Vacuum cleaners, dryers, electric irons, freezers, and refrigerators – home appliances that are now commonplace – were introduced beginning at the turn of the 20th century and have since had a transformative effect on the time and effort involved in household chores.
With the recent emergence of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), appliance manufacturers have begun developing machines and devices that incorporate these and other advanced technologies, creating new appliances which offer unprecedented levels of convenience.
At the January 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024) the impact of AI on home appliances was on full display, making it clear that AI-enabled home appliances have arrived.
In this article: An introduction to AI in home appliances • A brief overview of AI • The difference between “smart” and “AI” • Integrating AI into home appliances Real world examples of AI-enabled home appliances • Major appliances • Small appliances Benefits and Challenges of AI in Home Appliances • The advantages of using AI in home appliances • Potential issues and challenges with AI in home appliances Future trends • From appliances to home ecosystems • Trustworthy technology • Addressing AI energy consumption Conclusion
An introduction to AI in home appliances
A brief overview of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer system or algorithm to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, and using language.
A branch of computer science, AI is a rapidly evolving, constantly changing field. Moreover, AI is not a monolithic concept, but rather describes a range of machine abilities.
Differing levels of ability are categorized as different types of AI. While AI classifications and nomenclature vary reflecting evolving understanding of both theoretical and realized AI, two common ways of categorizing different types of AI are capability and functionality.
Capability
As described in an October 2023 blog post by the IBM Data and AI Team, when categorized by capability, AI is segregated into three kinds: Narrow AI, General AI, and Super AI.
Today, the only kind of AI that exists is Narrow AI. General AI and Super AI are purely theoretical.
Narrow AI can be trained to do a specific task or to target a single cognitive ability, often performing more quickly and more accurately than a human. Narrow AI cannot, however, function outside of that specific task.
Examples of Narrow AI include Siri, IBM Watson, and Alexa. Because ChatGPT is restricted to text-based communication, even OpenAI's offering is regarded as a type of narrow artificial intelligence.
Functionality
In terms of functionality, AI is segregated into four kinds, writes IBM, describing a classification system that is also put forward by futurist and business and technology thought leader, Bernard Marr. The four kinds of functionality-based AI are: Reactive Machine AI, Limited Memory AI, Theory of Mind AI, and Self-Aware AI.
Theory of Mind AI – a form of General AI – and Self-Aware AI – a form of Super AI – are both purely theoretical.
Reactive Machine AI and Limited Memory AI, on the other hand, are forms of Narrow AI which are currently used in various applications.
Reactive Machine AI is exemplified by Netflix's recommendation engine, which uses models to analyze data sets gathered from viewing histories and offer recommendations to viewers. Limited Memory AI is exemplified by virtual assistants and chatbots like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant which combine natural language processing (NLP) with Limited Memory AI to understand requests, compose responses, and take proper action. Generative AI tools like Bard and ChatGPT also rely on Limited Memory AI capabilities to predict the next word, phrase, or visual element within generated content.
The difference between “smart” and “AI”
In the realm of home appliances, “smart” is often used interchangeably with AI.
While an ever-increasing number of smart home appliances incorporate AI to some degree – so that there is indeed some overlap – a smart machine and an AI machine are not the same.
The main difference between a smart machine and an AI machine is the level of intelligence and autonomy they exhibit.
A smart machine is any device or system that can process data, connect with other devices or the internet, and automate tasks in a manner designed to make the user’s life easier and more convenient. Smart machines or devices, such as smart thermostats, smart lighting systems, and smart kitchen appliances, can also typically be controlled remotely through a smartphone or voice command.
However, while smart machines may use algorithms, sensors, or other technologies to achieve functionality, they can only do what they are programmed to do. They cannot learn or adapt to new situations or contexts.
While it may be considered a type of smart machine, an AI machine, unlike a simple smart machine, can go beyond its programming and learn from its experiences.
Using machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and other advanced technologies, an AI-enabled appliance is able to learn from a user’s habits and preferences and improve its performance over time.
