This Samsung washer dryer washes 18 kg of laundry and dries 11 kg.

The IFA was an opportunity to discover a whole fleet of Lilliputian washing machines designed by Metz and Roborock notably. At the other end of the spectrum, Samsung offers a gargantuan model capable of washing no less than 18 kg of laundry (twice as much as a large conventional washing machine) and drying 11 kg. Of course, given this XXL capacity, the Bespoke AI Laundry adopts a particular format since it measures more than 110 cm high, 70 cm wide and 87 cm deep: enough to accommodate the giant 150-litre drum.

But this unusual size is not the only advantage of the Bespoke AI Laundry. As its name suggests, this washer-dryer is boosted and has artificial intelligence and must therefore learn from the user's habits to offer them the most suitable settings. It should also gather information from other smart washing machines to improve its washing and drying performance. We are therefore promised a device capable of recognizing the type of laundry present in the drum, its weight and the level of dirtiness of the load (which is not so rare in the small world of washing machines) in order to optimize the water and electricity consumption of washing and drying. Moreover, to limit the energy needs of this last phase, Samsung has chosen heat pump technology which is much less greedy than the condensation system generally used in classic washer-dryers.

Still to simplify its use, Samsung has chosen a large 7-inch touch screen as its control panel. This interface called AI Home should become the control center of the smart and connected Samsung home. Deployed on many household appliances from the Korean, from the oven to the refrigerator, AI home should not only allow you to control the equipment on which it is installed, but also other compatible products thanks to the three-dimensional 3D Map View. Technically, it should be possible to program an oven stamped AI Home for example or to check the contents of a Bespoke Family Hub refrigerator. The opposite is true and, in fact, the user will be able to start a washing cycle via their refrigerator. Of course, you still need to have compatible appliances. Let's also point out that the large 7-inch screen can serve as an entertainment center: if you get bored in the laundry room, you can launch videos on YouTube, listen to your podcasts or music on Spotify… According to our contacts on site, it is even possible to answer a call with the Bespoke AI Laundry: however, it is difficult to imagine that the call will be sufficiently intelligible during a spin at maximum speed.

Needless to say, the Bespoke AI Laundry does not overlook connectivity? You can therefore pair your smartphone with it to set up a cycle remotely, to be alerted of the different important moments of the cycle, to monitor and manage electricity consumption as closely as possible.

In terms of equipment, apart from the heat pump, the Bespoke AI Laundry benefits from a direct drive motor that is more economical, quieter and more robust than belt motors. According to the technical sheet, the latter would be able to rotate the XXL drum at a maximum speed of 1200 rpm. An automatic distribution system for detergent and fabric softener is provided and, a small original feature of the Bespoke AI Laundry, the tanks are located under the drum.

The hatch near the screen allows you to access the filters to maintain them and remove textile fibers, but also to add additional fabric softener. Finally, the Bespoke AI Laundry introduces a new function for a washing machine, but very common in dishwashers: opening the door at the end of the cycle. This helps keep the laundry fresh at the end of the program by preventing the clothes from remaining locked up for too long.

The Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry washer dryer is due to be available next November. That may be a bit short to save the €3,499 it will cost when it comes out.