Samsung acquires home automation specialist SmartThings

Samsung this week acquired SmartThings, a company that focuses on the home automation market. The company will continue to operate independently under the wings of the electronics giant, it said.

SmartThings is now part of Samsung’s Open Innovation Center group, where it continues to work on home automation. For example, the company has developed motion sensors and cameras that can be set and read remotely via a smartphone or tablet. Electronic locks and lighting can also be automated using SmartThings hardware.

According to SmartThings, the acquisition by Samsung is a logical step for the company. “While we will continue to operate independently within Samsung, the partnership with Samsung will enable us to support all major smartphone vendors, devices and applications, as well as expand the number of developers and expand the tools and programs they depend on,” it said. read in the blog post.

There were already rumors about the takeover in July. Samsung would like to get more grip on the fast-growing home automation market with the acquisition. As far as we know, it is not clear what the Koreans have put on the table for SmartThings, but TechCrunch in particular suggests that the amount is about $ 200 million, converted about 147 million euros.

SmartThings started as a Kickstarter project two years ago. The company then started selling kits that allow devices to be connected to the Internet. The most popular package, which costs $330, includes sensors, which can be controlled with an Android or iPhone app.