Samsung Electronics Partners with Seoul National University to Develop Core Technologies for Next-Generation Home Appliance Components

Agreement on Establishing the 'Mirae Gajeon Driving Technology Center'

Vice President Lee Gisu of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Division (left) and Dean Lee Byungho of Seoul National University College of Engineering are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the "Future Home Appliance Drive Technology Center" at the Seoul National University Power Research Institute on the 9th.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Samsung Electronics is collaborating with Seoul National University to develop core component technologies for next-generation home appliances.

On the 10th, Samsung Electronics announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Seoul National University the previous day at the Power Research Institute of Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, to establish the "Future Home Appliance Drive Technology Center."

According to the agreement, Samsung Electronics and Seoul National University will form a research team composed of talents from various fields such as electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials engineering, and jointly develop next-generation technologies applied to core components?compressors and motors?that determine the performance of home appliances. The main research tasks include securing detailed technologies for ▲energy efficiency improvement ▲low vibration and low noise implementation ▲durability enhancement of compressors and motors.

Since compressors account for about 70-80% of the total energy consumption in Samsung Electronics refrigerators and air conditioners, and motors account for about 50% in washing machines, fundamental technologies related to these core components are crucial for developing energy-efficient products.

Starting with the 2021 model year, Samsung Electronics has been operating a "Lifetime Warranty" service that provides free repair or replacement without time limits if the digital inverter compressors or motors fail. Through this industry-academia collaboration, Samsung plans to further enhance the quality of core components and deliver differentiated value to consumers.

Lee Ki-soo, Vice President of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, said, "The Future Home Appliance Drive Technology Center, created through the joint efforts of Samsung Electronics and Seoul National University, will play a pivotal role in innovating home appliances in the future," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the research outcomes contribute to improving consumers' quality of life."

Lee Byung-ho, Dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University, emphasized, "We expect this agreement to serve as a foundation for discovering core technologies needed for future home appliances and nurturing related talents," and added, "We will closely cooperate to develop innovative technologies that can transform home appliances in line with the carbon-neutral era."