Samsung unveils SmartThings Station with interoperability capabilities

Samsung Electronics held a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the event at Mandalay Hotel, Las Vegas, to introduce its smart home vision themed “Bring Calm to Our Connected World.”

Samsung Electronics' SmartThings Station device controller introduced Wednesday [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung Electronics introduced SmartThings Station, a smart home device controller with built-in Matter support, Wednesday, a day before CES 2023 officially kicks off.

The Matter smart home standard is the latest connectivity protocol enabling interoperability between different brands. That means Matter-compatible electronic devices from other manufacturers such as Google, Amazon and Apple can be controlled through the SmartThings Station and SmartThings device control app.

By pressing a button on the SmartThings Station device, consumers can kick-start previously-set device operation routines, such as drawing blinds or turning off lights, according to Samsung Electronics. The automated device routines can be set through the SmartThings app.

The SmartThings Station can be used as a wireless charger for smartphones as well.

The latest device control gadget will be displayed at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. The electronics maker plans to sell the SmartThings Station starting this month in the United States and Korea, at the price of 129,000 won ($101.50).

The CES 2023 tech fair is a four-day event, taking place from Thursday through Sunday.

Han Jong-hee, Samsung Electronics CEO, speaks during a press conference held in Las Vegas, Wednesday. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung Electronics held a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the event at Mandalay Hotel, Las Vegas, to introduce its smart home vision themed “Bring Calm to Our Connected World.”

Samsung Electronics hopes to enhance the interoperability of smart home appliances and other electronics from different brands, to create seamless connectivity between devices.

“We recognize our vision is a big one,” said Han Jong-hee, Samsung Electronics CEO, who delivered a keynote speech that day.

“It will take time, innovation, and cooperation with partners worldwide. But we are committed to achieving it, and already getting started.”

Samsung Electronics is one of the six founding members of the Home Connectivity Alliance, which aims to develop and implement guidelines for device interoperability.

“Samsung SmartThings is no longer just a simple IoT platform,” said Jung Jae-yeon, Samsung Electronics executive vice president and head of SmartThings. “It conveys Samsung Electronics’ new value and vision to provide a hyper-connected experience for consumers.”

Sustainability was another keyword during the Wednesday event.

“Some of our most popular products are now some of our most sustainable,” said Chung In-hee, vice president of Samsung’s Corporate Sustainability Center.

Samsung Electronics is using recycled plastic from discarded fishing nets to produce TVs and smartphones.

The company aims to replace fossil fuels with 100 percent renewable energy, and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]