Internet of Things Needs Openness Says Samsung’s CEO at CES 2016

The Internet of Things has the potential to transform our society says BK Yoon, CEO, Samsung Electronics.

Boo-Keun Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung consumer electronics, speaks during his keynote at the International Consumer Electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 5, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, 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).

<p> The Internet of Things has the potential to transform our society, economy and how we live our lives. 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.</p>

<b>BK Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics</b>

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.”

As part of Samsung’s commitment to realizing the IoT era, 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.

Creating an Open Ecosystem

A robotic dog named CHiP by WowWee, described as being able to learn tricks from its owner, is demonstrated at the opening event at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas January 4, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

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

<p>For the Internet of Things to be a success, it has to be open. 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.</p>

<b>Alex Hawkinson, CEO, SmartThings</b>

Supporting the Developer Community

As part of this commitment, Yoon announced that Samsung would invest more than $100 million to support its developer community in 2016 by strengthening its accelerator programs and further expanding its international developer events.

Collaborating Across Industries

A smartphone receives real-time information on air quality from an Airmega air purifier from Coway during CES Unveiled, a preview event of the 2016 International CES trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada January 4, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

The company believes that IoT will have far-reaching impact, much more so than the consumer electronics industry has so far, as it will touch every aspect of people’s lives and revolutionise every industry.

<p> I know in my heart that neither one single company nor one industry alone can deliver the benefits of the Internet of Things. To create this IoT universe, we have to see the potential of the Internet of Things across all kinds of industries. Only if we work together can we improve people’s lives.</p>

<b>BK Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics</b>

For IoT to succeed, companies across all industries will have to collaborate to build the necessary infrastructure and develop the many tailored IoT services that can meet the needs of consumers.