Samsung's new smart home features include AI characters in household maps

Samsung aims to enhance the intelligence of smart homes, particularly those equipped with Samsung technology. In its CES 2024 keynote in Las Vegas, the company unveiled various enhancements and capabilities for its SmartThings home automation platform. An upcoming Now Plus dashboard screen, set to appear on select Samsung TVs, will activate as you approach, providing information about smart home devices and displaying stats such as the current indoor temperature. Additionally, a new “quick panel” will offer shortcuts for managing connected devices and performing tasks like locating misplaced smartphones and other mobile gadgets.

In another development, Samsung introduced a new “map view” for SmartThings, similar to Amazon’s recently launched Map View. Samsung’s version displays an interactive map of your home, indicating the locations of various smart home devices such as washing machines and refrigerators. Users can manually create maps or utilize a photo of an existing floor plan or a lidar-enabled Samsung device, such as the upcoming Ballie robot or the new JetBot robot vacuum, for automatic mapping.

Adding a touch of charm (or perhaps intrigue, depending on one’s perspective), the new SmartThings maps feature “AI characters” representing family members and pets within the home. These animated avatars “respond” to real-time conditions, such as appearing to sweat if the house becomes too warm.

Maps must be created through the SmartThings app on a smartphone or tablet. Once generated, they will be visible on supported Samsung TVs, the screen of the Samsung Family Hub smart fridge, and Samsung’s M8 monitors.

Raksha

Raksha, a seasoned journalist, specializes in crafting insightful narratives on blockchain and AI developments. With a keen eye for innovation, she distills complex topics into accessible stories, providing readers with a clear understanding of the dynamic intersection between these transformative technologies.