For example, in the home, when a user wakes up in the morning on a rainy day, the home lights will gradually brighten, while music fit for a rainy day is selected and played in the background. A cup of coffee will be prepared as soon as the user says “coffee” while stepping into the kitchen and the refrigerator will also recommend meal ideas for the day, asking the user whether he or she would like to buy ingredients online.

In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, Samsung Electronics is uniquely positioned to bring this world of connected AI services to life, based on the almost half a billion connected devices the company sells every year. In fact, given the typical lifecycle of a device, there are more than a billion Samsung devices actively used around the world at any given time.

Samsung’s device portfolio also is the industry’s broadest, and includes mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and wearable devices, office devices such as PCs, signages and Samsung Flip, devices for the home such as Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub and FlexWash and FlexDry, and much more.

At this year’s CES, Samsung highlighted its latest innovations in its vision to drive the Internet of Things (IoT) supported by AI. Samsung Smart TVs now integrated with Bixby, are able to play music and shows personalized for users, as well as show who is at the front door or what is inside the refrigerator. The Family Hub refrigerator, also integrated with AI, recognizes the voices of different family members and provides each of them with a personalized daily schedule.

Moving forward, Samsung will continue to remain focused on holistically integrating AI into a connected setting, such as the home or the office, in contrast to other players primarily pursuing implementation of AI on a few devices and services. In the following months, Samsung will integrate not only Samsung devices, but also IoT devices and sensors developed by external partners into the SmartThings eco-system, allowing a single SmartThings app to control everything. Furthermore, Samsung also plans to integrate AI into all its connected devices by 2020.

In the coming years, many IoT devices with AI support will generate a vast array of usage patterns and scenarios. How AI-enabled devices learn and analyze complex usage patterns and provide consumers with the most optimized options will be critical to the success of AI technology for the near future. In other words, the success of AI will boil down to how well the devices understand the users.

Therefore, Samsung’s perspective on AI is to build an eco-system that is user-centric rather than device-centric. To pursue that goal, we will start by building an AI platform under a common architecture that will not only scale quickly, but also provide the deepest understanding of usage context and behaviors, making AI more relevant and useful.

For the past decades, Samsung successfully introduced products and innovations by researching the lifestyle and behavior of global consumers. Paying respect to our heritage of user-centric product development, Samsung will begin an exciting journey open to boundless possibilities in new user experiences by integrating AI into the open IoT ecosystem it is currently developing. This journey will certainly be fascinating for us here at Samsung, but even more so for consumers, as Samsung takes major steps forward to bring consumers’ hopes and expectations to life.

by Larry Heck

Senior Vice President, Samsung Research America (SRA)

Samsung Electronics today announced that it has won two KBIS 2018 awards, the new and first year category award for Smart Home Technology and Best of Kitchen Silver award, presented by the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS).

The kitchen and bath industry’s premier awards program highlights the best new kitchen and bath products that push the boundaries of design, technology and innovation. Winners are selected based on innovation, design and function.

The Samsung Front Load Washer with QuickDrive is a major step forward in laundry innovation and cuts washing time.  Equipped with faster wash time and enhanced smart capabilities, the new washer with QuickDrive technology and intelligent Q-rator laundry assistant takes the guesswork out of doing laundry from your mobile device. It has smart capabilities that simplify the washing cycle with intuitive features that provide automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles, manage the time that a wash cycle will finish and adjust cycle settings, and monitors the washer to keep it operating at optimal performance.

The Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry are a versatile new laundry pair that provide ultimate flexibility to wash and dry multiple loads of laundry at the same time.  FlexWash + FlexDry provide an unprecedented amount of flexibility to let you do multiple cycles at the same time, so you can keep a wide variety of clothes in great condition.

This year, KBIS added new categories to recognize and honor brands at the forefront of smart home innovations which are driving the kitchen and bath innovations of tomorrow. A total of six awards were given out including Kitchen Gold and Silver, Bath Gold and Silver, Best in Show and the new Smart Home Technology award.

“We are proud to be the recipient of two KBIS awards this year, as it underscores Samsung’s dedication and commitment to bringing meaningful innovation to the home appliance industry and to consumers,” said Tom Halford, Vice President of Samsung Premium and Builder Brands. “Our combination of technology, performance and design is resonating strongly, and we are looking forward to a game-changing 2018.”

Following KBIS 2018, voting for the Best of KBIS People’s Choice award will take place online, via the KBIS Facebook page. Voting opens January 12, 2018, and show attendees can cast their vote for their favorite products. There will be three People’s Choice Winners (First, Second and Third Place).

