Samsung unveils new AI that solves common supermarket issue
It might look like an ordinary fridge – but this “game-changing” household appliance is leading the way to solving a huge Aussie problem.
We’ve all opened the fridge and stared blankly at the ingredients inside as our brains scramble to rustle up a dish we can make with what we have in front of us.
If you’re anything like me, chances are you’ll probably give up, resigning yourself to reheating those unidentifiable leftovers that have been lurking in the freezer longer than you should admit.
But feeling uninspired to cook is a common household gripe and could soon be an issue of the past as Artificial Intelligence is now being used to solve food management chores.
Samsung has just unveiled a raft of new home advancements at Europe’s largest consumer electronics exhibition, IFA 2024 in Berlin on Thursday, including updates and a new feature to its personalised, AI-powered food and recipe platform, Samsung Food.
AI tech solves annoying supermarket problem
Users of the popular app, which has amassed over six million users since it launched 12 months ago, can now create personalised meal plans and recipes based on what’s inside your fridge – simply by taking a photo.
As well as recording what’s in your fridge and giving you meal suggestions, the hi-tech “Food List” can also automatically remove the ingredients from your digital pantry when you cook, and add them to your shopping list for the next time you’re at Woolies or Coles.
The meal planner was previously only accessible via the brand’s SmartThings app and the built-in tablet on its smart fridges, but is now available as part of the cross-platform Samsung Food app, turning it into a really useful all-in-one shopping, food management, meal planning, and cooking app.
Beating huge Aussie food waste
“Currently, Australians spend up to 20 hours a week on household tasks including building shopping lists and researching recipes,” Jeremy Senior, Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Australia, told news.com.au.
“In combining our staple kitchen appliance innovations with new AI technologies, we’re able to simplify everyday experiences such as the process of making dinner, so consumers can spend less time on life admin and more time on the things they love.”
But as well as helping Aussies prepare and make a variety of different meals, which can be set to cater to lifestyle or fitness goals such as food allergies or calorie targets, Samsung said one of its main benefits is it can also save money by prioritising items nearing use by-date.
Each year Australians waste around 7.6 million tonnes of food across the food supply chain. This equals about 312kg per person and can cost up to $2500 per household per year according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
“For a long time now, Australian consumers have been worried about the amount of food wastage and the stats show it is incredibly high,” Mr Senior explained.
“There’s a couple of reasons for this. Consumers forget what they have in their fridge, so I might buy bananas and pop them in the crisper then forget about them.
“Or they don’t have the right ingredients to use some of those components to make the dishes that they want, so they’ll let produce go to waste.
“What we’re doing with this technology is making it easier to access what is in your fridge, so not only can you scan it in, but for those who also have one of Samsung’s Family Hub smart fridges, you can also see it remotely.”
While a Samsung Smart Fridge doesn’t come cheap – the kitchen appliance starts at around $5000, and that’s for the smaller 636L device – it has been described as “game-changing” and “remarkable” by customers online.
Instead of manually recording your “Food List” using the app, which costs $6.99 per month for those accessing the new premium features, those with a Samsung AI Family Hub Refrigerator have their foods scanned by cameras mounted inside that record items as they go in and out.
As one reviewer wrote: “It seems like a gimmick until you’re in the supermarket and trying to remember if you have milk at home.”
‘First-of-its-kind’ laundry machine in Australia
The AI-enhanced dining experience isn’t the only way Samsung is harnessing Artificial Intelligence to make common household gripes an issue of the past.
The tech giant also unveiled another way for Aussies to save money at the annual home appliances trade show – an energy saving washer and dryer that uses up to 60 less energy during a wash cycle and 20 per cent less energy during a dry cycle with AI Energy Mode.
The Bespoke AI Heat Pump Combo, which starts at $5499, has been described as a “first of its kind” by Samsung – and reduces energy usage by using Heat Pump technology instead of relying on electricity.
When linked to the SmartThings app, users are able to switch the device on remotely, something Mr Senior described as “super convenient”.
“What’s really good about this device is that you with the one unit, you can wash and dry a standard sized load in under 100 minutes, so you could go to work in the morning and press ‘go’ and it will turn on, wash and dry, so when you get home it’s ready,” he told news.com.au.
“Equally, you could also use SmartThings, and select it to start remotely so that the moment you get home it’s finished and you can take the clothes out fresh.”
Mr Senior also explained another feature of the “all-in-one” laundry gadget was the 7-inch SmartThings monitor which enables users to access other linked devices from the washer/dryer.
“So if someone rings your phone, and you’re at the back of your house putting the washing on, you can answer the call through the machine,” he said.
“All of the things you can do on the app via your phone, you can do on the Bespoke AI Heat Pump Combo as well as other Samsung devices that are SmartThings enabled.
“It’s a really exciting product because it also has a 10-star efficiency rating.”
The clever combo gadget can become even more economical to run when used alongside its AI benefits, which can sense the weight of the laundry, ensuring only the right amount of water and detergent is used. It can also detect the fabric and monitors the level of soiling during the cycle, and adjusts washing time and detergent use accordingly.
After the wash cycle, the technology customises the drying process based on the weight and type of fabric, helping to ensure excellent cleaning and drying results.
“With AI Opti Wash & Dry, Australians can benefit from a thorough, efficient and personalised laundry experience to suit their needs,” Mr Senior said.
The washer/dryer, which launched in the US earlier this year, has already left shoppers overseas impressed with its features – including the “crazy yet cool” detergent dispenser that can hold enough soap for 47 loads so you don’t have to refill it between each use.
Another popular feature is the machine’s automatic door which opens when the load is complete to “let out heat” and keep clothes fresh.
Though some consumers are, understandably, cautious about the use of AI in our homes, Mr Senior said Samsung was committed to demonstrating how it can “transform daily tasks, making life simpler and more efficient for Australians.”
“Whether it’s reducing energy consumption or improving appliance performance, our smart solutions are designed to adapt to the needs of modern homes, helping Australians spend less time on chores and more time doing what they love.”
The journalist travelled to IFA as a guest of Samsung Australia
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