Samsung gets a pair of unlikely spokespersons for its Smart Home automation platform, currently on show at IFA 2014-- David Hasselhoff and 1982 Pontiac Trans Am KITT, the stars of Knight Rider.
A just released video has the "smart" car getting a bit jealous of the Hoff's Samsung-powered home automation, going as far as to interrupt the filming of an advert for the system. Because, let's face it, nothing says "smart home" like classic 80s TV right?
As for actual home automation, IFA 2014 sees the platform getting safety services, energy management and location awareness functionality. Users can monitor IP cameras and digital door locks throughout the Smart Home smartphone app, as well as check energy consumptions and have the system switch appliances on or off depending on the homeowner's location.
A further addition is voice control-- users can activate air conditioners, robot vacuum cleaners and Smart LED lighting via the S Voice service on Galaxy smartphones and Gear smartwatches.
On the developer side later this year Samsung will launch the Smart Home SDK for third parties wanting to make Smart Home-compatible hardware devices. Also to be opened for developers sometime in the future is recent purchase SmartThings.
"We plan to build a truly open smart home ecosystem by actively incorporating a variety of services and platforms in the cloud, as well as by opening Samsung’s platform to developers,” the company says. “The Samsung Smart Home will continue to evolve through the development of new services to enable our customers to enjoy their lives in truly smart ways.”
More Smart Home details will be available following the Samsung Developer Conference on November 2014.
