Samsung has announced a significant update to its SmartThings platform, introducing AI-powered ambient sensing technology that will turn its connected appliances and devices into motion and sound sensors. This innovative feature, set to roll out in 2025 and 2026, aims to make SmartThings more intuitive and responsive to users' needs, enhancing their smart home experience.

The new technology, part of Samsung's "AI for All" vision, leverages sensors in its appliances, such as TVs, speakers, refrigerators, and air conditioners, to gather insights from everyday life and create personalized experiences. By detecting motion and sound, SmartThings can suggest automations and experiences based on wellness, security, energy savings, and entertainment. For instance, a Samsung TV can detect exercise routines and provide guidance, while a speaker can recognize the sound of a hair dryer and trigger the robot vacuum to clean up fallen hair.

This ambient sensing technology has the potential to revolutionize home automation, eliminating the need for separate motion sensors and enabling more sophisticated automations. Samsung assures that all data from the sensors will be stored locally on the SmartThings hub, ensuring user privacy and security. Although the company hasn't disclosed the specific sensing technology used, industry experts speculate that it might be mmWave radar sensing, a technology gaining popularity in smart home devices.

In addition to the ambient sensing update, Samsung also announced improvements to its Map View feature, which provides a visual interface for interacting with connected devices. The new generative AI upgrade will give Map View a deeper understanding of a home's unique layout and environment, allowing for more personalized experiences. Users will be able to customize their map by adding photos of furniture and objects, enabling the system to respond more accurately to their presence.

These updates address a significant pain point in the smart home industry – context. By leveraging sensors and AI, Samsung is adding a crucial piece to the smart home puzzle, enabling devices to respond intuitively to users' needs without requiring manual input or voice commands. As the smart home market continues to evolve, Samsung's innovative approach is likely to set a new standard for personalized and efficient home automation.

The Verge has reached out to Samsung for further information on which devices will be equipped with ambient sensors and whether third-party sensors will be compatible with the new technology. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Samsung's announcement marks a significant milestone in the development of smart home technology, and its implications will be closely watched by industry experts and consumers alike. As the company continues to push the boundaries of AI-powered innovation, it's clear that the future of smart homes is becoming increasingly intelligent and responsive to our needs.