually. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the refrigerator door bins or freezer. The feature recognizes food items based on deep learning models which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. Updates and applicable features may vary by region and model.
⁴ An application programming interface (API) allows different software applications to communicate and work together.
⁵ Update schedule and list of applicable refrigerator models are to be determined. The firmware update will be available on compatible, legacy refrigerator units.

Over the past century, home appliances have evolved to reduce the burden of household chores and add convenience to lives.

The accelerated development of these appliances is marked by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology that analyzes usage environments and executes optimal functions to significantly alleviate inconveniences associated with household tasks.

To that end, Samsung Electronics is updating its home appliances every year. With software at the core, these products are transforming from bulky machines into advanced electronic devices perfect for everyday living.

AI Home Appliances Become Lifelong Partners

Samsung home appliances are gradually expanding their role as daily companions through AI. For instance, AI Vision Inside in the Bespoke AI Family Hub¹ recognizes food ingredients placed on the refrigerator’s shelves with the internal camera to create a food list and remind users of expiration dates. Meanwhile, the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo provides a streamlined washing and drying experience with an AI-customized course.

SmartThings offers an interconnected ecosystem of various home appliances and IoT devices that fit users’ lifestyles. Furthermore, the screens on Samsung’s AI home appliances combine the latest hardware and software to orchestrate a multi-device experience that lets users easily control appliances in their homes.

Software Updates With AI Voice Assist and Added Security

As home appliances become increasingly software-driven, regular updates are critical. Samsung brought more than 50 major feature updates to its core home appliance lineup this year through Smart Forward, the company’s software updating service via SmartThings.

Previously exclusive to the 2024 Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub, Quick Share will now be supported on Family Hub refrigerators released in 2017 and later through a software update. Now, users can easily view photos and videos from their smartphone, continue browsing web pages, watch YouTube videos and even create personalized images with the Generative Wallpaper feature all from the Family Hub refrigerator’s large screen.

Samsung’s voice assistant was updated in late August to transform how users interact with their Samsung AI home appliances. The Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub, Bespoke AI Laundry Combo, Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI Steam and Bespoke AI WindFree Gallery Freestanding Air Conditioner² are equipped with the latest version of Bixby to better execute user commands based on natural language.

For instance, a user can ask the robot vacuum cleaner to clean the house and set a time to start the washing machine in one sentence. Bixby will understand the commands and execute each of them accordingly. Users can even hear verbal responses when asking about their air conditioner’s air filter or maintenance status.

In such an interconnected environment, the importance of security software cannot be overlooked. Samsung Knox helps users enjoy their latest AI home appliances with peace of mind. Recent Knox Matrix updates have been applied to the Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub for enhanced security by allowing the device to check the security status of other connected appliances.

Accessibility Improvements Made for Everyone

Software improvements are making Samsung home appliances more accessible to everyone.

Last month at IFA 2024, Samsung unveiled Voice ID³ — a feature that recognizes the voices of each family member and offers tailored solutions based on personal characteristics such as schedules, interests and health conditions.

Starting this month, Samsung will offer Accessibility Sync so users can apply accessibility settings from their smartphones to home appliances during initial setup. In the future, this software will integrate with Voice ID to recognize users’ voices and synchronize personalized accessibility settings for each individual.

AI and software in home appliances are transforming everyday life. Samsung’s AI technology will predict and troubleshoot problems with SmartThings-connected home appliances and provide solutions from users’ smartphones. Moreover, remote diagnoses of software errors and system settings will improve the quality and lifespan of home appliances. Catch a glimpse of the futuristic life led by Samsung’s cutting-edge home appliances at the upcoming Samsung Developer Conference 2024 on October 3 in San Jose, California.

¹ The Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator can recognize and categorize up to 33 different food ingredients. Users must manually name and set expiration dates for other ingredients.
² The Bespoke AI WindFree Gallery Freestanding Air Conditioner is only sold in Korea.
³ Voice ID is expected to be available in 2025.

“After years of R&D with a relentless focus on the home user experience, we are thrilled to be rolling out more Smart Forward updates to our earlier released appliances around the globe,” said Miyoung Yoo, EVP and Head of the Software Development Team, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the enhanced functionality, extended lifespan and improved security provided by Smart Forward, the home experience can truly take a step forward.”

▲ Samsung Digital Appliances connecting to download updates³

New Functionalities Alter Kitchen Experiences

The Smart Forward updates introduce an array of new functionalities designed to enhance the user experience and appliance performance. The Family Hub, a touch screen panel installed on the 4-Door French Door Refrigerator⁴ for food management, entertainment and communication, will now come with Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch⁵ and Fridge Call, new features that significantly improve connectivity and usability.⁶

Quick Share makes sharing memories and recipes while in the kitchen easier than ever by allowing users to quickly send photos to the Family Hub screen directly from their mobile device⁷ with just a few clicks. When users have their Galaxy Buds connected to the Family Hub to listen to music or watch cooking tutorial videos, the Buds Auto Switch feature allows users to seamlessly switch to their mobile device to answer incoming calls and back when the call is finished, enabling a cooking experience free from interruptions.

Finally, users can receive phone calls with Fridge Call directly on the Family Hub using its microphone and speaker, eliminating the need to move to a different room to find their phone. This is especially convenient when users’ hands are occupied to cooking, cleaning and dishwashing, making it much easier to multitask while remaining connected. Perhaps best of all, these new features will be available on refrigerator models with Family Hub produced from 2017 onward rather than new models only.

