Samsung Electronics said on Monday it has applied Bixby, upgraded based on a large language model (LLM), to its AI home appliances. It also supports an "Open Q&A" function combined with the generative AI service Perplexity. The feature is applied to 2026 Family Hub models and new products including air conditioners, robot vacuum cleaners, water purifiers and new washing appliances equipped with a 7-inch screen.

The newly applied Bixby analyses information in users' speech and the context of earlier conversations to infer and judge the situation based on the LLM. It provides responses that match users' intent without requiring specific function names or fixed commands.

For example, when a user says, "I put in beef and mackerel, so change the mode," the refrigerator automatically sets a "meat/fish mode". When a user says, "I'm going to drink whisky, so make some ice," the whisky ball ice function runs. If a user tells the air conditioner, "Turn it on so no wind comes out," "wind-free" cooling starts, and if a user tells the robot vacuum cleaner, "Clean quietly," "low-noise mode" operates. If a user tells the washing machine, "I'm going to wash jeans, so set the right course," the "denim course" is automatically selected.

Inter-device commands among appliances are also possible. If a user sets, "When the laundry is finished, clean the floor," the robot vacuum cleaner automatically operates after the wash is completed. Users can also set "automation routines" that support this type of condition-based control. In one command such as, "If it rains, dehumidify with the air conditioner," automatic dehumidification is set when it rains according to conditions including a specific time, day of the week and weather.

"Device Q&A", which guides appliance usage and troubleshooting, has also been upgraded. It provides voice answers when users ask how to use a device, and appliances equipped with a screen also provide video guides. It can provide voice guidance and video at the same time for questions such as, "Tell me how to reset the robot vacuum cleaner" and "How do I clean the washing machine heat exchanger?", allowing users to check without separate internet searches or contacting customer service.

It also newly supports "Open Q&A" that combines Bixby with Perplexity. When users freely ask AI home appliances questions, it provides answers even to everyday questions unrelated to appliance functions. It can respond to prompts such as, "Tell me places that are good for a spring outing with my family," "Recommend seasonal spring foods," and "Tell me how to store onions for a long time."

Kim Yong-jae (김용재), a vice president at Samsung Electronics' DA division, said, "Samsung Electronics' Bixby is continuing to evolve so users can naturally converse and conveniently use each product." He said, "We will further advance Bixby and software functions so Samsung's AI home appliances can serve as companions in the home."