A smart appliance and an AI appliance both refer to devices that use advanced technology to provide enhanced functionality, but there are key distinguishing features between smart technology and AI: - Smart technology uses various technologies or algorithms that do not involve AI, such as sensors, databases, user interfaces, and other technologies. AI uses machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and other advanced techniques to learn from data and improve its performance over time. - Smart technology can only do what it is programmed to do, and it cannot learn or adapt to new situations or contexts. AI can go beyond its programming and learn from its experiences, and it can perform tasks that are complex, creative, or unpredictable. - Smart technology may use AI as a component, but it is not AI itself. AI is a type of smart technology, but not all smart technologies are AI.
Integrating AI into home appliances
Voice recognition was the first application of AI in consumer devices with AI algorithms being used to enable smartphones and personal assistants to comprehend and react to user inputs.
Early iterations of technologies, such as Siri, were only programmed to comprehend extremely narrow commands and assertions, however, and human interaction was necessary to increase their capabilities and knowledge base.
But artificial intelligence capabilities continued to advance.
The ground-breaking creation of artificial neural networks in 2012 enabled machines to engage in reinforcement learning, replicating how the human brain processes information.
These deep learning models, unlike earlier machine learning models, were capable of learning new behaviors, carrying out activities requiring human intellect, and making judgments on their own without the need for human intervention.
Deep learning paved the way for the development of smart appliances which seamlessly combine automation and AI to further automate tasks and improve customer experiences in a variety of areas, including cleaning, cooking, and controlling core household systems.
Today, “if you’re using any kind of smart home device, you’re already using some degree of AI,” writes Camilla Sharman in her December 2023 article, “How will AI make an impact in the kitchen?” published in Tom’s Guide. “AI is taking smart tech and making it smarter. We’re going from ‘smart’ meaning you can control an appliance with your phone, to ‘smart’ meaning it learns and adapts to your needs all by itself.”
Real world examples of AI-enabled home appliances
AI-enabled appliances and electronics are taking the world by storm,” writes Juliet McAlee in her September 2023 article, “AI-Enabled Appliances Make for More Intuitive Living Spaces,” published in B2B publication Dealerscope, citing a MarketsandMarkets report that projects the global smart home market to “grow from $101.7 billion in 2023 to $163.7 billion by 2028.”
When it comes to home appliances that are AI-enabled and not simply smart, Samsung Electronics is leading the field. In 2023, Samsung announced plans to “equip all its new home appliance products with neural processing units (NPUs)” by 2024 and subsequently debuted a slew of new AI-enabled consumer electronics and home appliances at January’s CES in Las Vegas.
Following are several examples of AI-enabled home appliances currently (or soon to be) offered by Samsung and other manufacturers.
Major appliances
Refrigerators
An impressive example is the Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™. Among other smart and connected features, the refrigerator has an internal camera that recognizes up to 33 different and constantly changing food items. This “AI Vision Inside” monitors expiration dates and suggests recipes based on available food items – displaying recommended recipes on the refrigerator’s 32-inch screen.
Ranges, ovens, and cooktops
The Bosch Series 8 smart ovens come with several key AI features that enhance the cooking experience. To bake a dish, simply choose the appropriate cooking program from the oven’s touch screen (or the Home Connect app) and then place the dish inside. The oven’s AI calculates baking time for different types of food and adjusts the baking or cooking process automatically using data from sensor readings.
Washers and dryers
Another CES 2024 debut, Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ is an All-in-One washer and dryer with a 7-inch LCD screen – the “AI Hub4” – that serves as an easy-to-use control center for laundry management. Samsung’s AI Laundry Combo™ finds the best wash and dry cycles based on a range of parameters such load weight, fabric type, and soil level. It uses machine learning to recommend cycles and also customizes washing and drying by remembering user preferences.
