logo
AI in every room: why home appliances are getting smart

AI in every room: why home appliances are getting smart

Perth Now03-05-2025

Lights flick on as you enter the hall, the air-conditioner has pre-chilled the lounge, the robot vacuum has cleaned up, and the fridge sends you a message to let you know your cheese is nearing its expiry date.
The artificially intelligent fridge can, if you agree, suggest recipes involving cheese and share them with the oven.
This scenario is not from the future but one white goods manufacturers are keen for consumers to embrace now.
Samsung Australia this week launched an extensive range of appliances powered by artificial intelligence, from washing machines to ovens, that will compete with similarly smart products from LG, Hisense, Ecovacs, Philips, Electrolux and more.
Experts say the trend proves all appliances will be fuelled by AI in an effort to make them more convenient, although they warn of potential downsides to the change, including challenges to get multiple brands to work with one another and the risk of premature obsolescence.
Samsung launched its AI electronics showcase in Sydney's Town Hall, where product experts demonstrated refrigerators with embedded cameras for cataloguing food and ovens capable of sending alerts when they detect dinner is burning.
The advanced software and hardware features are being considered in the design stage, Samsung Australia consumer electronics director Phil Gaut says, rather than being added to appliances as afterthoughts.
"This year is the first time AI has been at the centre of product research and product development," he says.
"That's the way we believe the market is going to go and that's where we see benefit, whether it's answering the doorbell from a washing machine or whether it's the ability, when you've left home and you're driving down the road, to check if you've left something on."
Most of the latest internet-connected, AI appliances feature large touchscreens, familiar apps such as Spotify and YouTube, and some add cameras for specific purposes, such as assessing the dirt on clothes or streaming video of food as it cooks.
Energy savings are also a growing focus for AI-powered appliances, Mr Gaut says, with several Australian electricity retailers making their prices available within Samsung's appliance app.
Using this information, consumers can work out how much energy it takes to wash a load of clothes, for example, and determine whether there's a cheaper time of day to do it.
"There's a big solution with British Gas in the UK where you can take the (Samsung) SmartThings platform, add your gas tariff, and it pushes notifications (like) if you delay putting your dishwasher on for an hour it will save you 20 per cent on your wash cycle," he tells AAP.
"There are some really exciting projects happening globally and we're looking at them locally to continue to move the needle."
Saving energy is one of the top reasons Australian consumers consider investing in AI-powered appliances, says Foad Fadaghi, managing director of Telsyte, which analyses emerging technology.
While the popularity of smart devices is high in Australia, and remains steady, he says many potential buyers are switching their focus from what they can automate to what savings they can achieve.
"People are definitely after convenience and they're after true intelligence - artificial intelligence - and things that will save them money," he says.
"The smart energy sector has been resilient despite the cost of living because the price of energy continues to go up."
Smart appliances do face challenges in Australia, however.
The electronics industry launched an open-source standard called Matter in 2022 to help more smart home devices connect to one another, but Mr Fadaghi says its adoption has been slow and fragmented.
Some consumers are also concerned smart appliances will not last as long as more basic models, given they will require software updates and ongoing support.
"One of the fears is that we get into an upgrade cycle for fridges, for example, that is the same as smartphones," he says.
"That's not what consumers are after - they're after something that lasts for five to 15 or 20 years for some appliances."
Samsung has pledged to offer seven years' of software updates to its smart appliances, while companies including Miele and Hisense offer up to 10 years of support, and Philips promises five years of updates for its smart lights and accessories.
Despite concerns, University of NSW AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh says the move from dumb devices to smart appliances is inevitable.
"Anything electric is going to have AI added to it to make it hopefully easier to use and more engaging," he says.
"Most things, whether they be our toasters, oven or front doorbells, don't have keyboards so we're going to talk to them and that will mean they'll have to have some AI to understand us."
AI-powered appliances have the potential to set routines and add more convenience for households, Professor Walsh says, just as the original washing machines revolutionised clothes maintenance.
Rules to govern what smart appliances can do, how they do it, and whether they remain secure while connected to the internet will be important, he says.
After all, today's smart appliances and voice assistants are fulfilling a role predicted in the 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"People don't realise everything HAL does, you can have in your home today: an AI you can talk to, have a decent conversation with, play chess with, open the doors upon your instruction," Dr Walsh says.
"It shows how (technology) has become part of the furniture."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on how he will handle meeting Donald Trump
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on how he will handle meeting Donald Trump

The Advertiser

timean hour ago

  • The Advertiser

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on how he will handle meeting Donald Trump

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said.

First look inside new Sydney airport
First look inside new Sydney airport

Perth Now

timean hour ago

  • Perth Now

First look inside new Sydney airport

Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. The $5.3bn project is on time and on budget. WSIA Credit: Supplied The terminal ceiling is reminiscent of a traditional Australian veranda. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. The airport has sandstone feature walls. WSIA Credit: Supplied The project has created 12,000 jobs and benefited 360 Western Sydney businesses. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied The nearest suburb is 10km from the end of the runway. WSIA Credit: Supplied The airport is projected to serve 23,000 passengers and 800t of cargo a day by 2030. WSIA Credit: Supplied Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.

First pictures reveal what Western Sydney International Airport will look like
First pictures reveal what Western Sydney International Airport will look like

West Australian

timean hour ago

  • West Australian

First pictures reveal what Western Sydney International Airport will look like

Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store