IFA Highlights 2025: How AI Is Powering the Future of the Connected Home

Listen to this article (experimental)

The Internationale Funkausstellung – known since 2025 as “Innovation for All (IFA)” – is one of the largest and most important technology and electronics trade fairs worldwide. From September 5 to 9, 2025, it once again opened its doors at the Berlin exhibition grounds, bringing together trade visitors and tech enthusiasts from all over the world under one roof. This year again, many connected household appliances were in the spotlight. And of course, the obligatory automatic refrigerator – a perennial favorite for over 30 years. And slowly, it seems to be becoming mainstream.

Artificial Intelligence, AI, is the new buzzword of the electronics industry. Actually, of almost every industry right now. So it comes as no surprise that many new gadgets with AI features were promoted at IFA 2025. In the household appliance sector, companies like LG or Samsung stood out with “AI-powered” devices ranging from washing machines to refrigerators.

Ah yes, the smart fridge. Since around 1998, it has been a fixture at every halfway serious tech event. But these devices have still not really broken through to the mass market. Or does anyone still remember the Electrolux screen-fridge from the year 2000? No? Perhaps those devices simply weren’t smart enough yet – or just too expensive.

Will this change now with the rapid progress in artificial intelligence?

For example, the smart LG refrigerators with “AI Fresh” function monitor door-opening habits over a period of three weeks and lower the internal temperature before peak usage, keeping food fresher for longer. The AI Saving Mode analyzes usage behavior and intelligently adjusts cooling performance during periods of low activity, saving energy.

At Samsung, devices equipped with “AI Vision” technology are said to recognize the contents of the refrigerator and then, for example, display recipe suggestions on the 9- or 21.5-inch external display (depending on the model). At the same time, the fridge’s screen serves as the control hub for the smart home and doubles as an entertainment element, such as for music streaming.

However, you still need to spend €2,000 or more on these appliances. So, they remain a feature for the high-end kitchen.

More IFA highlights at a glance

In the “Internet of Things” sector, IFA 2025 also showcased smart helpers – from robotic vacuum cleaners to all-round mopping solutions. In recent years, this segment has evolved significantly. Gone are the days of the “dumb” robotic discs that wandered aimlessly around rooms until they had, more badly than well, picked up the dust. Today’s cleaning aids can do much more: they move systematically through each room, vacuum, mop, and dry, deliver dirt to a collection station, and now, some can even climb stairs.

Here are some interesting IFA innovations:

• Roborock 4-in-1 Homewide Cleaning Combo: Combines dryer, robotic vacuum, and mop system – including water recycling, AI optimization, and app control. (Official Roborock IFA page; dedicated product page not yet available.)
• 3i Q10 Ultra: Extremely compact robotic vacuum with Matter support, DualRay navigation, and a multifunctional base for automatic emptying and mop maintenance.
• Dyson Spot+Scrub AI: A combination robot with vacuuming, mopping, lidar navigation, and AI prediction.
• Eufy MarsWalker: The robot that can climb stairs – a sign of things to come in household robotics. (The Verge; dedicated product page not yet available.)

Connected smart home devices & lighting

Smart home solutions at IFA 2025 appeared modern, elegant, and practical:

• Samsung Smart Modular Home: Modular smart home concept featuring a “sleeping” anti-snore pillow and intelligent mirrors with integrated weather info. (Samsung blog on IFA 2025.)
• Philips Hue Bridge Pro & OmniGlow Strip Light: New Bridge Pro with Wi-Fi & MotionAware; the OmniGlow LED strip delivers seamless color gradients and high brightness. (Philips blog on IFA 2025.)

Security & outdoor lighting

Smart innovations for outdoor areas focused on safety:

• Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight Wi-Fi: 360° outdoor camera with 4K recording, dual-lens, AI search function, color floodlight, and up to 512 GB storage.
• Tapo 4K security cameras, smart doorbells, and more.

Other connected kitchen appliances at IFA 2025

Additional highlights included:

• Samsung Extractor Induction Hob & Bespoke AI Dishwasher: The cooktop with integrated “Turbo-Slim” fan and the smart dishwasher with AI Wash, Auto-Open-Door, and seven years of software support.
• Miele Fire Pro IQ Outdoor Grill (“Dreams” series): Smart gas grill with four zones, app control, automatic temperature regulation, and recipe assist – modularly configurable for outdoor kitchens.
• Midea Built-In Kitchen Series & Dual-Zone Air Fryer: Stylish built-in appliances with AI integration and an air fryer that can prepare two dishes simultaneously with individual settings.

The IFA 2025 in Berlin makes one thing clear: connected household appliances are no longer a vision of the future. Whether every technical gadget will prevail remains to be seen. Smart technologies are spreading further across the EU, but customers remain highly price-sensitive. Nevertheless, the fair continues to be a central stage for technologies that can make our homes smarter and more livable.