Core Viewpoint - Midea is focusing on user value rather than the concept of "ecosystem," emphasizing the integration of smart home, smart cars, and smartphones to meet user needs across different spaces and scenarios [1][2]. Group 1: Midea's Strategy - Midea is implementing a dual-brand strategy with COLMO and Midea to create deep smart home integration, aiming to connect users across various environments [1]. - The concept of "human-vehicle-home integration" is not unique to Xiaomi but is seen as a direction for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) [4]. - Midea has conducted extensive research on user needs for connectivity between smartphones, cars, and traditional homes, indicating a demand for seamless integration [2]. Group 2: Industry Context - The "human-vehicle-home" concept has been referenced by other companies, including Huawei, which emphasizes its HarmonyOS in its smart living solutions [4]. - Midea is a member of the Matter protocol, which aims to standardize connectivity across various smart devices, and has already launched products supporting this protocol [4]. - According to Omdia, the number of devices supporting the Matter protocol is expected to increase by 300% in 2024, with the average number of connected devices in homes rising from 6 to 9-10 [4]. Group 3: Midea's IoT Development - Midea established its IoT research lab in 2013 and has progressed through three phases of smart home development, from single-device control to a unified IoT platform [5]. - The current phase focuses on an integrated solution centered around AI, with the Midea app connecting over 1.259 billion devices and having more than 1.159 billion registered users [5]. - Midea plans to expand its connectivity efforts with smartphone and automotive companies to enhance integration beyond the home environment [5].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes the significant transformation and growth of Midea Group under the leadership of Fang Hongbo, highlighting his strategic reforms and focus on innovation and technology [1][12][15] - Midea's revenue reached 409.1 billion in 2024, with a net profit of 38.5 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of 9.5% and 14.3% respectively compared to 2023 [2][12] - Under Fang Hongbo's leadership since 2012, Midea's revenue has increased sixfold and net profit has grown over elevenfold, showcasing a remarkable turnaround from a struggling company to a market leader [2][15] Group 2 - Fang Hongbo's initial challenges included overcoming a legacy of poor performance and a lack of competitive edge against rivals like Haier and Gree, which required a fundamental restructuring of the company [4][5][12] - The company underwent significant internal reforms, including a reduction in product models from 22,000 to 15,000 and a workforce reduction of 70,000 employees, which allowed Midea to streamline operations and focus on core competencies [7][8][9] - Midea's R&D investment has dramatically increased, reaching 16.2 billion in 2024, positioning the company as a leader in innovation compared to competitors [11][12] Group 3 - Midea's strategic shift towards global expansion has resulted in overseas revenue of approximately 169 billion, accounting for 41.52% of total revenue, indicating a successful international growth strategy [13][15] - The company has also diversified its business model, with the commercial and industrial solutions segment generating 104.5 billion in revenue in 2024, contributing 25.5% to overall revenue [15] - Fang Hongbo's leadership has been characterized by a strong partnership with founder He Xiangjian, which has fostered an environment of trust and enabled significant strategic changes [15][16]

Core Insights - The integration of AI technology into whole-home smart systems is redefining consumer perceptions of smart appliances, positioning companies that excel in this area as future leaders in the home appliance industry [1][2] - Midea Group has established an AI research institute and launched AI-powered products, indicating a strong commitment to deepening user experience through advanced technology [1][2] Group 1: Strategic Focus - Midea's core strategic driver for whole-home intelligence is to enhance the consumer experience by integrating various smart home products, including both smart appliances and home automation systems [2] - The upcoming upgrade of the Midea app aims to transform it into a comprehensive smart home integration platform, featuring a youthful design and enhanced AI capabilities [2] Group 2: AI Integration - Midea has developed its own AI model, "Meiyan," and is integrating multiple external models to optimize user experience across different scenarios [3] - The application of the DeepSeek model in Midea's air conditioning products allows for real-time adjustments based on environmental factors and user habits, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency [3][4] Group 3: Collaboration with Huawei - The partnership with Huawei has expanded from home appliances to energy management and vehicle-home integration, focusing on creating user-centric solutions [4] - Midea aims to simplify user interactions through NFC and other technologies, facilitating seamless connectivity between devices [4] Group 4: Ecosystem Development - Midea's ecosystem strategy emphasizes standardization in product integration and maintaining high safety and quality standards across its offerings [5] - The company envisions a dual role in the "people-vehicle-home" ecosystem, focusing on both software solutions and hardware development to enhance user experience [6] Group 5: Industry Implications - Midea's approach to ecosystem development, characterized by "bringing in" and "going out," highlights the importance of collaboration with various technology partners to create a cohesive smart home experience [7]