At Samsung, innovation begins with empathy. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we pause to reflect on a simple yet powerful idea: technology should be for everyone. Inclusive technology that helps individuals with disabilities achieve their goals.

Whether it is a refrigerator that anticipates your needs, a smartwatch that recognises your voice, or a television that listens and responds, our goal remains unchanged.  We are creating meaningful experiences for everyone, regardless of ability.

We prioritize accessibility in our products by addressing vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive needs, ensuring that everyone has an equitable experience.

Accessibility is a Design Principle

At Samsung, accessibility is a design principle. It is a lens through which we approach innovation. From the nascent stages of product development, Samsung designers and engineers work hand-in-hand with users with diverse abilities.

This philosophy guides everything—from tactile buttons on remote controls to AI voice assistance in our home appliances.

Led by its “AI for All” vision, Samsung continues to develop smart home appliances that are intuitive and convenient for diverse home environments. These accessibility features are designed to make appliances easier to use for individuals with disabilities and older adults, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive design.

Intelligence That Understands and Adapts

The Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator, for instance, uses advanced AI to learn routines and preferences, reducing effort and enhancing usability for everyone, including those with mobility or cognitive challenges. It’s about designing appliances that not only respond but anticipate. Samsung appliances enhance everyday living by offering accessibility, adaptability, and aesthetic design, all at once.

From Refrigerators to Vacuum Cleaners, for specific products, find all features here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/home-appliances/

The Galaxy Ecosystem

Inclusive by Design, the Galaxy wearable ecosystem, accessibility and AI go hand-in-hand. From gesture controls to real-time voice feedback and customizable touch interactions, these devices empower users to navigate their world more independently—no matter their ability. The launch of Galaxy Ring marks a massive leap in Samsung’s commitment to democratize cutting-edge technology for everyone, helping users turn data into meaningful insights and create a whole new world of expanded, intelligent health experiences. Galaxy Ring is not just another wearable, it’s a revolutionary health-tech device that blends innovation with accessibility.

Find a detailed overview of all the features here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/mobile/

Visual Innovation for All

Samsung Neo QLED TVs offer innovations like AI-powered captioning, audio description, and screen reader functions, helping users with hearing or vision impairments experience entertainment on their own terms.

You can access all the accessibility features related to Vision, Hearing and Mobility here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/tv-audio/

Technology is powerful when it includes everyone. As we observe Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we remain committed to breaking down barriers and building bridges—with every product, every update, and every idea. At Samsung, “AI for All” is not a tagline. It’s our promise.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Bona Lee, Vice President and Head of Customer eXperience (CX) Insight Group at Digital Appliances (DA) Business, Samsung Electronics, to discuss the latest accessibility features in Samsung’s home appliances and the philosophy that shapes them.

Q. What core value or principle guides your approach when designing accessibility features for home appliances?

Using home appliances typically involves a combination of sensory input — such as sight, sound and touch — along with cognitive functions like making selections and adjusting settings, as well as physical actions like pulling, pushing or lifting. These steps can present challenges for some users.

Samsung is working to reduce or eliminate these usability barriers to ensure that everyone can access all features and benefit from the latest technologies. As part of our broader commitment to inclusive design, we offer tailored solutions for different accessibility needs — such as tactile stickers for buttons, audio cues for users with visual impairments and control panels positioned at heights accessible to wheelchair users.

Q. What are some standout accessibility features or services that users might not be aware of?

The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo offers a significantly more streamlined control experience than before. While previous models required users to turn a dial and strain to read small text to select a cycle, the new model features a built-in digital screen with large, easy-to-read fonts. AI further enhances usability by prioritizing frequently used cycles at the top of the menu.

What’s more, SmartThings routines empower individuals with limited mobility by automating device control. A simple voice command like “I’m going to sleep” can turn off lights and appliances, creating a more comfortable and accessible home environment.

Q. What new accessibility features have been introduced in the 2025 Bespoke AI appliance lineup?

In the 2025 lineup of Bespoke AI appliances, Bixby can now recognize individual voices using Voice ID technology and provide accessibility settings tailored to each person. In addition, with built-in microphones and speakers, users can ask Bixby about the appliance’s status and receive key alerts via voice responses.

