On March 21, 2024,SamsungElectronicsannounced the launchof its 3D Map View feature that has the ability to convert real floor plans into virtual images. This gives users a bird’s eye view of their home and the ability to easily manage all their connected smart devices more efficiently.
This AI-based feature, which works via the company’sSmartThings app, is a significant step towards simplifying smart home management and creating more intuitive user experiences at home (and soon, according to Samsung, in the workplace, too).
Samsung’s 3D Map View
The plethora of apps we have to control all the different devices within a smart home can sometimes prove overwhelming, but this innovation from Samsung provides an all-in-one space for device operation, management, and monitoring.
The 3D Map View feature enables users to understand their homes’ spatial conditions better, offering enhanced filter functions for more efficient device monitoring and control. Originally launched in Korea and the United States, and then showcased atCES 2024, Samsung’s 3D Map View is now accessible and available globally in all countries with SmartThings access.
Integration with SmartThings App
Integrated into the SmartThings app, 3D Map View allows users to keep an eye on their entire home from anywhere—even when they’re not at home. They can monitor and adjust settings on compatible devices and appliances, such as lighting and temperature, and can even check for things like energy consumption and air quality.
The availability of Map View extends across various platforms, including Android and iOS mobile devices, and TVs released after 2024. It will also soon be accessible through additional hubs like Family Hub refrigerators for models released from 2021 onwards.
AI-Based Technology
A significant aspect of this development is itsreliance on AI, particularly the utilization of AI characters that were also showcased at CES 2024, which are aimed at providing a more customized and user-friendly experience.
As a significant upgrade from the original version—a 2D model that worked only when a floor plan was provided—the new 3D Map View utilizes Spatial AI in Samsung devices via Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, which use laser light to detect objects in 3D, to precisely map a home’s layout.
The Future of Samsung’s 3D Map View
As well as integrating AI characters into the service by the end of the year, Samsung plans to expand the functionality of Map View beyond homes to apartments and office spaces, collaborating with construction companies for implementation. The company envisions creating smarter environments for customers worldwide, with plans for optimized user experiences on large screens and features like Quick Control for easy access to key functions.
Samsung’s launch of the 3D Map View feature based on SmartThings and AI represents a significant advancement in smart home technology, benefiting consumers, industry professionals, researchers, developers, and companies alike by offering enhanced convenience, fostering innovation, and driving progress in the field of home automation.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Najmi Arif
