Shirt Course Washing and Drying in 36 Minutes, Fresh and Dry for Busy Dad's Commute
3 No's: No Dust, No Rust, No Residual Water
3 Yes's Protecting Time, Money, and Happiness
Jo Mo (35), an office worker living in Mapo-gu, Seoul, is very satisfied after recently purchasing a dryer. Until now, even when hanging laundry on the balcony, the cold weather prevented it from drying well, so he had no choice but to hang clothes all over the house. However, after buying the dryer, that is no longer necessary. Jo said, "Drying laundry in winter was always a chore. After purchasing the dryer, I no longer have to worry about that, which is very convenient."
As more consumers like Jo purchase dryers, the dryer market is growing every year. The domestic dryer market, which was around 1 million units in 2018, is expected by the industry to expand to 2 million units this year.
With the growth of the dryer market, related technologies are continuously advancing. In particular, recently introduced products equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) have been evaluated as making consumers' lives much more convenient.
Samsung Electronics recently launched the Grande Dryer AI, which is linked with the washing machine and features advanced AI functions that learn consumers' usage habits and patterns on their own and provide customized services. It is designed to help consumers minimize the burden of household chores and enjoy more leisure time.
◆Grande Dryer AI, linked with washing machine for automatic washing and drying settings= The Grande Dryer AI leads the dryer market with innovative AI functions controlled in conjunction with the washing machine.
When the Grande Dryer AI and Grande Washing Machine AI are linked and installed in series, 'all-in-one control' is possible, allowing operation from the washing machine control panel to the dryer. By applying AI course linkage through all-in-one control, selecting a specific washing course automatically sets the corresponding drying course.
A newly applied 'AI Habit Memory' function remembers the courses and options frequently used by the user and displays them in order on the control panel. This feature reduces the hassle of setting the course each time drying is done, making it convenient. The more the user uses it, the more it evolves, recommending courses optimized for the consumer's usage patterns.
The Grande Dryer AI's performance has also been greatly enhanced by equipping the largest capacity compressor and heat exchanger in Korea. The amount of refrigerant that can circulate at once has increased, and nine precise sensors quickly and accurately detect internal temperature and humidity, enabling ultra-fast drying.
Using the Grande Dryer AI reduces drying time by about 30% compared to previous dryers. According to the company, the shirt course takes only 36 minutes to wash and dry one shirt, so busy mornings preparing for work are no longer a concern.
Additionally, the maximum temperature inside the dryer drum does not exceed 60 degrees Celsius, reducing fabric damage. Rich air evenly spreads from the 360-degree air holes on the front of the dryer drum's rear panel, allowing even large amounts of laundry to be quickly dried thoroughly, simulating natural drying.
The Air Sterilization Plus (+) function manages harmful bacteria, house dust mites, and pollen that penetrate clothes. It sterilizes 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli from wet to dry laundry and completely eradicates house dust mites, allowing for safer use.
◆'3-No (無) Worry Drying' free from dust, rust, and residual water= During the drying process, the hot and humid air from the laundry meets cold air in the heat exchanger, condensing moisture. In this process, dust tends to accumulate in the heat exchanger. When accumulated dust meets moisture inside the dryer, it can cause a musty smell or reduce drying efficiency.
Samsung Grande Dryer AI has been well-received for its design that allows consumers to directly check and easily remove dust filtered in the heat exchanger. This fundamentally blocks hygiene issues such as odors and allergic diseases caused by bacteria that may occur if dust mixed with condensed water is left inside the appliance.
Additionally, the size of the dust-filtering filter has been increased to minimize dust accumulation in the heat exchanger and reduce cleaning frequency. The Grande Dryer AI further strengthens dust management by adding a detachable micro safety filter. When using the mesh material safety filter, the cleaning cycle for the heat exchanger extends to once every 300 uses, eliminating concerns about hygiene issues that may arise in the heat exchanger.
The internal care course of the Grande Dryer AI removes moisture that may remain not only in the drum but also inside the heat exchanger. In particular, the course operation time has been shortened to 57 minutes, allowing more frequent hygiene management of the dryer itself and safer use.
Furthermore, an anti-rust coating has been added to the heat exchanger connection to prevent the possibility of rust or corrosion. Samsung emphasizes that the Grande Dryer AI applies a perfectly safe design even in unseen areas, completing a hygiene drying system that cannot be imitated.
◆The only domestic energy grade 1= Samsung Grande Dryer AI is the only dryer in Korea to obtain the energy consumption efficiency grade 1 certification. Samsung Electronics achieved energy efficiency grade 1 by equipping the Grande Dryer AI with the largest capacity compressor and heat exchanger in Korea, receiving high scores in power consumption, drying time, standby power, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through accumulated eco-friendly technology.
The compressor and heat exchanger are key components of the dryer; the larger their capacity, the higher the drying efficiency and the lower the energy consumption. Also, with larger compressor and heat exchanger capacity, the amount of refrigerant circulating at once increases, and the air passage widens, reducing drying time.
The electricity cost per drying cycle is 95 won, saving about 20% compared to previous products. While increasing the size of key components, the Grande Dryer AI has a slimmer exterior, achieving the three goals of functionality, energy efficiency, and design.
◆Sales exceed 10,000 units within one month of launch= Thanks to its innovative features, Samsung Grande Dryer AI surpassed 10,000 units sold within one month of its launch on January 29. Samsung Electronics explained that its previous 16kg dryer took eight weeks to sell 10,000 units in the domestic market, so the Grande Dryer AI's sales pace is about twice as fast.
The reasons for strong sales include innovative AI functions, '3-No (無) Worry Drying,' and slim design. Samsung analyzed that the slim and stylish design and color attracted consumer response. The newly introduced calm beige-toned Greige color accounts for 30% of Grande Dryer AI sales, driving overall sales, according to Samsung.
Lee Dallae, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, said, "The Grande Dryer AI not only fulfills the fundamental functions consumers expect from a dryer but also applies AI-based customized services and a new sensory design, resulting in enthusiastic consumer responses. We will continue to introduce products that can innovate consumers' washing and drying experiences."
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