Samsung 837 – Connected Living Experience
Kentech-U partnered with RED Interactive and Samsung to create a fully immersive Connected Living experience, showcasing Samsung’s latest smart home products in an interactive, multi-device environment.
The Client
Samsung’s flagship 837 location in New York City hosts a Connected Living visitor experience, highlighting Samsung’s phones, tablets, TVs, refrigerators, wearables, and SmartThings-enabled devices. RED Interactive led the creative vision, while Kentech-U executed the technical implementation, including Android integrations, IoT, and multi-device orchestration.
The Goal
The objective was to create a simulated smart apartment that demonstrates the power of IoT and connected devices in a fun, engaging, and personalized way. Visitors would navigate four rooms (living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining room), interact with devices, and experience curated sequences triggered via Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 kiosks. The challenge: integrate multiple devices and ecosystems in a synchronized, reliable, and repeatable experience.
Plan & Process
Kentech-U collaborated with RED to develop a strategic technical vision:
• Conducted discovery sessions to determine the optimal orchestration approach (timed sequences vs. persona-based triggers)
• Developed server-side solutions using Node.js and SmartThings Graph API to control 50+ IoT devices via HTTP and WebSockets
• Built Android and Tizen applications with shared logic and room-specific functionality using Gradle build flavors
• Created JSON “scripts” to coordinate device timing, media playback, and interactive content triggers
• Implemented agile sprints with rigorous QA and code reviews to ensure reliability under heavy daily visitor use
Key technologies included:
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy S9+
• Tizen TVs and Family Hub refrigerators
• Philips Hue bulbs, Lutron shades, AMG wireless speakers
• Gear Sport watches
The Results
The Connected Living experience launched in August 2018 at Samsung 837, delivering a seamless, interactive, and personalized experience for thousands of visitors. The experience:
• Orchestrated multi-room, multi-device interactions
• Demonstrated IoT capabilities and product integration
• Enabled personalized experiences based on visitor personas
In 2019, the experience expanded to five additional cities: Austin, Miami, San Francisco, Indianapolis, and Washington, D.C. The project’s frameworks and lessons continue to inform Samsung’s connected experience strategy worldwide.
