Samsung unveils ADT-monitored DIY home security, automation system

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. and BOCA RATON, Fla.—Samsung and ADT together announced a new professionally monitored, self-installed life safety solution powered by the Samsung SmartThings platform.

“Our partnership with ADT blends Samsung's industry-leading SmartThings ecosystem with ADT's legacy of trusted professional monitoring to deliver a full-fledged DIY home security solution unlike any other offering on the market,” Bill Lee, vice president, smart home product marketing, Samsung Electronics America, told Security Systems News in an email interview. “Samsung SmartThings is compatible with hundreds of smart home devices—many already found in homes across the country—so collaborating with the top home security company expands our ability to give consumers the flexibility and choice that they need to create a secure, smart home.”

Consisting of a Home Security Starter Kit and Home Safety Expansion Pack, the new solution from Samsung and ADT gives consumers the ability to create a safe and secure home and grow their connected home ecosystem as their needs evolve—all backed by ADT professional monitoring with no long-term contract.

Lee pointed out in the press release that the collaboration with ADT “enables us to connect our Samsung SmartThings ecosystem to the most trusted name in life safety,” noting that home security and safety are top reasons why consumers adopt smart home technology.

“We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, and with this launch, we're truly redefining the home security industry,” Jay Darfler, senior vice president, ADT Emerging Markets, said in the announcement. “By partnering with Samsung SmartThings, we're able to expand our professional monitoring services to even more customers looking for the smartest and safest DIY home security solution on the market.”

The basis for the new DIY system is the Home Security Starter Kit, which includes the security hub, two door and window detectors, and a motion detector. The system size can be expanded with additional sensors as needed, including fire, carbon monoxide and water detection with the addition of the Home Safety Expansion Pack. The ADT Security Hub touchscreen panel also works as a SmartThings Hub so users can control and monitor hundreds of third party smart devices, such as door locks and doorbells, thermostats, lightbulbs, for example—“making it easy to customize endless combinations for home devices to work together, without needing additional hardware,” the press release reads.

From the Android- and iOS-compatible SmartThings mobile app, consumers can manage these devices and sensors, set up routines, and receive alerts based on their preferences, as well as check on the security of their home.

ADT professional monitoring can back all of the security and life safety features, and consumers have the ability to sign up for or suspend ADT service on their app, at their convenience. No phone calls to ADT are necessary, nor are there any contracts or long-term commitments for the consumer.

“One of the top reasons our customers are interested in smart home is the ability to easily monitor and secure their homes, but their wants and needs can vary greatly,” Mary Ortizcazarin, vice president of Smart Home at Best Buy, said in the announcement. “The new Samsung SmartThings and ADT partnership gives them more flexibility than ever to control their homes how, when and where they want to.”