January 05, 2024 – In a recent development prior to the commencement of CES 2024, Samsung Electronics made a significant announcement through a press release on its official website, revealing a new smart home partnership with Tesla.
According to the announcement, Samsung has established a service integration with Tesla, which will be exhibited at CES 2024. This collaboration involves connecting Samsung’s SmartThings Energy platform to Tesla’s range of products, including the Powerwall home battery, solar inverters, wall connector charging solutions, and electric vehicles (EVs).
“In addition to the Tesla app, users of Tesla Energy can now manage and monitor their home’s power status through SmartThings Energy and Samsung devices, ensuring greater access and connectivity,” said Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President and Head of the IoT Development Team at Samsung Electronics’ Device Platform Center. “This new partnership marks a significant milestone for Samsung Electronics, expanding the application of our solutions beyond home appliances.”
Furthermore, the synchronization capability between SmartThings Energy and the Powerwall’s “Storm Watch” feature on the Tesla app will enable users to better prepare for power outages. This means that during extreme weather events such as typhoons or heavy snow, users can receive alerts through SmartThings on their connected Samsung TVs and smartphones, in addition to the Tesla app. Additionally, users can activate AI Energy Mode before and during power outages to extend the usage time of the remaining backup energy stored in Tesla Powerwall.
The announcement also stated that this collaborative service is currently in development and is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2024.
In another related news release, Samsung announced a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group. The two companies will jointly work on the next generation of smart homes, connecting Samsung’s SmartThings platform with Hyundai and Kia’s connected cars, including electric vehicles. This collaboration aims to develop “home-to-car” and “car-to-home” services, as well as integrated home energy management solutions.
Through the SmartThings platform, users will be able to perform various car-related operations within their homes, such as starting the car, controlling smart air conditioning, opening and closing windows, and checking the charging status. Additionally, users can control home appliances like TVs, air conditioners, and car chargers through their vehicles.
With SmartThings’ “Good Morning” and “Arriving Home” routines, users can simultaneously operate multiple devices, including their vehicles. For instance, when the morning alarm goes off on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, the curtains can automatically open, and the lights and TV can turn on. When users are getting ready to leave for work, their car can adjust itself to the ideal temperature. Moreover, information such as the remaining battery and driving range of electric vehicles will be displayed on smartphones and TV screens.
To further enhance the car-to-home services, Samsung is closely collaborating with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Harman. Harman’s “Ready Upgrade” is a digital cockpit package that allows for hardware and software upgrades. With Ready Upgrade, users will be able to install SmartThings functionality, enabling them to better utilize various car-to-home services.