Small appliances
Vacuums
Once again, Samsung. Samsung’s upcoming vacuum and mop robot cleaner, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™, will utilize AI technology to improve the cleaning experience. With upgraded AI Object Recognition, the Jet Bot Combo™ improves is driving and autonomous navigation capabilities, distinguishing more objects, detecting stains, recognizing the type of floor it encounters, determining carpet length, and adjusting its settings appropriately.
Stand mixers
General Electric offers a smart mixer. The GE Profile mart mixer, dubbed the “smartest mixer (designed and assembled) in the USA” features Auto Sense Technology, which uses motor torque feedback to actively monitor changes in texture and viscosity and prevent over-mixing and under-mixing. The mixer will automatically shut-off when mixing is complete. It also comes with a built-in smart scale and voice-control capabilities and the hallmark of AI, the ability to improve over time through GE Profile Connect + which connects the mixer to home WiFi allowing it to receive software updates and step-by-step guided recipes.
Clothes irons
Philips PerfectCare 9000 Series steam generator iron was credited with being the world’s first AI-enabled iron upon its release in 2020. With the tagline “the only iron that knows what you are ironing,” the PerfectCare 9000 comes with “ActiveSense” fabric sensing technology. Equipped with a built-in camera and AI, the PerfectCare 9000 knows what you are ironing and adjusts temperature and steam amount accordingly. “DynamiQ” smart sensors detect the iron’s movement, enabling it to deliver steam where needed most.
Benefits and Challenges of AI in Home Appliances
The advantages of using AI in home appliances
AI is a powerful technology that can enhance the functionality and convenience of home appliances. Advantages of using AI in home appliances include:
Increased efficiency. AI can help optimize the performance of appliances by adjusting their settings based on user preferences, environmental factors, and usage patterns. For example, a smart thermostat can learn the optimal temperature for different times of the day and seasons, and automatically regulate the heating or cooling system.
Energy savings. AI can help reduce the energy consumption of appliances by minimizing wastefulness and maximizing savings. For example, by detecting load size and fabric type and selecting appropriate cycle and detergent amount, AI-enabled washers like Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ described above can reduce energy consumption and wastefulness.
Personalized user experience. AI can help create a more personalized and interactive user experience by recognizing individual users and catering to their needs and preferences. For example, the Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™ not only suggests recipes based on available food items, but includes a “Personalize” feature that helps users modify recipes to suit their unique dietary needs.
Predictive maintenance. AI can help prevent malfunctions and breakdowns of appliances by monitoring their health and performance, providing alerts and notifications for maintenance or repair. For example, many smart vacuum cleaners send an alert when their dustbin is full or their battery is low.
Potential issues and challenges with AI in home appliances
AI in home appliances can offer many benefits for homeowners, such as improved convenience, security, and energy efficiency. However, there are also some challenges and limitations, such as privacy, security, and ethical issues, that need to be addressed.
Privacy concerns. AI-enabled appliances collect and store a lot of personal data, such as user behavior, preferences, habits, and biometrics. This data can be vulnerable to hacking, theft, or misuse by third parties, such as manufacturers, advertisers, or hackers. Users may not have full control over how their data is used, shared, or protected, and may not be aware of the potential risks or benefits of sharing their data. Privacy policies and regulations may not be clear, consistent, or adequate to safeguard user rights and interests.
Dependency on internet connectivity. AI-enabled appliances rely on internet connectivity to access cloud-based services, such as voice assistants, content recommendations, or remote control. However, internet connectivity may not be always available, reliable, or secure, especially in rural or remote areas. This can affect the functionality and performance of the appliances, and cause inconvenience or frustration for the users. Moreover, internet connectivity may also increase the exposure of the appliances to cyberattacks or malware.
Cost of the appliances. AI-enabled appliances are generally more expensive than conventional appliances, due to the additional hardware and software components, such as sensors, cameras, microphones, speakers, processors, or memory. The cost of the appliances may also include subscription fees or maintenance charges for the cloud-based services or updates. Users may not be able to afford or justify the cost of the appliances, especially if they do not perceive a significant improvement in the quality or convenience of the services.
