Samsung, Eve Systems Partner For An App-Based Monitoring System
Samsung announced on Dec. 4 that they would be partnering with Eve Systems to create a new home energy management system. Eve, owned by ABB and based in Munich, Germany, is a home automation firm founded in 2018. It specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based home automation.
Homeowners can use Samsung SmartThings to monitor their energy usage, giving them transparency to save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. Eve will supply a smart plug that tracks a device’s energy and sends the data to the SmartThings app. It works for Samsung and non-Samsung devices.
“The integration of Eve Energy into the SmartThings platform will provide users with a direct look into how they are using energy in their home, where energy can be cut down/saved, and ultimately makes it simpler to manage,” Mark Benson, head of SmartThings US, told The Business Download via email. “Built on Thread, Eve Energy connects directly to compatible SmartThings Matter hubs, working in users’ homes right out of the box.”
“In terms of transparency, Eve will make it easier than ever to monitor your entire home all in one place, taking the guesswork out of home energy management,” he continued.
Photo Courtesy Dan LeFebvre
Eve’s tracking system works with the Matter smart box, which records metrics through the cloud and sends them to the app. Matter boxes use Thread, the elite data metric collection software, without failure while being linked to the same Wi-Fi. A lead device connects with all others connected to the same router, which the Matter box then layers to ensure no network failure.
For example, you could have all the data sent from a non-Samsung coffee pot to your SmartThings app. It will tell you how much energy the coffee pot uses while suggesting ideas like putting timers on these devices so they shut themselves off.
“SmartThings has a vast ecosystem of hundreds of partners that include traditional smart home devices such as plugs, lights, and televisions in addition to appliances, EV chargers, and phones,” Benson explained.
“This holistic experience allows for greater insights and capabilities to be generated (e.g., using the phone for geofencing, using the TV to see your house via Map View, etc.).”
“Through collaboration with Eve, consumers will now be able to track energy consumption for everyday appliances and devices right through the SmartThings app, helping to reduce their carbon footprint and ultimately save money,” he continued. “The integration of Eve Systems sets SmartThings apart from competitors, transforming home energy management through advanced power monitoring.”
The Verge ranks Eve Energy as the best smart plug for energy monitoring. For many years, Eve was only compatible with Apple and iOS-supported devices. Apple Home used to be the only way to use Eve, but this deal will expand to Android-supported phones. Most Samsung phones run on Android.
“In a world where smart homes are becoming increasingly complex, our mission at SmartThings is to make it simple for users to manage their devices and reduce energy consumption,” Benson said in a press release.
Photo Courtesy Thread Group
The collaboration will also be a test of the power of Thread. Smart home tech producers like Eve, Nanoleaf, and Schlage use Thread as the protocol software. It was developed by tech giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung.
It allows homeowners to see all appliance energy consumption, and the Matter box is a key component of the system. It’s the only open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices.
Lighting, thermostats, locks, security systems, smoke alarms, dishwashers, and air quality can be linked to the cloud by Thread and Matter.
Homeowners only need a Matter controller, in this case, the SmartThings app. These systems allow homeowners to set up multiple “ecosystems” to create a Thread mesh that communicates with all devices connected to the local network.
“While tracking an exact amount of savings through the Eve Systems integration varies based on multiple factors, SmartThings’ Demand Response campaign, which allows New York and California residents to track their energy usage during peak demand periods, tends to save 2–
3% as a result of energy-conscious decisions,” Benson said. “Users that implement devices such as Eve tend to experience savings within this range.”
Eve is betting big on the compatibility of devices with Thread and Matter. With limited Thread and Matter-compatible devices, Eve’s leadership had to rethink their strategy. The deal with Samsung is the start of expansion to third-party tech companies. SmartThings had previously only been able to record Samsung-built products’ energy use, but that’s changing.
Samsung will include an AI Energy Mode for Samsung appliances to save power on things like laundry, defrost cycles, electricity bill estimates, and detect changes in room temperature. The company aims to expand AI Energy Mode’s compatibility with non-Samsung devices. This effort will save homeowners thousands on energy costs.
“This integration of the Eve Energy Plug into the SmartThings ecosystem is a major step toward that goal — empowering consumers with the data they need to make the most energy-efficient decisions,” Benson said in a statement.
