Seoul: Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled the industry's first hybrid refrigerator using semiconductor elements and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve energy efficiency and performance.

The new Bespoke AI Hybrid Refrigerator adopts a hybrid cooling method that combines Peltier modules, along with a traditional compressor, reports Yonhap news agency.

Peltier modules, or thermoelectric modules, are thermal control devices that provide both heating and cooling effects, maintaining the surface temperature at a set target.

These modules are commonly used in small consumer products, such as portable coolers and minibar fridges, but are less frequently applied to larger appliances due to their traditionally lower power efficiency.