Moreover, the Auto Open Door feature — highly praised by users with limited mobility — has been expanded to more products, including refrigerators, washing machines, ovens and dishwashers. A light tap or simple voice command like “Open the [device] door” provides easy, hands-free access.

Q. Are there any ongoing collaborations focused on enhancing accessibility in home appliances?

Samsung is actively collaborating with various organizations to identify and address real-world accessibility challenges. We receive objective evaluations and expert guidance from various professional organizations including the Korea Center for Accessibility Assessment & Research. Additionally, accessibility features for our screen-equipped appliances — such as voice guidance and improved visibility — are being developed in alignment with the European Accessibility Act that goes into effect this June.

Internal collaboration is just as vital. The Samsung Family Supporters group — comprised of employees with disabilities and those with family members who have disabilities — is actively involved in shaping accessibility initiatives. Furthermore, the newly established Accessibility Employee Resource Group (ERG) within the Device eXperience (DX) Business fosters open dialogue by encouraging members to share real-life experiences and ideas to improve accessibility across our products and services.

Q. What results or improvements have come from these collaborations so far?

While many visually impaired users found voice guidance for operating SmartThings-connected appliances helpful, some reported that the initial device connection process was challenging.

To address this, we improved the SmartThings app and partnered with TUAT Corp. — the developer of AI-powered visual assistance app Sullivan Plus — to introduce a dedicated mode that recognizes Samsung appliances and helps users easily connect them to SmartThings. Selected for Samsung’s C-Lab Outside startup incubator, Sullivan Plus is expected to further enhance the overall user experience.

We’ve also developed assistive tools based on ideas and feedback from employees and the Samsung Family Supporters group. Designs for these tools are shared on ITDA, a public platform for customizing and 3D-printing assistive devices. One example is a stick-on handle for drawers, designed to support users with limited hand mobility. Development continues toward creating more automated assistive solutions that offer even greater convenience.

Q. What steps is Samsung taking to further advance its vision of “AI for All” in the future?

“AI for All” reflects Samsung’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of technology are seamlessly integrated into everyday life — regardless of a user’s physical abilities or environment. It’s about transforming individual features into connected, inclusive experiences that make life better for everyone.

Looking ahead, Samsung will continue to embed universal design principles that prioritize inclusivity into product development. This includes gathering input from diverse user groups during the planning stage, leveraging user data to identify new opportunities and collaborating with both internal and external experts and organizations to create more meaningful solutions.

As AI capabilities in home appliances evolve, the goal is to create a truly intelligent in-home experience — one that understands each user, their family and their environment by automating tasks and reducing the need for manual input. Rather than addressing diversity with isolated features, Samsung strives to deliver integrated, all-in-one solutions that adapt to any situation.

We see this as the future of innovation — where accessibility and technology come together to serve everyone, under the vision of “Universal Accessibility, Universal Technology.”

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, Samsung Newsroom has outlined the accessibility features of Bespoke AI appliances that allow easy and convenient use for all.

Designed With Mobility in Mind

Both Samsung’s Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub and Bespoke AI Laundry Combo feature Auto Open Door — a function that helps users open the doors of these appliances. Refrigerator doors will open with a light touch, and laundry machine doors will open when turned on or when a cycle is complete. This function makes appliance use much easier for people who may struggle with opening doors such as the elderly or those in wheelchairs.

▲ Bespoke AI Laundry Combo with Auto Open Door

Full Control Through Audio and Voice

Bixby’s¹ voice command feature allows users to control devices around the home using only their voice, relieving the burden of device operation for people with low vision. Through voice commands, Bespoke WindFree Air Conditioner stand models can control other home appliances — such as refrigerators and washing machines — once connected to SmartThings.

Devices that offer Voice assistant audibly read user commands and the status of each appliance. Included on select Samsung air conditioners and robot vacuum cleaners, this feature will be expanded via a software update to the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo and other products equipped with AI Home — a 7-inch LCD touchscreen panel that helps control home appliances.