Samsung Electronics today announced that it will showcase its advanced built-in appliances, including its widely acclaimed Samsung Chef Collection lineup that incorporates Samsung’s most intuitive smart technologies, at the 2018 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, Florida. The show, on January 9 -11, will be the first time in 7 years that Samsung is attending as an exhibitor, reaffirming its strong commitment to the US as the world’s largest premium built-in home appliances market.

Samsung will be exhibiting in booth W770, displaying its latest innovations in the appliance category to the builder and designers, and demonstrating the strong appeal of Samsung appliances in growing millennials with its advanced appliance designs and technologies.

“Attending KBIS demonstrates our continued commitment to creating innovative products in line with what people want in their home today” said Tom Halford, Vice President of Home Appliances Division at Samsung Electronics America. “Our smart, premium built-in kitchen appliances are also helping us to increase customer satisfaction and build industry leadership.”

The Samsung booth will highlight six different kitchen packages across wide range of prices, including both the black stainless-steel and standard stainless-steel packages from the Chef Collection lineup. Samsung will also highlight the increasing prevalence of the smart home trend with a Connected Living zone that features Samsung’s award-winning Family Hub refrigerator and the FlexWash and QuickDrive washing machines.

Samsung’s premium built-in Chef Collection on display includes many of Samsung’s most advanced technologies such as the Remote View camera incorporated into refrigerators and Virtual Flame of induction cooktops. Also on display will be the chef-inspired features in a premium suite of wall ovens, cooktops, pro ranges, dishwashers, and refrigerators including the fully integrated 42” Built-In 4-Door Flex model. All models have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities for full connected control in a smart home.

Samsung Electronics today announced that it is bringing its next generation laundry innovation to the U.S.:  the WW6850N washing machine featuring revolutionary QuickDrive technology. Responding to consumer demand for speed and cleaning performance, the 24” compact washer cleans laundry up to 35% faster for a thorough clean¹, compared to current Samsung models. The WW6850N will be on display at the upcoming International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 9-12, 2018.

With more Millennials than ever buying homes, this new cohort of digitally savvy homebuyers is demanding home appliances that incorporate meaningful, personalized technology to enhance their lives. The WW6850N with QuickDrive technology is just the latest in a line of differentiated laundry innovations, including the activewash Top Load Washer, AddWash Front Load Washer and FlexWash + FlexDry laundry pair.

“When you’ve got a pile of laundry to do, you just want to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Shane Higby, Vice President, Home Appliance Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “The introduction of the WW6850N washing machine with QuickDrive technology underscores our commitment to providing consumers with options for tackling their laundry needs to free up time for what really matters.”

The WW6850N washer’s innovative performance starts with QuickDrive technology, which features a large main drum and a back plate that move independently. This creates a dynamic action that moves clothes in four directions – up and down, and back and forth – to quickly, gently and thoroughly remove dirt for a more powerful and intense wash cycle that takes up to 35% less time than other comparable Samsung machines¹. Additionally, at 24” wide and stackable, the WW6850N washer and its companion dryer are an ideal size for small spaces like first floor laundry rooms or closets just off the master suite, to conveniently tackle loads quickly and effectively.

The WW6850N is IoT-ready and compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem. Its Q-rator laundry assistant has smart capabilities that simplify the washing cycle with intuitive features:

• Laundry Recipe provides automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles based on the color, fabric type, and degree of soiling inputted by the user.
• Laundry Planner allows consumers to manage the time that a wash cycle will finish, adjusting cycle settings accordingly.
• HomeCare Wizard monitors the washer to keep it operating at optimal performance and provides easy-to-follow maintenance instructions

¹ Tested on Samsung WW6850N with WW6800K. Saves up to 35% time on Heavy Duty (hot, 6lb load) with a washing performance within ± 3%, based on internal data tested by AHAM HLW-1-2013.

The ACED, established in 2014 and held every three years, is the international organization for ergonomics and design. For this year’s conference, the organization selected four winners in the sectors of software, automotive products, household furniture and home appliances, with Samsung’s activ dualwash^TM, AddWash^TM and FlexWash^TM winning the Grand Prix award in the home appliances category.

“This recognition reflects our effort to create consumer-focused and ergonomic products derived from countless hours of behavioral research and user analyses,” said Hyunjoo Song, Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to make groundbreaking new technologies and innovations to better the lives of our devoted consumers.”

