At the 2026 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE) in Shanghai from March 12 to 15, Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai showcased its "True AI" strategy, highlighting a shift from reactive intelligence to proactive service. By integrating self-developed AI chips, multi-modal sensing systems, and adaptive control algorithms, Gree is building a device-level artificial intelligence ecosystem designed to move beyond superficial smart features.
Under the theme "True AI Love," Gree demonstrated how artificial intelligence is deeply embedded into home life. From AI olfactory cooking in the kitchen to AI-powered central air conditioning systems, the company is upgrading smart functionality from basic interactivity to practical implementation, closely linking each AI innovation to health-conscious living scenarios.
These are not merely conceptual advancements. Gree's True AI delivers measurable benefits such as reduced electricity costs and enhanced performance. The second-generation AI Dynamic Energy Saving Solution, introduced in 2026, achieves an additional 23% annual energy savings compared to conventional units, improving upon the first generation by 10%. As Gree's CMO Zhu Lei noted, the company is addressing common industry challenges by building a full-scenario True AI technology framework that covers sensing, interaction, and energy efficiency, offering users more comfortable, economical, and intuitive experiences.
Gree's True AI applications span multiple product lines. The new Ai Calm King series cabinet air conditioner features a proprietary energy-saving chip and a self-developed AI home appliance model. It uses multi-dimensional data—including temperature, humidity, and air quality—to manage indoor climate automatically. The unit also serves as a smart home hub, enabling seamless control over appliances, lighting, and security devices, and supports future integration across home, car, and personal ecosystems.
In the kitchen category, Gree's Star Chef multi-function steam oven introduces AI Olfactory Technology. Equipped with high-precision odor sensors, it detects food-specific scent molecules within milliseconds, overcoming limitations of visual recognition—such as distinguishing between similar dishes like roast meat and char siu—and automatically adjusts temperature and humidity for optimal results. This technology is expected to launch within the year.
For laundry care, the Gree Zhenrou Max washing and drying machine uses AI sensing to detect surface and deep fiber stains. It combines real-time weather, season, and time data to customize wash and dry settings—gentle spin on sunny days for natural drying, intensive drying on cloudy days—while adjusting noise levels for daytime efficiency and nighttime quiet operation.
Additionally, the Gree Mingzhu refrigerator employs AI Vision Freshness Recognition, identifying over 200 types of food items and monitoring freshness levels in real time, alerting users to any abnormalities.
Beyond consumer products, Gree displayed industrial achievements at AWE 2026, including its self-developed silicon carbide (SiC) chips. Since beginning mass production in 2025, Gree has incorporated SiC chips into nearly 3 million air conditioners. These chips reduce energy loss during power conversion, leading to lower heat generation and energy use, saving users 5–10% on electricity bills annually.
Gree also revealed that its EAI chips have shipped nearly 10 million units, while industrial-grade MCU chips have exceeded 200 million shipments. These chips enable low-power, high-efficiency smart control in applications such as energy management, user interface interaction, and image and voice processing.
During the expo, Gree and JD.com signed a strategic cooperation agreement targeting sales of 10 million AI-enabled air conditioners over the next three years. JD.com will leverage its platform traffic, logistics network, and service capabilities to help bring Gree’s advanced products directly to consumers.
Zhu Lei emphasized that Gree’s confidence in offering a 10-year free repair policy stems from an extremely low failure rate—less than 0.02%—among its air conditioners. He noted that consumers often report using Gree units for decades, underscoring the brand’s durability. With the addition of AI technology, Gree continues to deliver products that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and long-lasting, supported by an enhanced online sales and service ecosystem.
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