Panasonic Appliances (China) has entered a strategic partnership with Alibaba Cloud to co-develop a “Smart Living” platform powered by Qwen, Alibaba’s large language model (LLM). The collaboration will bring enhanced AI capabilities to Panasonic’s home appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, across China.
As part of the partnership, the two companies will also jointly invest in AI talent development in China and apply Alibaba Cloud’s AI technology to optimize Panasonic’s home appliance operations in China. In line with Panasonic’s ‘China for Global’ strategy, the partners will explore opportunities to expand smart home solutions into overseas markets beyond China, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Panasonic Appliances (China) has established a strategic partnership with Alibaba Cloud to co-create a “Smart Living” platform powered by Qwen
“AI represents more than just a technological upgrade for the home appliance industry—it’s a complete transformation of the user experience,” said Lin Yibin, Vice President of Panasonic Appliances China & Northeast Asia and Head of the Smart Living Business Unit. “This partnership will provide us with cutting-edge cloud computing, as well as leading AI model products and technologies, enabling AI to drive innovation in home appliances and deeply integrate technology into daily life.”
“AI in home appliances is shaping the future of smart living – creating smart home ‘agents’ that sense surroundings, make decisions automatically, and interact naturally. Together, we’re building a fully connected smart home ecosystem that delivers personalized, scenario-driven experiences,” Lin added.
Sean Yuan, Regional General Manager of South Pacific & Japan Region for Alibaba Cloud, added, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Panasonic in exploring AI models’ potential for smart homes. Together, we aim to redefine convenience and intelligence in everyday life while contributing industry-leading insights.”
The alliance will bring to market a range of AI-powered use cases, including a Qwen-powered AI agent embedded into Panasonic’s edge devices. For example, Panasonic’s smart refrigerators will be able to track food inventory and alert users before items expire; recommend recipes based on available ingredients; and provide step-by-step cooking guidance when users upload food photos.
Panasonic will also leverage Alibaba Cloud’s AI model technology to upgrade its home appliance operations in China. The partnership will further boost its operational efficiency, accelerate Panasonic’s intelligent transformation in the home living sector in China, and strengthen its competitive edge in tech-driven manufacturing.
To address the rising demand for AI expertise, the two companies also plan to jointly launch training initiatives – ranging from online and offline programs to certification courses, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on AI deployment in smart home environments.
Additionally, Panasonic and Alibaba Cloud will explore opportunities to bring AI-enhanced home solutions to markets beyond China, such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Panasonic Appliances in China has been a partner of Alibaba Cloud since 2015, utilizing its cloud infrastructure, data platforms, and Wuying cloud desktops.
The collaboration now builds on Alibaba’s Qwen model family, which is globally recognized for its performance, cost efficiency, and real-world deployment. The latest iteration, Qwen3, ranks as the top open-source model on benchmarks such as Artificial Analysis and LiveBench. As of January 2025, over 290,000 enterprises—spanning robotics, automotive, healthcare, and education—have adopted Qwen through Alibaba Cloud’s Model Studio to accelerate digital innovation.
This article was originally published on Alizila written by Alizila staff.
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