Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just about robots and computing: the technology is making its way to everyday products used in the home, including in your laundry room with washer dryer combos. AI technology enhances the functionality, efficiency, and user experience in all-in-one washer and dryer combination machines. There are many reasons to consider one of these machines to replace your old washer and dryer. The integration of AI technology is one you might have overlooked.
The benefits of AI in all-in-one washer dryer combos
One of the many types of AI appliances that can help in your day to day life are AI in washer dryer combos. They can help make laundry days quicker, more convenient, and more economical. They can help you save energy, resources like water and detergent, and time.
The transformative impact of AI is thanks to its primary purpose: to intelligently sense, detect, and learn your habits. This can include something as simple as detecting what clothing or linens are inside and even how soiled they are, then adjust the wash accordingly. Every manufacturer has unique features and functions in their AI appliances. But they all have the same goal: to leverage AI to benefit the homeowner.
What makes AI integral to modern washer dryers?
Through AI technology, washer dryer combos offer improved performance.
Technological advancements
AI washer dryer combos contain sensors that ensure you’re only using as much water as needed, at the temperature that’s needed. This is based on sensing how soiled the clothing is, how big the load is, and what’s inside. For drying, they can also sense when clothing is sufficiently dry. Some models dry at a lower heat for longer to afford a ventless design.
The LG 5.7 cubic-foot high efficiency electric washer and dryer combo uses LG’s Inverter Heat Pump for drying, making it a ventless solution. Samsung’s larger 6.1 cubic-foot waster and heat pump dryer combo is a ventless model as well that plugs into a standard 120V outlet. GE’s 5.5 cubic-foot UltraFast electric washer and dryer combo is also ventless. The design, says GE, results in 50 percent more energy-efficient drying. One of many advantages with heat pump technology versus condenser technology is that both maintenance and installation is easier.
Efficiency and convenience
In leveraging AI to help you save water, AI washers and dryers also help save energy. The machine won’t run longer than it needs to, to deliver a wonderfully clean load of laundry. With a machine like the aforementioned LG model, you can wash and dry a load in just two hours. It also purportedly uses up to 60 percent less energy. GE’s UltraFast model can also complete a load, from wash to dry, in two hours. Samsung’s Bespoke model is even faster, able to complete a load in just 98 minutes.
Key features of AI-enhanced washer dryer combos
AI-enhanced washer dryer combos have key features that help simplify and automate the process, too.
Smart functions
Smart functions might include auto-dosing for detergent. Add enough detergent for dozens of loads and the machine will dispense as needed. You only need to refill once the supply is running low. With LG’s machine, you can do up to 31 loads with the easy fill detergent dispenser. GE’s Adaptive SmartDispense technology dispenser can hold detergent for up to 32 loads. Samsung’s larger Bespoke model can hold enough detergent for up to 47 loads or, if used with fabric softener, it accommodates up to 25 loads of detergent and up to 34 loads of fabric softener.
Many machines also have programmable cycles through companion mobile apps. The apps allow you to keep an eye on load status so you know when the wash is about to finish. With some, you can initiate a dry cycle if you know you won’t be back home in time to hang clothing to air dry.
Moisture sensors, meanwhile, ensure precise drying. This also saves energy since the dryer isn’t running longer than it should. It can also help preserve the integrity of your clothing to avoid shrinkage.
Enhanced user experience
From the on-screen touch or dial controls (or a combination of both) to Wi-Fi connectivity, these machines offer an enhanced user experience. Models like Samsung’s Bespoke machine have intuitive touch panels right on the machines. Its washer dryer combo has a 7-inch AI Hub LCD for quick and easy access to cycles and settings.
Many machines, as noted, also work with mobile apps. Use these so you don’t have to run over to the machine to see how much time is left. These apps afford access to remote diagnostics and troubleshooting tips too. They’re also a portal for firmware updates to keep the machine up-to-date with the latest and greatest technology.
