TL;DR
Samsung announced at CES 2026 that its Family Hub refrigerators will gain voice commands to open and close doors using built-in Bixby. The update also integrates Google’s Gemini LLM into the fridges’ AI Vision to expand on-device food recognition for meal planning and waste reduction.
What happened
At CES 2026 Samsung revealed a software update for its Family Hub smart refrigerator line that enables hands-free opening and closing of the doors via Bixby voice control. Users will be able to speak commands such as “Open the door” or “Shut the fridge door,” and the mechanism will move the door past 90 degrees, according to Samsung’s press release. The feature can also be triggered by tapping the door with the palm or the back of the hand. In the same announcement the company said it is adding Google’s Gemini large language model to the built-in AI Vision system that scans and identifies items placed into the fridge. Samsung says that integration allows the system to instantly recognize an unlimited range of fresh and processed foods, aiming to support meal planning and reduce food waste. The details were shared by Samsung at CES and summarized in the reporting.
Why it matters
- Hands-free door control can make common kitchen tasks easier when users have dirty or full hands.
- Voice and touch-triggered opening is positioned as an accessibility improvement for people with mobility or dexterity limitations.
- Broader and faster food recognition may streamline meal planning and help households track inventory to cut food waste.
- The Gemini integration signals increased cross-company AI partnerships inside consumer appliances.
Key facts
- Announcement made by Samsung at CES 2026 via a press release.
- Family Hub fridges will accept voice commands through the built-in Bixby assistant.
- Example commands mentioned: “Shut the fridge door” and “Open the door.”
- Samsung says voice-triggered opening will swing the door beyond 90 degrees.
- Door movement can also be activated by tapping the door with the palm or the back of the hand.
- AI Vision on Family Hub will use Google’s Gemini large language model for food recognition.
- Samsung described the upgraded vision system as able to identify unlimited fresh and processed food items to aid meal planning and reduce waste.
- Report published Jan. 5, 2026, by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy.
What to watch next
- Rollout timing and which Family Hub models will receive the update: not confirmed in the source.
- Details on safety features, child locks or physical safeguards for the moving door: not confirmed in the source.
- How the update will be delivered (OTA update vs. new models) and any required hardware changes: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Family Hub: Samsung’s line of smart refrigerators that include touchscreen displays and connected features.
- Bixby: Samsung’s voice assistant used to control compatible devices and respond to spoken commands.
- Gemini: Google’s large language model (LLM) used for natural language tasks and, in this case, integrated into device AI systems.
- AI Vision: An on-device system that uses cameras and machine learning to recognize objects and items placed in view.
Reader FAQ
When will the voice open/close feature arrive on Family Hub fridges?
not confirmed in the source
Which Family Hub models will support the new voice and tap controls?
not confirmed in the source
How wide will the door open when triggered by voice?
Samsung says the voice command will open the door past 90 degrees.
Is Google’s technology part of the fridge’s food recognition?
Yes. Samsung said the built-in AI Vision will use Google’s Gemini LLM to identify food items.
TECH NEWS CES Shut the fridge door! Voice control opening and closing comes to Samsung’s Family Hub smart fridges. by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy Jan 5, 2026, 3:00 AM UTC 0…
Sources
- Shut the fridge door!
- Samsung Smart Fridge: Ads on Your Fridge Screen
- Samsung Releases New Refrigerator Software Update To …
- Auto Open Door Brings Everyday Convenience to Home …
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