Smart technology seems to have entered every market imaginable, and the kitchen is no exception. Smart devices now rule the modern home. But just when you think you’ve seen every possible gadget, something new and exciting comes out. While these gems are becoming harder to find in the sea of smart devices flooding the market, they do exist. Here’s some kitchen tech we desperately want to get our hands on.
WhirlPool’s interactive cooktop
Unveiled back in 2014 at the International Consumer Electronics Show, this cool piece of technology combines the physical with the virtual. The cooktop can recognize and apply heat to areas where you place your pots, which allows for some real flexibility. Want to make sure you’re following the recipe on the right track? No problem, just pull it on the cooktop. After you’re done, share it to Facebook with a simple tap. The only downside is that we will have to wait until 2020 for this technology to become available.
Smart ovens
JuneOven it really took oven technology to new heights. Activating your oven while you’re on your phone? Been there, done that. How about a camera that identifies food and suggests the best cooking presets? Or, an internal thermometer that guarantees that food is cooked to your liking without ever having to open the oven. Now we are talking in my language. With so many gadgets claiming to save time, it’s good to see one that adds up.
Track your balance
According to the FAO, we waste about a third of our food. If you have a fridge covered in debris, you can easily lose track of everything. DaysAgo is a handy little device that helps by keeping track of how many days it’s been since you last opened that jam. It’s a pretty simple concept, but it can really speak to how much waste we leave each year.
A really smart fridge
It’s expensive, yes, but Samsung’s Smart Fridge is a sign of trends to come. It comes loaded with all the standard apps – Internet, shopping list, but it does it all oh-so well. The large touchscreen is very easy to use and each app is highly polished. By far the coolest feature is the ability to manage various fridge settings such as temperature. If you want to change one portion of the refrigerator from freezer to refrigerator, you can do it with a simple touch. And just as Tesla’s Model S gave way to the more affordable Model 3, I hope this refrigerator technology will pave the way for more affordable and cooler technology.
A robot bartender
Somabar is an app-controlled bartender that will mix your cocktails for you; does it get any better than that? Just select the drink you want from your app, add the ingredients and watch as your very own robot bartender dispenses your perfectly crafted drink.
Amazing Amazon wand
It’s no surprise that an Amazon product is on this list. Amazon has been making great strides in the last few years to really integrate itself into the home. The Dash Wand allows you to scan items and add them to a shopping list. But do you want to know the best part? If you use the food service that Amazon provides, you will receive 20 dollars of free credit by purchasing this device. Since the Dash Wand only costs 20 dollars to start, you can immediately make your money back! And since it’s Amazon we’re talking about here, you’ll get Alexa integration so you can order the groceries you’ve scanned with just your voice.
Diahann Young is the Director of Digital Platforms and Innovation at Pulte Houses, one of the largest home builders in Florida and the United States. It specializes in discovering innovative ways of developing home building products. Her role with Pulte fueled her passion for homes, design and all things real estate.
