ABB and Samsung Electronics will collaborate in a global partnership to provide jointly developed technologies for energy savings, energy management and the smart Internet of Things (IoT) connection of both residential and commercial buildings.

Buildings generate almost 40% of annual global CO2 emissions, and the partnership between the two companies will create a platform to build a long-term relationship for innovation on smart technology, smart control, and smart devices.

The collaboration will enable Samsung and ABB to expand customer access to home automation technologies and better device management while facilitating electricity load shifting. Smart homes use connected devices and appliances integrated through a centralised system to save money, time and energy.

By connecting the Samsung SmartThings application and ABB home automation solutions, for example, residents will be able to use their personal devices to monitor and manage a full spectrum of white goods, as well as gas and smoke sensors, energy, security and comfort systems from a single application. Proactively managing appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines to operate off-peak, for example, assures grid optimisation and lower energy costs.

“We imagine a future where our customers can benefit from significant carbon and energy savings by further improving access to fully integrated and holistic, smart building technology,” ABB Smart Buildings president Mike Mustapha says.

“Partnering with a major technology innovation leader like Samsung Electronics further supports ABB’s vision and offering to connect whole buildings with open and agnostic solutions, and to deliver insights on total energy consumption, including elements such as electric vehicle (EV) charging. This not only minimises the carbon footprint from the built environment but delivers a seamless and engaging user experience.”

In parallel to the home automation solutions, the two companies intend to expand collaboration between the Samsung Electronics heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) products and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) room control system and the ABB HVAC control system for commercial buildings and multi-dwelling developments.

“The simplicity of just two vendors coming together in this way adds ease to smart buildings projects for construction companies and property developers too,” Samsung Electronics head of IoT business Chanwoo Park says.

“For retrofitting existing buildings, or new sites, with a single source for solutions, they can be assured that products will integrate, and work seamlessly together. It also enhances the after-sales experience because there is just one platform for the whole system.”