The launch of this methodology is part of Samsung’s participation in the Decarbonising the Use-Phase of Connected Devices (DUCD) initiative, through which the company has teamed up with the Carbon Trust, Amazon, Microsoft and Sky to tackle the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from use-phase electricity consumption of internet-connected electrical and electronic products.

These organisations are focusing on the use-phase in particular because it is typically the largest source of product’s carbon emissions throughout its entire lifetime. Globally, connected devices currently require approximately 500 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually — similar to France’s total energy use. Therefore, understanding and accounting for products’ carbon impact and finding ways to drive down emissions while devices are being used is a priority for the tech industry.

This new methodology sets out how companies can assess and report emissions using data drawn from devices that are being used by their customers, enhancing the accuracy of reporting that has until now relied upon lifetime forecasts used in current emissions accounting. Tech firms will also be able to account for emissions reductions that have been achieved in the process of using the methodology.

The annual reporting of use-phase emissions and reporting of emissions reductions will lead to increased transparency in communication to consumers, incentivising companies to make reductions while products are still being used. The standardisation and accuracy of the data will also guide companies to identify innovative solutions to further reduce the carbon impact of their devices.

Samsung’s contributions to launching the new DUCD methodology are a continuation of the company’s commitment to finding new ways to save energy. This type of innovation is exemplified by SmartThings Energy, which empowers users to track their energy usage and make better energy decisions, as well as AI Energy Mode, which considers usage patterns and electricity rates to help users better manage energy usage.

“The use-phase emissions make up the lion’s share of our products’ carbon emissions across their lifecycle, and measuring is key to managing and reducing emissions,” said Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics. “At Samsung, engaging and empowering consumers through our energy saving solutions is a key element of our climate strategy, and we look forward to applying the DUCD methodology to demonstrate how our SmartThings platform and its AI Energy Mode enable consumers to monitor and reduce the energy use of their connected devices.”

“Connected devices are becoming increasingly relevant in everyday life and so it was important to bring key players in the technology industry together to start to address use-phase emissions now. This collaboration has produced a significantly improved approach for the calculation and reporting of carbon emissions and reductions achieved from connected devices and lays the foundation for further efforts to address emissions in this challenging area.” said Felix Prettejohn, Senior Consultant at the Carbon Trust.

In today’s fast-paced world, our homes have become more than just living spaces; they are also sanctuaries for us to rest, recharge, and spend time with our families and loved ones. At Samsung, we are committed to enhancing lives with connected digital appliances and smart devices, so that we spend less time doing busy work, and more time doing what we want.

Insights from a recent Smart Home and Home Appliance study^[1] we conducted among consumers in Australia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam affirm that while the concept of a Smart Home is already widely known, there is still room to make full use of this technology at home. Three of the key benefits that we found consumers are interested in include:

• Having better control of their connected appliances for peace of mind (72%);
• Taking advantage of energy optimisation features to help save both time and money (61%)
• Simplifying chores at home for better productivity (54%).

Optimised Living with AI

The advent of technologies like AI has made all of this possible and much simpler with in-built AI features across our various connected digital appliances and smart devices that are designed to enrich the lives of consumers. This is particularly useful for consumers in our Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region whom we have found to value home appliances that are able to help them monitor and save on energy usage, automate chores to free up their time, as well as having smart features for better management of their connected appliances.

For example, when it comes to tracking energy usage of appliances in the home, being able to integrate insights into a single viewing pane using SmartThings Energy can help improve how consumers better see and control their usage. This in turn translates into tangible cost savings; this is particularly important as many of our customers within the SEAO region are also grappling with increased energy costs and higher daily living expenses^[2].

Our users can take advantage of AI Energy Mode^[3] in selected refrigerator, room air-conditioner, washing machine and dishwasher models, which users can activate easily via the SmartThings app to save energy. The app also lets users conveniently set energy usage goals and receive notifications when the target for the month has been reached.

At the same time, Samsung is also enabling our users to make conscious choices about their consumption habits. The 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub^TM[4] features AI Vision Inside^[5], to automatically recognise up to 33 fresh food ingredients as they are being put in and out of the refrigerator. This helps users to better manage what’s in their refrigerator, thus contributing to reducing both overbuying and food waste.

Easier Living with the Rise of Personal Home Assistants

Today, AI has permeated our everyday lives, seamlessly integrating with innovative technologies like smart cameras and voice control. These advancements have transformed household appliances into effective companions that work in tandem to enhance living experiences, making it no surprise that tech-savvy consumers^[6] connect to an average of 3.7 devices at home, with the top connected devices being smartphones, TVs, refrigerators and washing machines.

Consumers can tap into Samsung’s intuitive and connected ecosystem for an easier cooking process easier from start to finish. When it comes to ideating recipes and buying ingredients, SmartThings Food lets you conveniently create and check a list of the food in your refrigerator anytime and anywhere, while recommending personalised recipes that can be conveniently sent to the Samsung Bespoke Built-in Oven.

Cleaning elsewhere in the home, too, becomes a more efficient affair thanks to intelligent AI Recognition^[7] on the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, which powers features like AI Floor Detect^[8] that identifies different floor types and automatically decides when its mop should be activated for cleaning.  Simply put, you can let the washing machine and robot cleaner do their jobs, without having to worry if you’ve enabled the right settings.

