[CES 2024] AI will reach cars, computers, TVs, and the home in 2024

Samsung showcased many AI-powered technologies and appliances at CES 2024 in collaboration with companies including Tesla and Hyundai.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee speaks at a press conference at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Monday. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung's Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator suggests recipes based on the ingredients on its shelves. Its all-in-one washer and dryer remembers users' habits and suggests an appropriate washing cycle. The Bespoke Jet Bot, robot cleaner, can recognize objects as well as stains and spaces and adjusts its settings accordingly.

These products and more were showcased at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and are part of Samsung Electronics' vision for an AI-powered future, according to Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee.

“With the emergence of artificial intelligence, smarter, better experiences will redefine how we live,” Han said on Monday. “Samsung’s broad portfolio of powerful devices, along with the pursuit of open collaboration, will help bring AI and hyper-connectivity to all.”

The company's 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV, for example, is powered by its proprietary NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, which will allow the device to automatically upscale low-resolution images to 8K. The TV is also equipped with Samsung's Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which intelligently analyzes voice and background noise to provide an optimal audio experience.

On the consumer tech side, Samsung has been working to closely integrate its Galaxy smartphone with its Galaxy Book4 series. Users can share files and swap functions between the two devices.

And Samsung's SmartThings platform, which uses a pulsed laser to detect objects and create digital floor plans of a user's house, is bringing AI farther into the home. Starting in March, SmartThings will provide a more detailed 3-D map to Samsung smartphones and TVs.

SmartThings will also soon be able to detect emergencies, such as a fall, and send alerts to designated family members and caregivers.

And Samsung’s partnership with Hyundai Motor, announced ahead of CES 2024, will expand SmartThings to automobiles as well.

This will give users access to various home-to-car and car-to-home services.

For instance, users will be able to utilize voice commands to remotely perform functions in their car through SmartThings, such as heating the seats in advance or opening and closing windows. They will also be able to control home functions from their vehicle, including automatically opening and closing garage doors as well as regulating home temperature.

Samsung is also collaborating with Tesla on the sustainability front. SmartThings Energy mode, which automatically optimizes energy usage to help users save electricity, is integrated into Tesla products including its electric vehicles, Powerwall home battery, solar inverter and EV chargers.

LG Electronics CEO William Cho speaks at a press conference at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Monday. [LG ELECTRONICS]

LG Electronics CEO William Cho emphasized that the company’s AI technology stands out from the competition because it is “more caring, empathetic and attentive.”

Cho believes LG will achieve this by leveraging the vast amount of real-time data it has collected from its 500 to 700 million devices that are currently in use worldwide.

“While majority of companies rely on internet-based data, LG Electronics has the real-time ‘life’ data through millions of LG products utilized across the globe,” Cho said.

LG is also in the process of developing a proprietary AI-powered processing engine, dubbed “LG AI Brain,” according to Cho. AI Brain will be able to forecast people's needs based on their interactions with products and adjusting the home devices under its control accordingly.

Cho emphasized that LG’s approach to AI is firmly rooted in the belief that customers should have the full control.

“Affectionate Intelligence will allow AI to fulfill people’s daily lives responsibly,” Cho said. “Life’s Good. This is our solid and uncompromising promise that motivates us to create a better life for our customers, even in the age of AI.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]