Quick Remote,⁸ an additional feature in which a user’s mobile phone becomes a remote control for connected Samsung appliances, is being expanded across refrigerators produced since 2023, regardless of whether they include a Family Hub screen or not.⁹ Other connected appliances include washing machines and air conditioners also produced since 2023.¹⁰ All users need to do is simply move close to a SmartThings-connected appliance,¹¹ and a remote control menu for the appliance will appear on the quick panel of the Galaxy phone screen being used. This seamless integration ensures that users can control their home environment with ease.

Future-Proofing Home Appliances to the Next Level

Apart from making the user experience more seamless, Samsung is also focused on future-proofing existing appliances. The upgraded Bixby¹² will understand commands with multiple intentions and remember the most recent conversation.¹³ This advanced functionality transforms the way users interact with their appliances, making voice commands more intuitive and responsive.¹⁴ Samsung is providing the update to five products launched in 2024 first: the Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub; Bespoke AI Laundry Combo; Bespoke Slide-in Range; Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI; and Bespoke AI WindFree Gallery Freestanding Air Conditioner (Sold in Korea only).

Additionally, Bixby now opens doors for 2024 refrigerators with Family Hub upon verbal request, without the need for wake-up commands like “Hi Bixby.” Users can simply say, “Open the refrigerator door.” This functionality offers users an unparalleled level of convenience and hands-free operation.¹⁵ Plus, for refrigerators with Family Hub launched in Korea and the U.S. after 2022, a new wallpaper feature will allow users to create custom wallpapers for the fridge’s screen, adding a personalized touch to their kitchen space.¹⁶

▲ Users can create custom wallpapers for their Family Hub screen.

Safer Use and Lower Energy Consumption

In terms of safety and energy-savings, Samsung is rolling out updates to older models — including refrigerators made as far back as 2021 — because the importance of safety does not diminish with time.¹⁷ After an event of a power outage and once resumed with power, refrigerators will detect and notify users via the SmartThings app when internal temperature is high, providing an extra layer of food safety by making users aware of potential issues that could affect the freshness of their stored food.

Additionally, users can now choose different chimes for open door notifications, giving them greater control over their appliance settings. Furthermore, users can maintain a peaceful home environment by putting ice makers in sleep mode, preventing them from working during the night and creating the disruptive sound of ice falling into the tray while users sleep.

Optimal Scheduling, which delays the start of appliances to not have them run during peak energy usage hours or periods of high carbon intensity, will also be added to the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo¹⁸ and Samsung Dishwashers.¹⁹ This feature can help users cut down on energy cost. Additionally, the 7-inch AI Home on the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo now automatically switches to power-save mode during wash cycles, further contributing to smart energy savings.²⁰

These updates reflect Samsung’s broader strategy of providing value to customers by enhancing the products they already own. By continuously improving the functionality and performance of its appliances, Samsung ensures that users do not have to worry about their devices becoming obsolete. This approach not only safeguards customers’ investments but also aligns with the company’s efforts to reduce the need for frequent replacements.

Samsung’s updated home appliances will be showcased at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, from September 6 to 10, where visitors will be able to see and experience each feature.

¹ The following updates will be alerted to the user via SmartThings app push notification when available. On the SmartThings app, users can check the product and features that are ready to be updated and monitor the update progress.
² Updates will be available throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product, model type, and region.
³ Image is created to visually help understand the process of updating appliances through Wi-Fi Connection. Screens on the appliances does not appear as in the image during updates.
⁴ This is the global name, and naming may differ by region. For example, 2024 Bespoke refrigerator with the 32-inch Family Hub screen is named Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ in North America and Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ in Latin America.
⁵ Quick Share and Buds Auto Switch are available with Galaxy mobile phones only.
⁶ Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch, and Fridge Call update are currently available on refrigerators with Family Hub in North and South America and will be available sequentially in Europe, East Asia and Southeast Asia throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.
⁷ The SmartThings app is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilize a single log-in account between the devices
⁸ Quick Remote feature is available in Galaxy mobile phones with Android 1.8.21 or above, and the SmartThings app must be installed. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilize a single log-in account between the devices.
⁹ Will be available globally on select refrigerators, washing machines and dryers produced since 2023, starting in October and sequentially throughout the rest of 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.
¹⁰ Feature will be available on select Freestanding Air Conditioners (FAC), Wall Air Conditioners (WAC) and dehumidifier models produced since 2023 and select Residential Air Conditioner (RAC) models produced in 2024.
¹¹ Connected Galaxy mobile phone must be within 10 meters of the appliance. Quick Remote may not work properly, if objects come between the mobile phone and the appliance.
¹² Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Bixby service availability may vary depending on the country. Bixby recognizes certain accents/dialects of English (US, UK, Indian), Chinese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain, Latin America) and Portuguese (Brazil). The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and data network connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.
¹³ Multi-Intent and Multi-Turn are supported in the following languages: English (US, UK, India), Korean, Spanish (Latin America, Europe), French, German, Italian and Portuguese (Brazil). Device Q&A is currently available for English (US) and Korean. The following scenario is based on English (US) and may vary depending on user language settings..
¹⁴ In order to control other devices, all devices must be connected to SmartThings under the same Samsung account. Control is limited to connected devices’ original features and voice control activated features may be limited, depending on the type of the product and the model that execute the commands.
¹⁵ Feature is currently available on select refrigerator models with Family Hub and auto open door, produced since 2024 in Korea and the U.S.
¹⁶ Feature will be available on select refrigerator models with Family Hub produced since 2022 in South Korea and the United States. Currently the service allows up to 5 images to be created per day.
¹⁷ Update will be available globally on select refrigerator models produced since 2021, starting in October.
¹⁸ Update will be available globally, starting in October.
¹⁹ Update will be available for DW7700B dishwashers sold in Europe only, starting in August.
²⁰ Update will be available on Bespoke AI Laundry Combo in 2024 Q4.