Last month, Samsung d’light, located within the Samsung Electronics Building in Gangnam, reopened its doors to give tech nerds and gadget geeks an intimate peek into the future.
Founded in December 2008 to showcase the latest in Samsung’s consumer electronics, Samsung d’light recently underwent a three-month transformation from a showroom to something that more closely resembles a museum. However, unlike most museums, which generally paint a picture of the past, Samsung d’light allows visitors to imagine what the world might be like in the next decade or two.
Samsung d’light, which takes its name from “digital” and “light,” aims to be a “guiding light to the digital world,” all the while functioning as a beacon to lead consumers to an entirely new way of life made possible by digital technology. But rather than simply showcasing how its products convey its vision, Samsung lets visitors experience how its devices and solutions are molding our future through a series of immersive activities.
A Time Traveling Expedition
The journey begins as visitors enter the exhibition doors and enter a spacious interior that at once exudes a futuristic vibe. After putting on a chip-enabled wristband that corresponds to their language—Korean, English or Chinese—visitors “sync” themselves with their photo and name to the intricate system that digitally guides them (along with docents, when available) through the first floor experience zone.
“Emotion,” the concept for the first segment of the interactive experience, consists of multiple stations that guests use to transform their photographs into colorful works of art via Samsung’s latest mobile devices.
Next is the “Sense” area, where visitors utilize gestures to interact with cutting-edge mirror displays. Finally, they harness the power of their “Intuition” and creativity to digitally construct a whimsical planet which is displayed across 16 curved TVs that circle overhead.
Guests complete their interactive experience in the “Imagination” room. Here, a display gathers information from their wristbands, and based on their choices made in the previous zones, determines what kind of “visionary” each guest is, such as “Peace Barista” or “Utopia Architect.” To this end, Samsung’s technologies look at the personalities and characteristics of guests to envision the future, much in the same way that Samsung aims to understand users’ needs to design its technology.
After sharing their results via the Samsung d’light homepage, guests can then make their way upstairs to get hands-on with Samsung’s high-tech solutions.
Envisioning Tomorrow, Today
Visitors make their way to the Home of the Future, which, at first glance, appears to be a typical modern apartment. That is, until visitors pick up the tablets stationed throughout each room, which when maneuvered around, give a 360-degree view of the same home, but actively being utilized by a family. Through augmented reality, visitors can get a glimpse at how the Internet of Things communicates between smart devices like the refrigerator, the television and even the bathroom mirror, to make life more convenient and connected.
But, as guests soon learn, Samsung’s products are also changing other industries, too. In an adjacent area that resembles a classroom, tablets have replaced textbooks and a monitor you can write on is the new blackboard. Nearby, in a retail setting, guests see how customers can build a sandwich by tapping their favorite ingredients on a screen or pay with their mobile phones. Even healthcare, it seems, is enhanced through wearable devices and sensors that track one’s movement, heart rate and sleep patterns to better diagnose and prevent potential health issues.
By the end of the tour, which takes around 40 minutes, it becomes clear that these technologies, which not long ago seemed to only be possible in science fiction blockbusters, are now a reality and are quickly becoming integrated into so many aspects of our lives.
This is reiterated with the massive “My Life” video screen and displays of recently released products that guests pass by as they exit on the first floor, an area that will also function as a space for special events.
Those looking to take home a bit of the future can head to the tax-free d’light shop in the basement, which also happens to be the largest Samsung mobile shop in all of South Korea. Here, visitors can browse a wide array of products and accessories, or consult sales assistants with any questions they may have. The newly renovated and highly interactive Samsung d’light is sure to capture the imaginations of all visitors, whether tech geek or elementary school student, by showcasing the endless possibilities that will no doubt transform and enhance their lives tomorrow, today.
More Information
Address: 11, Seocho-daero 74-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul [서울특별시 서초구 서초대로74길 11 (서초동)]
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
Website: Click Here
How to Get There: Take the Seoul subway to Gangnam Station (Line 2 or SinBundang Line), Exit 8.
Words by Mimsie Ladner of Seoul Searching. Content may not be reproduced unless authorized.
