Samsung’s New Smart Home Features Include Household Maps With ‘AI Characters’

Samsung is elevating the smart home experience, tailoring it specifically for Samsung-powered households. At the CES 2024 keynote in Las Vegas, Samsung unveiled various new features and enhancements for its SmartThings home automation platform.

Among these innovations is the Now Plus dashboard screen, which was designed for select Samsung TVs. This intuitive screen activates as you near it, providing instant information about your smart home devices and key statistics such as the indoor temperature.

Complementing this is introducing a 'quick panel', offering streamlined access to control shortcuts for your connected devices and practical functions like locating misplaced smartphones and other mobile gadgets.

New Features Overview

• Dashboard Screen and Quick Panel: A central element of the new SmartThings update is the dashboard screen, titled "Now Plus," destined for select Samsung TVs. This screen activates upon approach, displaying crucial information about smart home devices and stats like indoor temperature. The "quick panel" offers shortcuts for controlling connected devices and locating misplaced smartphones and other gadgets​​.

• Map View: Inspired by Amazon's Map View, Samsung's version presents an interactive map of the user's home, pinpointing the location of smart home devices like washing machines and refrigerators. This map can be created manually or automatically using a photo of an existing floor plan or a LiDAR-enabled Samsung device, such as the new Ballie robot or JetBot robot vacuum​​​.

• AI Characters: Adding a unique touch, the SmartThings maps feature animated AI characters representing family members and pets. These avatars react to real-time conditions in the home – for example, appearing to sweat if the home becomes too warm. This feature simplifies smart home management and adds a delightful, personalized aspect​​.

Advanced Integration and User Experience

• Easy Management and Control: The Map View, accessible on mobiles, tablets, TVs, and refrigerators, allows users to see their entire home at a glance, including all connected devices. This integration facilitates effortless monitoring and control of the smart home environment.

• Energy Management: The feature offers energy usage data, enabling homeowners to manage their energy consumption more effectively. This addition aligns with the growing trend of energy-conscious smart home solutions.

• 3D Layout Creation: Users can create a 3D layout of their home in Map View using AI technology. For homes with internet-available floor plans, the process is automatic. Alternatively, users can input physical copies or images of their floor plans or sketch their layout in the app to generate a 3D representation.

Enhanced SmartThings Ecosystem

• LiDAR-Enabled Devices: Samsung’s LiDAR-enabled devices, like the Jet Bot vacuum or the Ballie AI robot, can be used to scan the home and automatically generate a detailed floor plan. This technology enhances the accuracy and ease of setting up the Map View feature.

• Integration with Samsung Products: The Map View and associated features are designed to synchronize seamlessly across Samsung's ecosystem, including TVs, refrigerators, and mobile devices. This integration underscores Samsung's commitment to creating a cohesive and user-friendly smart home experience.

Conclusion

Samsung's new smart home features, particularly integrating household maps with AI characters, signify a major leap in smart home technology. These advancements not only enhance the functionality and management of smart home devices but also introduce an element of personalization and fun.

As the number of connected devices in homes grows, Samsung's innovative approach sets a new standard for smart home interfaces, blending technology with user-centric design for an unparalleled smart living experience.