AliceSamsung used IFA 2015 to showcase its latest offerings for the connected smart home sector.
Aside from the manufacturer’s major £200 SmartThings Starter Kit launch, Samsung revealed that it has also turned its attention to ‘clever and connected’ washing machines, smart sleeping and integration with cars.
BMW and Volkswagen
Samsung has realised that cars are an important part of the emerging IoT ecosystem, deciding to work with BMW and Volkswagen to tap into this inevitably lucrative revenue stream.
The company announced that Samsung SmartThings will soon integrate with BMW cars by displaying notifications from the SmartThings Hub directly on the dashboard.
In turn, the SmartThings App makes it possible to check the technical status of a user’s BMW and lock and unlock it remotely.
Samsung also announced details of its partnership with Volkswagen, which will offer drivers a ‘seamlessly connected car experience’ through Car Mode for Galaxy – an App powered by MirrorLinkTM, a standard for car connectivity.
Car Mode for Galaxy – controlled by both touch and voice powered by S-Voice – allows the driver to take calls easily and safely, listen to playlists, or get directions to their destination; it even reads incoming text messages out loud.
Not stopping there, the Volkswagen partnership also integrates the Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote App, which connects the new Samsung Gear S2 with a range of Volkswagen vehicles, enabling seamless interaction right from the driver’s wrist.
Users can use the tech to locate where they have parked, turn on the air conditioning before returning to the car or manage the battery levels of an electric Volkswagen car.
Smart Sleep
Next to be unveiled was Samsung’s SleepSense, a connected device in the form of a flat disk designed for placement under a mattress.
It connects to Samsung appliances as well as third party IoT devices; for example, when the user falls asleep, the application will automatically turn off the television and adjust the heating or air conditioning for a ‘perfect sleep environment’.
Based on SleepSense’s daily ‘sleep scores’ and reports, which can be seen on the user’s smartphone, the application provides advice and recommendations, taking into account each individual’s metabolism – the result of a collaboration with Dr. Christos Mantzoros from Harvard Medical School.
Also showcased was the Samsung WW8500 AddWash, a ‘clever and connected’ washing machine that works with both Android and iOS devices, allowing people to remotely monitor and operate the machine as well as receive a range of notifications straight to their smartphone.
“At the heart of all Samsung’s IoT innovations is our long-standing approach of researching and observing people’s daily lives and looking beyond the obvious to find innovative ways of enriching them, by turning everyday moments into enjoyable experiences,” comments Dr W.P. Hong, chief marketing officer for Samsung Electronics. “This philosophy will not change as we lead the way to a smarter, more connected, and more human future for us all.”
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