– Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics

The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, featuring Digital Inverter Heat Pump technology, was a showstopper at Samsung Electronics’ booth at IFA 2023. This innovative product attracted the attention of many visitors for its ability to seamlessly handle both washing and drying functions within a single machine — all while improving space efficiency in compact laundry rooms. Powering this appliance’s capabilities is none other than “Core Tech,” a philosophy that underscores Samsung’s home appliances.

▲ The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, built from Samsung’s Core Tech philosophy, stole the spotlight at IFA 2023 with its cutting-edge innovation.

Introduced at this year’s IFA, the Core Tech concept reveals the vision behind Samsung’s home appliances as well as what drives the company to consistently push the boundaries of innovation. Through this three-part series, Samsung Newsroom will dive into the essence of Core Tech, showcasing its diverse applications in Samsung’s home appliances.

Inside Samsung Home Appliances: Core Tech

“When we first kicked off with developing the Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, we weren’t seeking opportunities for moderate changes. We were aiming to create something completely different,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “I focused on securing enough time and freedom for our engineers to explore. Driven by the Core Tech philosophy, they ultimately developed a product that exceeded expectations.”

Core Tech is comprised of four key themes — “Outstanding,” indicating Samsung’s unique or first-introduced features; “AI-Powered,” representing the use of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of automation to reduce the need for user action; “Flexible Use,” enabling customization for diverse lifestyles; and “Durable & Sustainable,” emphasizing both product and environmental sustainability. The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo exemplifies these ideas, incorporating proprietary technologies such as AI Ecobubble and custom AI-driven washing and drying capabilities that optimize efficiency and performance. Moreover, it helps users save energy by connecting to AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy.

▲ Through the four themes – Outstanding, AI-Powered, Flexible Use and Durable & Sustainable – Samsung Core Tech embodies the key values driving the company’s technologies.

“The paradigm of home appliances has changed completely. A refrigerator is no longer merely a cold box with doors, and a washer is far beyond a water-spewing, tub-spinning machine. We have entered an era where the focus is on evolving lifestyles and tailored experiences,” said Lee. “In this sense, Core Tech stands as both a testament to Samsung Electronics’ past innovations and a guiding beacon for the future, encompassing our social responsibility moving forward.”

 “The four themes of Core Tech are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Ultimately, the goal is to provide unique solutions — even for problems consumers may not yet recognize.”

– Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics

Breaking Down Core Tech Themes: Innovations in Home Appliances

Outstanding signifies the technologies unique to Samsung’s home appliances branded with patents and the company’s commitment to enhancing consumer lifestyles. Notable technologies in this category include AI Ecobubble which optimizes laundry performance with bubbles to help detergents better penetrate fabrics; WindFree Cooling which creates a comfortable environment without cold drafts; and Beverage Center inside the fridge which provides quick and easy access to cold drinks.

AI-Powered represents the evolving home appliance products, emphasizing how artificial intelligence and automation can reduce user intervention. This advancement can be especially beneficial for those who have become too familiar with conventional appliances and are unfamiliar with ways to better use them. Samsung’s AI-powered appliances learn usage patterns, provide tailored recommendations and optimize settings automatically — ultimately redefining user convenience.

Flexible Use allows customization of home appliances to meet diverse user preferences, such as region, generation or physical environment. For instance, the FlexZone in the refrigerator allows users to store food, wine and other items properly by adjusting the mode in the designated zone. The Dual Cook Flex Oven expands culinary possibilities by dividing its cavity and door into two, allowing users to prepare multiple dishes at different temperatures.

Lastly, Durable & Sustainable embodies Samsung’s commitment to extend product lifespan and enable users to make eco-conscious decisions. It is crucial for home appliances since they are used for extended periods and continuously plugged in. This category contains technologies such as the Digital Inverter Compressor and Motor that help save energy and the Less Microfiber Cycle, which is a result from working together with Patagonia, to reduce microplastic emissions during wash cycles.

In essence, the four pillars of Core Tech — Outstanding, AI-Powered, Flexible Use and Durable & Sustainable — collectively address overarching concerns in the world of home appliances. Executive Vice President Lee emphasized the interconnectedness of these themes: “These four themes are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary.” For instance, the Less Microfiber Filter for washers can be installed in a choice of ways[2] flexibly (Flexible Use), but considers the product’s environmental impact (Durable & Sustainable). “Ultimately, the goal is to provide unique solutions — even for problems consumers may not yet recognize — by digging deeper and observing the demands of our users,” he added.

Core Tech not only embodies the cutting-edge technologies in the home appliances market but also looks forward to the future. Samsung has consistently offered distinctive solutions through careful evaluation of the value its products bring to consumers. In the second part of this series, we will dive into the different stories of Core Tech and explore key technologies through an array of videos.

[1] Tested in accordance with IEC 60456-2010 / 4kg Wash Load / Super Eco Wash cold (WF80F5E5U4W) vs. Cotton 40°C without Ecobubble (WF0702WKU). Individual results may vary.
[2] Must be installed higher than the washing machine drain.