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Connected Kitchen: The Next Big Leap in Technology
December 16, 2024
The connected kitchen can transform home design, integrating smart appliances and IoT for greater convenience, efficiency, and sustainability. With features like voice control and energy optimisation, it can streamline cooking and daily routines, redefining modern living and can be a compelling choice for a high-end show kitchen.
In an age when technology seamlessly integrates into every aspect of our daily lives, the concept of the ‘connected kitchen’ has emerged as a game-changing trend in contemporary home design. The kitchen is no longer just a place to cook and prepare meals. Today, it serves as the smart home's hub, combining cutting-edge technology with culinary creativity to improve users’ cooking experiences and streamline their daily routines.
A connected kitchen is more than a collection of cutting-edge appliances; it represents a comprehensive approach to kitchen design that prioritises convenience, efficiency, and sustainability. From smart refrigerators that can order groceries and recommend recipes based on their contents to voice-controlled ovens and coffee makers, the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) devices is changing the way we interact with kitchens.
Key components of a Connected Kitchen A connected kitchen is a marvel of modern technology, incorporating a variety of smart appliances and devices that communicate with one another to improve the cooking experience.
Smart appliances including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves that can be controlled remotely using smartphone apps form the backbone of a connected kitchen. They frequently include advanced features like recipe suggestions, inventory management, and energy efficiency tracking. Additionally, these appliances also can talk to each other making the experience more fluent and wholesome.
Another key component is a voice assistant. Devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home have become essential in the connected kitchen, allowing users to control their appliances with simple voice commands. Voice assistants make it easier to do everything from set timers to adjust oven temperatures while cooking.
Smart pots, pans, and thermometers monitor cooking processes in real-time to ensure that food is cooked perfectly. These devices frequently sync with mobile apps to deliver step-by-step cooking instructions and notifications. Additionally, integrated touchscreens or tablets provide quick access to recipes, cooking videos, and shopping lists. They also function as hubs.
The key components of a connected kitchen collaborate to create a unified and intelligent cooking environment. By combining smart refrigerators, ovens, smaller appliances, and a central hub, homeowners can gain greater convenience, efficiency, and enjoyment from their cooking experiences. As technology advances, the connected kitchen can become a compelling option in high-end homes and apartments.
The kitchen could communicate with the smart home lighting system to adjust the brightness based on cooking activities. Photo Courtesy: LG
Benefits of a Connected Kitchen
The incorporation of smart technology into the kitchen provides numerous advantages that improve the cooking and dining experience.
• Convenience: Connected kitchens make meal preparation easier by automating various tasks. For example, smart refrigerators can notify users when ingredients are running low and even place grocery orders online.
• Efficiency: Smart appliances help to make households more efficient by optimising energy and resource use. Energy-efficient devices reduce power consumption, resulting in lower utility bills.
• Personalisation: Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms tailor the cooking experience by recommending recipes based on dietary preferences and previous cooking experiences.
• Health and Safety: Connected kitchens encourage healthy eating habits by providing nutritional information and cooking tips.
In addition, smart appliances improve safety by preventing overcooking and lowering the risk of kitchen accidents.
• Sustainability: Smart technology promotes sustainable practices by reducing food waste and increasing energy efficiency. Smart refrigerators, for example, can help owners manage their food inventory and expiration dates, reducing spoilage.
Available Technologies in the Market
The market for connected kitchen technology is brimming with innovative products that meet a wide range of culinary needs. From smart refrigerators and ovens to small appliances, voice-controlled assistants, and smart kitchen gadgets, these technologies are intended to work together to create a seamless, efficient, and enjoyable cooking experience. As these products continue to evolve and integrate, let us look at some of the technology that is available in the market today.
Smart refrigerators like the Samsung Family Hub and LG InstaView ThinQ are leading the way in this revolution. These cutting-edge appliances include interior cameras that monitor food inventory, touch screens for managing grocery lists and viewing recipes, and seamless integration with smart home ecosystems. With voice recognition technology and compatibility with virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, these refrigerators can even respond to voice commands, making kitchen management a breeze.
Smart ovens and ranges are also making significant inroads into the connected kitchen market. Brands such as Whirlpool, GE, and Bosch provide models that can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps, allowing users to preheat the oven, set timers, and adjust temperatures from anywhere. Some advanced models, such as the June Oven, include internal cameras and artificial intelligence to identify foods and recommend optimal cooking settings.
Some of these cutting-edge innovations were on display in Eurocucina 2024, a biennial expo which is part of Salone del Mobile. Samsung had a dedicated zone for their recently introduced ‘Bespoke AI’ range that demonstrates the expansion of connectivity. It includes the experience of connectivity existing not only in the kitchen but also in the rest of the home, assisting users’ life to be simple and intuitive, with less user input required at home.
