Samsung partners with RACV on smart home products

Heather McIlvaine

6th Dec 2018

As more everyday household items become connected to the internet, consumers increasingly face an annoying problem: how to manage them all without cluttering up their smartphone with dozens of redundant apps?

This question has seen the likes of Amazon and Google integrating their smart devices with a variety of connected products, regardless of manufacturer, from Philips (lights) to Ring (doorbells).

Along these lines, Samsung Electronics Australia and RACV on Wednesday launched a pop-up in Melbourne to show how third-party smart products can be used with Samsung’s SmartThings Wi-Fi Hub and platform.

The SmartThings platform allows customers to connect compatible devices to the SmartThings Hub, and then manage them all through the SmartThings app.

“Smart technology should empower people and provide them with the tools to help manage their everyday life in the best way possible. SmartThings is one way that we are seeking to provide a seamless and easy smart home experience that supports their unique lifestyle,” Samsung’s head of category management for IT and mobile, Eric Chou, said.

In conjunction with the pop-up, Samsung has launched its Smart Home Starter Kit, which includes a SmartThings Wi-Fi Hub, and several sensors (motion, temperature, orientation and door/window sensors).

The starter kit is only available from RACV and currently only available to Victorian residents via installation.

“We are delighted to partner with Samsung to launch the SmartThings Starter Kit, as it gives us the opportunity to provide our members with a unique platform to help make their homes more efficient and their lives easier,” Nicole Brasz, RACV’s home executive general manager, said.

“Considering smart technology in Australia is growing substantially each year, RACV is committed to meeting the changing needs of our members in their homes.”