Energy consumption. AI may facilitate reduced energy consumption by the end-users of AI-enabled products, but AI itself is energy-intensive.
In an October 2023 article in Scientific American, “The AI Boom Could Use a Shocking Amount of Electricity,” author Lauren Leffer writes, “Every online interaction relies on a scaffolding of information stored in remote servers—and those machines, stacked together in data centers worldwide, require a lot of energy.” Noting the world’s AI boom and citing recent research published in the peer-reviewed journal, Joule, Leffer continues, “the current trends in AI capacity and adoption are set to lead to NVIDIA shipping 1.5 million AI server units per year by 2027. These 1.5 million servers, running at full capacity, would consume at least 85.4 terawatt-hours of electricity annually—more than what many small countries use in a year.”
Obsolescence. As noted above, AI is a rapidly evolving field. While home appliances are meant to be long-lasting, when it comes to AI in appliances there is concern that these products or their AI features may be especially prone to becoming outdated as existing technology is rapidly replaced by the latest innovations. Manufacturers, like Samsung, are working to create appliances that are able to withstand this fast-paced change.
Future trends
From appliances to home ecosystems
With Samsung leading the way, the future of AI in home appliances seems to be a trend away from discrete AI-enhanced home appliances and toward comprehensive, integrated, intelligent home ecosystems.
For example, Samsung’s Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™ not only suggests recipes based on available food items and dietary preferences, using the Samsung Food app it also communicates those recipes directly to the Samsung Anyplace Induction range’s 7-inch display so that users can easily follow along while cooking.
Though just a glimmer of what is possible, AI-enabled ecosystems such as this would seamlessly integrate communication among various smart devices in the home.
Trustworthy technology
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States Department of Commerce, there are seven “essential building blocks of AI trustworthiness.” These include:
Validity and Reliability. The AI system should produce consistent and accurate results.
Safety. The AI system should not pose any harm to the user or the environment.
Security and Resiliency. The AI system should be able to resist and recover from various types of attacks.
Accountability and Transparency. The AI system should be accountable for its actions, and its decision-making process should be transparent.
Explainability and Interpretability. The AI system should be able to explain and justify its decisions in a way that can be understood by humans.
Privacy. The AI system should respect the privacy of the user and protect their data.
Fairness with Mitigation of Harmful Bias. The AI system should treat all users fairly and not discriminate against any group of users.
Like AI-enabled appliances, the complex task of developing and evaluating trustworthy AI is in its infancy. Nonetheless, industries are paying attention to designing, applying, and embedding ethical principles in emerging high-tech products, including home appliances.
Addressing AI energy consumption
When it comes to risks associated with AI, lack of transparency and discrimination bias are top concerns, but increasingly so too is sustainability.
While Samsung’s “Core Tech” value “AI-Powered” (one of four) is certainly guiding the direction of the company’s product development so too is its “Core Tech” value “Durable & Sustainable.”
As reported in a September 2023 Times of India interview with Samsung’s Yoo Mi-young who heads Samsung’s digital appliance division software development team, Samsung is developing a chipset aimed at reducing the energy consumption involved in processing the huge amounts of data associated with smart home devices.
This chipset is designed to limit the energy consumption of AI-enabled home appliances to less than 0.1 watt for every 24 hours of operation.
Conclusion
The integration of AI into home appliances is a testament to human ingenuity, turning the commonplace into the extraordinary.
It’s not just about gadgets doing our bidding, but about them learning, adapting, and making our lives easier.
Certainly, there are legitimate and important hurdles to overcome, but the promise is immense and the possibilities are only just beginning to be recognized.
As we stand on the brink of this new era of AI-enabled home appliances, one thing is clear: our homes are no longer just a place to live, but a place that lives with us.
K. ("Kristen") Powell is a technical writer and ghost writer for a firm that represents advanced degree STEM professionals, many of whom work on the cutting edge of AI and robotics. While fascinated by the research and the high-tech innovations she learns about through her professional life, in her personal life Kristen seeks simplicity and a welcoming and uncluttered home.