- Published 2026.11.05 14:20
Highlights practicality including energy savings based on SmartThings
Targets African market with locally tailored AI appliances
Samsung Electronics is expanding its 'Connected Living' ecosystem in Kenya, leveraging its smart home platform SmartThings and artificial intelligence (AI) appliances. Given the high electricity cost burden in emerging African markets, the company is focusing on energy savings and practicality to broaden its influence in the local smart home market.
According to Sam Odhiambo, head of the consumer electronics (CE) division at Samsung Electronics' Kenyan subsidiary, on Nov. 5, Samsung Electronics has introduced the Connected Living experience to the Kenyan market and expanded its lineup of AI appliances compatible with SmartThings. Appliances that were previously used individually, such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines, can now be connected through a single application, enabling remote control and automated routines.
Samsung Electronics has gone beyond simply connecting products to focus on solving everyday concerns of Kenyan households. In particular, reflecting local consumers' sensitivity to power consumption and electricity bills, the company has put the SmartThings Energy feature at the forefront.
Through SmartThings Energy, users can monitor the power usage of their appliances in real time and analyze consumption patterns. On compatible devices, they can also activate AI Energy Mode to automatically reduce power consumption based on the operating environment.
The flagship products introduced locally are everyday AI appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. The washing machine equipped with AI Wash technology automatically detects the weight and soil level of laundry to optimize water and detergent usage.
The Bespoke AI refrigerator features a hybrid cooling system that learns the user's door opening and closing patterns and automatically adjusts cooling performance. It helps prevent unnecessary power waste and keeps food fresher for longer.
Samsung Electronics also presented measures to lower the entry barrier for local consumers regarding smart home setup costs. The company emphasizes that consumers do not need to replace all appliances at once, but can gradually add compatible devices according to each household's budget, encouraging a practical approach.
Samsung Electronics has been steadily laying the groundwork for expanding the smart home ecosystem in Kenya. In August 2023, it partnered with housing developer Tilisi Views to operate a customized smart home experience center, and in October 2024, it participated in the Korea-Kenya Partnership Week to unveil its next-generation smart home vision.
Odhiambo explained that the main purpose of this ecosystem expansion is to help consumers directly control their appliances by analyzing power usage patterns. Samsung Electronics is focusing on enhancing both energy efficiency and convenience for Kenyan households using Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
※ This article is an AI translation of the Korean original published by Korea Credit News; it was checked by automated quality guards and published by the English edition desk.
