CES 2018: Whirlpool’s Smart Appliances Make Tech The Centre Of The Home
Whirlpool has debuted its new range of smart home appliances, and its growing ecosystem now boasts support for Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and for the first time ever integration with Apple’s smartwatch.
The company states its new smart appliances are made for the family, and is designed “to get dinner on the table faster”, whilst cutting down the amount of time spent on household tasks.
New Whirlpool Smart Products
Microwave with Scan-to-Cook technology
With this innovation, consumers are able to scan the barcodes of “thousands” of frozen food items via their smartphones/tablet, which sends the best cooking instructions straight to their microwave.
Smart Front Contol Range
Via the ‘Yummly’ recipe app, consumers can use scan-to-cook technology to send personalised recipe suggestions straight to their oven.
Whirlpool’s ‘Smart Over The Range Microwave’ and ‘Smart Front Control Range’ both feature the following:
- Remote start
- Meal preparation via the Yummly app (further information below)
[Source: Whirlpool]
- Scan-to-Cook
- LCD Touchscreen
- Multistep cooking capabilities (temperature automatically adjusted based on the recipe entered via smartphone/tablet integration)
Smart All-In-One Washer & Dryer
Reducing the amount of time spent in the laundry, Whirlpool’s new all-in-one washer and dryer, starts drying straight after the washing routine finishes.
Support for Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant
Apple Watch
Whirlpool claims it is the first appliance company to offer integration with Apple’s smartwatch. Support is scheduled to roll out in early 2018, which will enable consumers to remotely control their ovens, washers and dryer’s through their Apple watch.
Applications via their smartwatch includes – monitoring their oven status and changing settings, and controlling their washing and dryer machines.
Google Assistant & Amazon’s Alexa
Hands-free support via Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa will be available – e.g. consumers can ask “Alexa, how much time is left on the dryer?”.
Amazon Virtual Dash
Whirlpool is also adding Amazon Virtual Dash Buttons to refrigerators which have touchscreens, enabling Prime customers to order items directly from the screen on their appliances.
Ryan Craig, Whirlpool Senior Manager Internet of Things Global Strategy and Partnerships affirms that IoT integration is part of a growing ecosystem:
“With more connected home devices introduced each year, it can be a challenge to make sure they all remain interconnected. By introducing the collaboration with the Google Assistant on Google Home in addition to our previous collaboration with Amazon, we’re hoping to offer a more connected smart home ecosystem for families”.
Australian pricing and availability is yet to be announced.