Real-life benefits of using AI in laundry appliances
A major benefit with AI technology in washer dryer combos is the real-life benefits that are personalized to each use case and family.
Personalized washing
The way that AI technology adjusts wash cycles can be catered to you, especially as the machine learns over time. You might need a thorough wash for your child’s baseball uniform that’s covered in dirt every Friday night. But when it comes to your mildly sweaty running clothes or nightwear, a light wash will suffice. This will help preserve your clothing, taking good care of especially delicate or frequently washed fabrics.
Time and resource management
Along with only using as much water, heat, and power as necessary, AI washer dryer combos help with time and resource management in other ways. Everyone is busy nowadays, and laundry is literally a chore. Being able to get a load done more quickly is appreciated. This is especially for families who do multiple loads weekly. Having the clothing switch automatically from wash to dry in the same drum without you lifting a finger is a massive benefit.
Imagine throwing a load in before you head out for the day. Come back home and there’s a freshly laundered, washed, and dried load waiting for you to fold and put away. I’ll bet you have, at one point or another, had to re-wash a load because you forgot it in the washing machine overnight, right? These machines solve that problem instantly—no more wet clothes sitting for hours just because you got sidetracked.
AI for better fabric care
With AI technology like Samsung’s Opti Wash & Dry, you can ensure better care of your fabrics through features like custom settings. AI technology can analyze what types of fabric you have placed inside. It then determines the best wash cycle so you don’t have to worry about it. This protects delicate items that could be prone to not only shrinking but also becoming misshapen when washed with a more rigorous cycle or higher temperature. This also helps preserve the quality of your clothing by being gentle on fabrics that could discolour, rip, tear, fray, or pill.
Energy and water efficiency through AI
AI optimizes energy and water consumption, which contributes to environmental sustainability. The machine won’t fill the tub, for example, when you’re only doing a half-load of laundry. You don’t have to tell it: it just knows. The adjustment in the cycle type also ensures less energy is used to heat water for a load that should be washed in cold, for example. Or it won’t run a dry cycle for the entire time when clothing is already sufficiently dry.
Customizable washing and drying cycles
Many cities have on- and off-peak times for using electricity. Families often try to plan cleaning around these to help reduce bills. You probably wait to run your dishwasher at night during off-peak hours, for example. It’s not so easy with laundry, which you need to do when it needs to get done. But it can be possible with AI-enabled washer dryer combo machines.
Schedule both a wash and an automatic dry cycle to run overnight so clothing is ready to be removed and folded in the morning. What’s more, AI learns over time about your usual wash cycles and patterns. It also uses your feedback to help optimize washes and dries in the future. This makes the process effortless.
Integration with smart home systems
Yes, large appliances are part of the smart home now, too. AI washer dryer combos can integrate with your broader home automation system to provide a seamless experience. Use the same app you use to control your TV, for example, to check on the status of a wash and dry. Even get updates on the status of your wash on a compatible smartwatch, smart display, even a TV itself.
App and voice control
With an app like LG’s ThinQ, you can review energy monitoring of the appliance, see a history of the cycles you have used, get updates when the tub should be cleaned, set favourite cleaning cycles, and even run smart diagnosis. GE’s SmartHQ app similarly provides remote cycle monitoring along with the option to select detergents and download specialty cycles.
With some smart washers and dryers, like select GE Profile models, you can connect them to nearby smart speakers or use the mobile app to control them by voice.
AI enhanced the laundry experience
Doing laundry is still a chore that no one really looks forward to doing. But it has to get done. It no longer needs to be the same mundane, time-consuming chore it used to be, though. With AI washers and dryers, including washer dryer combos, you can get loads done quickly and efficiently. Most important, AI technology helps make the process as effortless and automated as possible. Your clothes will be taken care of, loads done when it suits you, and you can save energy in the process. While AI washer dryer combos can’t fold and put away the clothes for you just yet, that’s essentially all that you’ll have to think about thanks to AI.
Explore a wide selection of washer dryer combos with AI technology at Best Buy online, and transform the way you do laundry.