Accessible sounds — available on select refrigerator models for people with low vision — provide audio feedback in a series of distinct sounds with varying scales and syllable breaks, allowing users to better navigate operation controls. Samsung is now expanding this feature to Bespoke AI refrigerators and other products, so users can easily adjust the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

▲ A usage example of Samsung Bixby’s voice command feature

Created for All Ages

Samsung is expanding its Senior Care feature to more appliances via AI Home to enhance readability through larger fonts.

Additionally, select induction cooktops feature Child Lock — a function that disables cooktop control to prevent accidental operation by children or pets. The lock can be controlled remotely on the SmartThings app.

Samsung plans to accelerate its development of accessibility technology under the slogan “AI for All” so that convenience in daily life can be enjoyed by everyone.

※ Availability of the features and functions mentioned above may vary by country and region, for applicable models only.

※ When connecting to the SmartThings is required: Users must download the SmartThings app available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

¹ Bixby recognizes select languages and certain accents/dialects. 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 an internet connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.

Samsung has always been committed to delivering a consistent experience for all Samsung Galaxy users. In line with this effort, Samsung is highlighting Universal Gestures,¹ an innovative accessibility feature for the Galaxy Watch. Designed to empower individuals with a touch-free experience through simple and intuitive movements, Universal Gestures was introduced as part of the One UI 5 Watch update.

Universal Gestures offers users a valuable alternative to the interactions needed to operate the device, all without lifting a finger or pressing a button. With four distinct gestures — Make Fist, Make Fist Twice, Pinch and Double Pinch — users are able to navigate their Galaxy Watch in ways that work best for them.

How To Turn On Universal Gestures

To utilize Universal Gestures on your Galaxy Watch, follow these simple steps:

First, navigate to Settings on your Galaxy Watch to find the Accessibility menu. Scroll down to find Universal Gestures within the Interaction and dexterity section. Then, toggle on the Universal Gestures option and learn more about the full potential of this feature with Gestures tutorial.

Once the Universal Gestures feature is enabled, make a fist twice to seamlessly switch from the regular touch-based navigation method.² Your Galaxy Watch will indicate it with a customizable colored outline, allowing you to utilize this intuitive mode for a tailored and accessible experience.

Make Fist To Open Action Menu and Select

Within Universal Gestures, the Make Fist gesture simplifies the process of selecting and opening items on the Galaxy Watch.

Make Fist Twice gesture unveils the Action menu, which is an array of convenient options accessible right from your wrist. Imagine this menu as a toolbox packed with essential tools, such as opening the apps menu, going to the previous screen and displaying recent apps, readily available whenever you need it. The Action menu is also dynamic, adjusting its content based on whichever screen is currently open when the user activates the Action menu. When you are ready to select the item, simply make a fist.

Pinch To Navigate Back and Forth

The Pinch and Double Pinch gestures on the Galaxy Watch offer new touch-free ways for users to interact with their Galaxy Watch, which are especially beneficial for individuals facing mobility limitations. With these two gestures, you can navigate from one item to another or go back to the previous item.

Scroll through your messages, browse your calendar items or peruse your photo album — these are all made possible with the Pinch gesture.

Accessibility is about removing barriers and delivering seamless experiences to everyone. That is why Universal Gestures offers users intuitive control over their Galaxy Watch. For instance, Samsung Galaxy users can easily change any of the actions of these four gestures, further personalizing their device to better serve their needs.

Another Notable Galaxy Watch Control Feature

The Galaxy Watch’s Gestures,³ located within Advanced features, is another standout feature that offers a convenient shortcut for actions — answering calls, dismissing alerts or swiftly quick launching apps — all achievable through simple hand and arm motions.

¹ Available on the Galaxy Watch6, Watch5 and Watch4 series with One UI 5 Watch.
² Activation gesture, used to activate Universal Gestures, may vary based on the Galaxy Watch model, software version, region and carrier.
³ To enable Gestures, go to Settings > find Advanced features and scroll down to Gestures > turn on each gesture.

Following the introduction of the company’s 2022 lineup at the recent Unbox & Discover event, Samsung Newsroom is highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts towards innovating for improved TV accessibility in the infographic below.