The three advanced laundry machines at the heart of Samsung’s ergonomic design series showcase Samsung’s relentless innovation and continued industry leadership in the home appliances space:

• activ dualwash^TM: features an upper sink for easier pre-treatment without having to bend down.
• AddWash^TM: attaches a small window on the main door, which can open widely when consumers have extra clothing, detergent or fabric softeners to add during the wash.
• FlexWash^TM: a holistic and all-in-one laundry system that offers an upper washer and a main washer on the bottom in one compact unit.

For its part, FlexWash^TM also was recognized with the Best of Best Ergonomic Design Award by the Ergonomic Society of Korea (ESK) in April. The system adds flexibility to laundry routines and saves time by enabling users to handle multiple loads of sorted clothing at once. Rather than putting the second compartment in the pedestal, Samsung installed it on top of the main drum so users can comfortably perform laundry without stretching or bending over.

In addition, the transparent glass material of the top door of FlexWash^TM allows users to look inside the machine and monitor the cycle’s progress, and the ‘VRT plus (Vibration Reduction Technology plus)’ of the washing machine reduces noise and disruptive floor vibrations.

New FlexWash WR9000M combines two washers and one dryer in one remarkably flexible system

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced its revolutionary FlexWashTM, a washer–dryer combination model that tightly integrates two washers and a dryer into one high performance appliance. With a range of core Samsung laundry technologies and features, including the popular AddWash Door, FlexWash is designed to cut laundry time in half while providing a higher level of care for clothes to make them last longer.

Each of the two laundry compartments boasts unique features geared towards specific articles of clothing. The FlexWashTM front-loader can either be an AddWash washing machine or dryer, and is equipped with 21kg of capacity to handle main loads. After a wash cycle finishes, the washer can convert into a dryer, offering consumers the flexibility to start the dry cycle without moving clothes. The FlexWashTM top-loader is intended for washing small loads of delicate or dark items that require extra care, and features Samsung’s AirWash technology, which refreshes heat-sensitive clothing with air. Both loaders can be operated at the same time or separately.

FlexWash’s comprehensive approach is expected to transform the marketplace as consumers discover a faster, more effective way to clean clothes. The ability to operate both top and bottom units separately and simultaneously addresses strong consumer demand to wash clothes faster while still keeping items separate. Recent research shows that 87% of US consumers sort their laundry into lights and darks, different fabric types, and degrees of dirtiness, while 70% run two or more back-to-back washes.

The all-in-one laundry solution also uses three core Samsung laundry technologies: EcoBubble, Bubble Soak, and Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT). EcoBubble uses air and water to dissolve detergent, creating powerful bubble action for cleaning that is 40 times more effective. Bubble SoakTM thoroughly soaks clothes in active bubbles after the normal wash cycle for an extra round of powerful cleaning, while VRT reduces noise and vibrations during high speed spins.

The units are also IoT-enabled and backed by Samsung Smart Home App, which allows users to take control of their machines anytime and anywhere with their smartphones, letting them start, stop, and monitor every cycle from the palm of their hand.

“At Samsung, we remain committed to developing thoughtful innovations that not only address the ever-changing needs of our customers, but are also aimed at making a meaningful impact in their lives,” said Yong Sung Jeon, President & CEO, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania. “Despite some challenges, we’ve made big strides in 2016 and will continue to look forward as we engineer a smarter future together with our consumers.”

Samsung QLED, a New Frontier in Home Entertainment

Featuring incredible advancements in the development of Quantum dot technology, Samsung unveiled the new range of QLED TVs – the Q7, Q8 and Q9. The series, which add new metal material to nano-sized semiconductor quantum dots, deliver the perfect mix of light and color currently available in display technology. The result is a stunning large-screen QLED TV, with an incredibly accurate and precise picture that can be viewed from any angle or in any environment.

Samsung QLED TV takes Quantum dot technology to new heights with advanced light efficiency and stability, as well as a wider color spectrum than ever before. The new QLED TV addresses several consumer pain points that could be found in many of today’s displays, including brightness levels, lifespan, color range, details and viewing angles. It not only displays a 100% color volume and a peak brightness of HDR 1,500 – 2,000 nits, but also improves upon all aspects of picture quality.

Samsung also introduced new design elements that aims to enhance the QLED TV experience even further. The practically invisible optical cable helps to solve the issue of unsightly cords and clutter that can be found in the home with a sleek, single cord system. Additional accessories such as the optional “No-Gap Wall Mount,” makes mounting a TV flush against the wall simpler and faster. Finally, for those who desire a variety of stylish options when displaying their TV, Samsung introduced two new optional elegant TV stands – Gravity and Studio – that appeal to the consumer who prefers an un-mounted TV.

In addition to the new range of QLED TVs, Samsung also shared its plans to deliver a more unified experience for customers using various services and devices.

