IoT needs openness and industry collaboration to succeed: Samsung CEO

Samsung Electronics president and CEO, BK Yoon, today delivered the opening keynote speech at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), calling for greater openness and collaboration across industries to unlock the infinite possibilities of the Internet of Things (IoT).

“The Internet of Things has the potential to transform our society, economy and how we live our lives,” said Yoon. “It is our job to pull together — as an industry, and across different sectors — to make true on the promise of the Internet of Things.”

Yoon also emphasized that IoT must center on people and fit into their lifestyles, adding, “The Internet of Things is not about ‘things.’ Instead, it is about people. Each person is at the center of their own technology universe, and the IoT universe will constantly adapt and change shape as people move through their world.”

Yoon announced a timetable for making Samsung technology IoT-enabled. By 2017, all Samsung televisions will be IoT devices, and in five years all Samsung hardware will be IoT-ready, further accelerating the expansion of IoT devices available in the market.

He also emphasized the importance of developers in building IoT and announced that Samsung will invest more than USD 100 million in its developer community in 2015.

The company is also working on chips, such as the embedded package on package (ePOP) and the Bio-Processor, which are energy-efficient and compact enough to go into a wide range of devices, especially wearables and mobile devices.

“Expanding the devices in the IoT ecosystem and the components that power them is the first step in fulfilling the promise of the Internet of Things,” said Yoon. “Samsung already has a broad range of IoT devices. Last year, Samsung delivered more than 665 million products, and this number is set to increase. We have already begun to unlock the value hidden in connected devices and all the everyday objects around us.”

In addition to IoT devices and components, Yoon emphasized the importance of openness in bringing IoT to life. Joining him on stage, SmartThings CEO Alex Hawkinson underscored Samsung’s vision for an open infrastructure.

“For the Internet of Things to be a success, it has to be open,” said Hawkinson. “Any device, from any platform, must be able to connect and communicate with one another. We’ve worked hard to accomplish this, and are committed to putting users first, giving them the most choice and freedom possible. The SmartThings ecosystem is now compatible with more devices than any other platform.”

Yoon announced that Samsung would invest more than USD 100 million to support its developer community in 2015 by strengthening its accelerator programs and further expanding its international developer events.