SmartThings is working to unlock the Internet of Things by making everyday things easily accessible and controllable through its custom-built "magic hubs" that automatically connect devices to the internet and a cloud platform. The company's goal is to provide a truly friction-free way for consumers to solve real-world problems, such as monitoring pipes remotely to prevent damage like the $50,000 burst pipe incident experienced by co-founder Alex Hawkinson in his cabin. SmartThings aims to bridge the gap between the technical expertise of hackers and the everyday consumer, allowing users to control their devices using a simple app, with plans to open its platform to developers and makers to create new functions, hardware, and apps.