• Samsung Smart Remote – Enhanced to support even more devices, the new Samsung Smart Remote will now offer voice control capabilities across more Smart TV features, allowing consumers to have increased flexibility as they enjoy all that their TV has to offer at the touch of a button.
• Samsung Smart View app – Available on Android and iOS, the app allows users to get their personalized SmartHub experience right on their phone.

Enhanced Flexibility Within the Home

Samsung’s unwavering commitment to enriching and empowering consumers with technological innovation and world-class expertise in home appliances is manifested in category redefining products like the Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator, the FlexWashTM laundry system, the world’s first Wind-Free wall-mounted air conditioner, and the VR7000 POWERbot vacuum cleaner which was recognized with innovation awards at CES 2017.

As an upgraded version of Family Hub 1.0, which received wide acclaim last year, Family Hub 2.0 boasts an expanded, flexible line-up that allows consumers to choose the refrigerator that best matches their needs. It also enhances usability with intuitive app integration and new app partners to help families stay connected, manage food, and access more entertainment on the refrigerator’s 21.5-inch LED touch-screen. For added convenience, Samsung’s advanced voice technology has also been integrated across many of Family Hub 2.0’s apps. It also improved UX usability by allowing consumers to make more accounts of apps.

This year, Samsung is also introducing the FlexWashTM washer-dryer combination model that tightly integrates two washers and a dryer into one high performance appliance. The innovative unit boasts a range of core Samsung laundry technologies and features, including the popular AddWash Door. FlexWashTM is designed to cut laundry time in half while providing a higher level of care for clothes: the main front loader can either be an AddWash washing machine or dryer, offering consumers the flexibility to start the dry cycle without moving clothes, while the smaller top loader takes care of delicate items that require extra care. Both loaders can be operated simultaneously or separately.

Following the strong consumer response to the Wind-FreeTM floor-standing air conditioner launched in Korea last year, Samsung has developed a new wall-mounted version. The AR9500M provides Wind-FreeTM air conditioning, so the home maintains a comfortable level of coolness without the unpleasant feeling of direct cold wind. The unit disperses cool air through 21,000 micro holes at speeds slower than 0.15m/s1, and creates ideal climates for deep and restful sleep.

Samsung also unveiled the latest addition to its line of POWERbot vacuum cleaners – the VR7000. Sporting a new slimmer design and enhanced features, the VR7000 ensures a more thorough clean, covering hard-to-reach corners and edges that hand-operated vacuum cleaners frequently miss. The POWERbot VR7000’s Edge Clean Master enables the unit to clean within 15mm of the wall while the Auto Shutter automatically drops down a barrier to help sweep up dust right at the edge.

Alongside new cutting edge products and technologies launched this year, the 2017 Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum will also exhibit Twin Cooling refrigerators and the popular AddWash and Active Dualwash Laundry machine.

Samsung, the Trusted Brand in Asia

For the fifth consecutive year, Samsung continues to be named the best and most trusted brand, according to results from ‘Asia’s Top 1000 Brands’ annual online survey conducted by Campaign Asia Pacific in collaboration with Nielsen. With the continued affirmation by consumers on their trust of the brand, Samsung continues to strive to improve the technology behind their products, innovating to meet the needs and wants of their consumers.

¹The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers defines “Still Air” as air currents at speeds below 0.15m/s which lacks the presence of cold drafts.

Samsung Electronics today announced that it has won more than 120 awards at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and continues to receive recognition in categories spanning the home entertainment, home appliance and mobile categories. Samsung is humbled to be honored at CES alongside fellow innovators and the next-generation technologies that are shaping the future of everyday life.

Among Samsung’s CES 2017 notable wins are 34 CES 2017 Innovation Awards, including a Best of Innovation Award in the video display category. Samsung was also recognized with a number of media and industry awards, selected by organizations in attendance at the event out of more than 3,880 exhibitors.

“As CES celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come as an industry. This past year was marked with an array of unique developments in product design and engineering,” said Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Electronica North America. “We are honored to be recognized year after year by CTA and the industry for our innovative products and developments, and remain committed to delivering products that are thoughtfully designed to work the way you live.”

Samsung’s award winning products for 2017 include:

Among Samsung’s CES 2017 notable wins are 34 CES 2017 Innovation Awards, including a Best of Innovation Award in the video display category. Samsung was also recognized with a number of media and industry awards, selected by organizations in attendance at the event out of more than 3,880 exhibitors.