The Smart Home Revolution Starts Now

The future of smarter homes is here, and it’s designed to make our lives easier, more enjoyable, and with less environmental impact. Samsung is leading the way in this exciting evolution, providing innovative solutions that transform the way we live, and for the better. With technologies like AI, effortless living can truly be a reality.

^[1] The Samsung IFC Smart Home AI Use Case Study was conducted in February 2024, with 1,212 survey participants, aged 22-55, from four countries: Singapore (293 respondents), Australia (268 respondents), Thailand (289 respondents) and Vietnam (362 respondents).

^[2] According to an internal study conducted with 1296 participants from Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia, and focus groups with 24 respondents from Singapore and Vietnam.

^[3] Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

^[4] Does not mean all services available on the AI Family Hub are AI or generate information or outcome using AI. AI Vision Inside accessible through the AI Family Hub utilises AI-based algorithm, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. The AI-based algorithms may generate incomplete or incorrect information.

^[5] As of March 2024, AI Vision Inside can recognise up to 33 food items like fresh fruits and vegetables. Items need to be scanned 1 at a time. If the food is not recognisable, it may be listed as unknown item. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. It recognises food items based on an on-device smart food management system which combines food detection and classification models to help identify food items. Learning models may be updated periodically to help improve accuracy.

^[6] Tech-savvy consumers are defined as consumers who have stated that they are ‘neutral’ to ‘very interested’ in Smart Home technology based on the Samsung IFC Smart Home AI Use Case Study conducted in February 2024.

^[7] Based on Samsung’s deep learning model trained using predefined sets of data. May yield incomplete or incorrect information. New datasets may be introduced to Samsung’s learning model from time to time to enhance its accuracy.

^[8] SmartThings Labs delivers new features designed for consumer convenience. Key functionality of the Deep Clean feature such as the distance or accuracy of contamination recognition may vary. Stained areas are identified as solid colour spots, such as dried fruit juice stains, that are 4 x 4 cm or larger. Stained area identification may vary depending on the size of the stain or floor conditions, such as floor pattern. Stained area recognition must be enabled in advance via the SmartThings app. Requires a Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account. Based on a model trained using a pre-defined dataset and may contain incomplete or inaccurate data. New datasets may be introduced to our deep learning models from time to time to enhance the model’s accuracy.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled a campaign video titled “Everyday SmartThings with Son,” starring globally renowned football player Son Heung-min. The video underscores the collaboration between Son Heung-min and Samsung and features scenes of Son utilizing the personalized multi-device experience that the SmartThings lifestyle has to offer.

A Galaxy brand ambassador since the Unpacked event in July 2023, Son has partnered with Samsung on the new SmartThings campaign. With a focus on Son’s perspective, the campaign focuses particularly on entertainment, health and saving energy, all of which are areas of high interest among customers globally. The video, which showcases Son living an upgraded daily lifestyle in a series of interviews throughout, will be released through Samsung’s global social channels. All the devices in the video are seamlessly connected within the SmartThings ecosystem. The devices included are not only conventional home appliances such as TVs and refrigerators, but also an array of other devices like speakers and lights.

An Energy-Saving Routine, Thanks to SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Routines

Energy conservation is front and center in the video, as it is showcased through the use of key features of the SmartThings app, such as the SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Routines.

SmartThings Energy allows real-time monitoring of energy consumption from various devices like refrigerators, washing machines and TVs. It activates AI Energy Mode^[1] before usage reaches higher pricing tiers, which effectively reduces electricity expenses.

With the SmartThings Routines feature, users automatically control household appliances based on specified times and conditions. Son demonstrates this in the campaign video with the “Going Out Routine,” which automatically turns appliances off when he leaves his house. Thanks to this function, Son can pay more attention to other things to do before going out while also reducing unnecessary energy consumption, which leads to a more efficient daily routine.

Harmonise Leisure Time With Music Sync and Hue Sync

Apart from functions that save energy, SmartThings boasts features that enhance leisure time at home. Music Sync^[2] creates a dynamic home atmosphere by synchronizing lighting connected to SmartThings with music played on a Galaxy device. Hue Sync^[3] performs a similar function but with Samsung smart TVs, offering users an immersive viewing experience as they enjoy their favorite movies, live events or video games, etc.

In the video, Son makes use of these features through adaptive lighting, which sets a relaxed mood for him at home. Also featured is Gaming Mode, which Son uses to immerse himself in his favorite video games by syncing the color and movement of his home lighting with on-screen action.

Monitoring Health With the Galaxy Watch

The Galaxy Watch can provide users with real-time workout data, such as heart rate, calories burned and exercise duration. With SmartThings, Son is able to get the best use out of this feature by simultaneously doing core exercises and watching a football match on TV. While watching the match, he can see the data from his workout on his TV screen^[4]. This innovative integration enables individuals to exercise effectively while watching TV.

Commenting on his participation in the campaign, Son said, “The system operates automatically, which makes the experience very simple. Through SmartThings, I’ve found myself enjoying my time at home more while saving energy. It’s easy!”

“Everyday SmartThings with Son” can be found at Samsung’s official YouTube and Instagram channels.

^{[1] Available only for models that support AI Energy Mode. Prior to use, SmartThings Energy Service in the SmartThings app needs to be installed.}

^{[2] Compatible lighting must be purchased separately and connected to the SmartThings app.}

^{[3] Compatible lighting must be purchased separately; paid subscription of the Hue Sync app is required through Samsung TV app.}

^{[4] Available from 2024; availability and the timing of support may vary by country and region.}