Haier also showcased their smart appliances that promote the idea of a connected kitchen. The brand showcased its ID Series of connected ovens and hobs featuring sophisticated style and exclusive Bionicook technology. Complementing this was the built-in ID Series refrigerators with advanced features for food preservation.
In the Indian market, earlier this year, BSH Home Appliances launched the Siemens iQ700 range of smart built-in ovens. The ovens offer precise cooking with technology like 4D Air for even heating, Individual Browning with five levels, and Fullsteam Plus for healthier cooking. An integrated camera allows remote monitoring and control via the Home Connect App, which also supports voice commands. The sleek design includes flexible rails and an intuitive TFT-Touch display. Smart functions like Cookcontrol Pro and pyrolysis-based self-cleaning enhance user convenience.
Smart appliances including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves that can be controlled remotely using smartphone apps form the backbone of a connected kitchen. Photo Courtesy: Siemens
In the Indian market, earlier this year, BSH Home Appliances launched the Siemens iQ700 range of smart built-in ovens. The ovens offer precise cooking with technology like 4D Air for even heating, Individual Browning with five levels, and Fullsteam Plus for healthier cooking. An integrated camera allows remote monitoring and control via the Home Connect App, which also supports voice commands. The sleek design includes flexible rails and an intuitive TFT-Touch display. Smart functions like Cookcontrol Pro and pyrolysis-based self-cleaning enhance user convenience.
In addition to large appliances, smart small appliances improve kitchen connectivity. Smart coffee makers from brands such as Keurig and Smarter can be programmed to brew coffee at specific times or controlled remotely, ensuring your coffee is ready when you get up. Smart sous-vide cookers, such as those from Anova and Joule, provide precise temperature control and can be monitored via smartphone apps, resulting in perfectly cooked meals.
Voice control technology is an essential component of the connected kitchen, with devices such as the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub offering hands-free assistance. These smart displays can help users follow recipes step by step, convert measurements, set timers, and control other smart kitchen appliances.
The Future of Connected Kitchen
As technology advances, the connected kitchen will become increasingly integrated into our daily lives. Better integration of kitchen appliances and other smart home devices will result in a more cohesive and efficient living space. The kitchen could communicate with the smart home lighting system to adjust the brightness based on cooking activities.
Augmented Reality (AR) technology could provide immersive cooking experiences by superimposing step-by-step instructions in a real-world environment. This would allow users to easily follow complex recipes.
Additionally, future smart refrigerators may include more advanced food management systems, such as automatic inventory tracking, spoilage detection, and personalised nutrition plans. The focus on sustainability will spur the development of more environmentally friendly appliances and technologies. These innovations will focus on lowering energy consumption, reducing waste, and promoting environmentally friendly cooking practices.
A connected kitchen is a marvel of modern technology, incorporating a variety of smart appliances and devices that communicate with one another to improve the cooking experience. Photo Courtesy: LG
Is the Indian Market Ready for Connected Kitchen?
Now, is the Indian market really ready for this technology today and in the future? When it comes to smart connected kitchens, the Indian market offers an intriguing landscape. With an increasing interest in technology, the stage appears set for a significant shift toward smarter homes, including kitchens. As urbanisation accelerates, so does the demand for modern, efficient, and convenient living solutions. Indian consumers are increasingly tech-savvy, relying on smartphones and smart devices for daily tasks. This growing familiarity with technology creates an enabling environment for the introduction and adoption of smart kitchen appliances.
However, affordability and local relevance are important factors in determining the Indian market's readiness for smart connected kitchens. While high-end smart kitchen appliances are available, their high cost may be a barrier to widespread adoption. Smart kitchen devices that can handle traditional Indian cooking methods, such as making chapatis or fermenting batter for idlis and dosas, are more likely to be popular with customers. Localisation of technology is thus critical in making smart kitchens appealing to the Indian market.
In the high-end kitchen segment, a connected kitchen may serve as a space to flaunt and can be an intriguing option as show kitchens. Homeowners who have an inclination towards an international and contemporary dietary preference may find these smarter appliances more suited to their lifestyle. And, we have seen an uptick of gadgets and tech-heavy features in those kitchens.
A full-scale connected kitchen may be the next leap in that direction. However, what we have learnt from our interactions with architects and interior designers who design such high-end projects is that they are very particular about brand, experience and after-sales service. Since word of mouth plays a critical role in that segment, a bad experience with a gadget malfunctioning and a sour after-sales service experience can severely affect not only that particular brand but the product category per se.
A leader from a renowned German kitchen fittings and appliance maker once conveyed to us – ‘Indian customers are one of the most demanding ones in the World’. Offering great products with advanced features won’t be sufficient. They need to ensure a smoother overall experience. Brands that are offering products and services and promoting the idea of a connected kitchen must take notice.
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