“As CES celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come as an industry. This past year was marked with an array of unique developments in product design and engineering,” said Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Electronica North America. “We are honored to be recognized year after year by CTA and the industry for our innovative products and developments, and remain committed to delivering products that are thoughtfully designed to work the way you live.”

Samsung’s award winning products for 2017 include:

• Samsung’s new QLED TV line-up received more than 20 notable awards including four CES Innovation Awards, Reviewed.com’s Editor’s Choice award, Ubergizmo’s Best of CES award and HD Guru’s CES Top Picks award

Samsung’s new Lifestyle TV, which is designed to appear just like a picture would appear on a wall, collected the Best of Innovation award from CTA as well as Popular Mechanic’s Editor’s Choice award

Samsung’s FlexWash + FlexDry were honored with two CES Innovation Awards and an array of media accolades, including the Techlicious Best of CES award, Reviewed.com’s Editor’s Choice award, The Verge’s Best of CES award and a TWICE Picks award

Samsung’s Chromebook Plus and Pro garnered wins from Digital Trends Top Tech of CES awards, Wired’s Best of CES awards, BGR’s Best Laptops of CES awards, LAPTOP / Tom’s Guide Best of CES awards, Gear Patrol’s Best Products from CES awards and 9to5Google’s Best of CES picks

Samsung Electronics today introduces its revolutionary FlexWash + FlexDry laundry system, set to be unveiled at CES 2017. This versatile laundry pair was designed to offer two washers and two dryers in one system, giving consumers more choices to do laundry the way they want, in all types of situations. Incorporating a range of core Samsung laundry technologies, FlexWash + FlexDry provides the most advanced, flexible laundry solution to meet the needs of busy modern families.

Within the two machines, each distinct laundry compartment includes unique features to tackle wash day needs. The FlexWash front-loader is equipped with five cubic feet of capacity — the largest in its class1 — to handle normal or bulky loads. Meanwhile, the FlexWash top-loader adds another cubic foot of capacity and is built to wash smaller loads separately from the main load. To power through big laundry loads, users can operate both washers at the same time with different settings.

To dry fabrics, FlexDry has the ability to tackle large laundry loads with the added flexibility to dry a few delicate items at the same time. Users can lay clothes flat in the unique Delicate Rack zone at the top of the dryer and gently dry delicates with a controlled, heated air flow. The special zone adjusts the heat between room temperature and 95 degrees Fahrenheit automatically depending on the type of fabric being dried. The main dryer compartment also uses Samsung’s MultiSteam technology to freshen and disinfect clothes while reducing odors and wrinkles.

“Everyone has different clothes and different ways of caring for them,” said Seo Byung-Sam, President of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics. “Finally, FlexWash + FlexDry is a laundry system that fits any need, all at once. We are striving to give consumers the freedom and flexibility to adjust the laundry process for the way they live, not the other way around.”

According to Samsung research on U.S. consumer laundry habits, 87% of U.S. consumers surveyed sort their laundry into lights and darks, different fabric types, and degrees of dirtiness, while 70% of consumers surveyed run two or more back-to-back washes. The new FlexWash + FlexDry laundry approach was developed to transform the marketplace as consumers discover a more efficient, more effective way to sort on the fly and tackle the laundry process. The ability to operate all four compartments separately and simultaneously addresses strong consumer demand to wash clothes faster while still keeping items separate.

The new FlexWash washer uses three core Samsung laundry technologies: SuperSpeedTM, PowerFoamTM, and Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT). SuperSpeed shortens wash cycles to as little as 30 minutes from the usual 60 minutes, while PowerFoam technology uses an innovative mixture of water, air and detergent to deep clean event the bulkiest items with the power of foam. VRT is engineered to minimize vibration and keep the noise level down.

For ease of use, the FlexWash washer does not require two separate water lines, eliminating the need to hire a professional to install. Additionally, easy-to-reach top-load areas on each washer and dryer unit allow consumers to more comfortably load or unload laundry. And transparent glass on the top-load compartments makes it simple to check on laundry cycles at a glance.

Finally, FlexWash + FlexDry are IoT-enabled, backed by smart features that will allow users to control the FlexWash + FlexDry machines with their smartphones2, using the Samsung Smart Home app. They will be able to start, stop, and monitor every cycle for both machines.

FlexWash + FlexDry are both CES Innovation Award honorees in 2017, continuing a string of wins for innovations including activewashTM in 2015 and AddWashTM in 2016.

¹ Based on product dimensions.
²The Samsung Smart Home app supports Android OS 4.0 (ICS) or later which is optimized for Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series). This app also supports iOS 7 or later for iPhone models. Smart Home App available in App Store and Play Store.