Jane Jetson’s Dream Kitchen Comes to Life
By Jen Taylor on Nov 19, 2014
In 1950, an Associated Press article, “How Experts Think We’ll Live in 2000 A.D.,” predicted that homes in the future would be similar to an episode of the Jetsons. The article reported that “people will live in houses so automatic that push-buttons will be replaced by fingertip and even voice controls. Some people today can push a button to close a window - another to start coffee in the kitchen. Tomorrow such chores will be done by the warmth of your fingertip.” Though we don’t have Rosie the Robot running our households yet, there are some interesting innovations appearing on the market that rival the kitchen of Jane Jetson.
Scene from Whirlpool USA YouTube video
One of the most futuristic-looking kitchen appliances is Whirlpool’s touchscreen stovetop. This fancy piece of tech wowed crowds at CES 2014 where Whirlpool’s mockup forecasted a stovetop that would serve both as an induction heating site and a touchscreen. The cooking surface only interacts with metals and will use induction to heat pots, allowing users to cook while keeping the rest of the counter cool. The interactive touchscreen cooktop allows aspiring chefs to display recipes, or rushed parents whipping up a quick breakfast can simultaneously review the weather, news, and even Facebook updates. The cooktop will also be hooked up to the home audio system, letting homeowners change streaming music and set the mood. Though there are several hurdles that must be overcome before the touchscreen stovetops enter the home, developers predict that this technology will be ready for the market in approximately five years.
via lg.com
In the Jetsons, Rosie provides conversation and even some comic relief. Though, we haven’t quite reached this level with our kitchen appliances, we will be able to chat directly with our appliances through LG’s HomeChat. Users can literally converse with their appliances, giving commands and receiving updates by texting appliances in simple conversational language. Ask the fridge if you have any beer left, double check if you have eggs in the fridge before you leave the grocery store, tell the oven to begin preheating while you commute home from work, or let the appliances know when you are leaving for vacation so they can transition into Power Saving Mode. Though the devices will only be available for LG products, it will extend to appliances outside of the kitchen including LG washing machines and robotic vacuums. This technology is slated to be available to consumers in the upcoming year.
By Samsung’s wifi-enabled refrigerator is an unconventional fridge that aims to keep families connected through an interactive display screen. Foodies can stream cooking shows right through the screen or leave reminder notes for forgetful family members. A simple drag and drop app allows users to let the fridge know what is inside, which means the fridge can suggest recipes based on what’s currently in the fridge, and give notices when the contents of a tupperware are expiring. The fridge even lets users leave notes for one another and share grocery lists that automatically update on all connected mobile devices. The screen will also allow connected users to screenshare, play music, display Google Calendar, tweet, and answer phone calls. The kitchen often functions as the central hub of the home, and the LCD wifi-enabled display intends to bring the family together and keep them connected through this refrigerator. Dacor has also incorporated an interactive screen into the Discovery iQ Dual-Fuel Range oven. This interactive appliance allows users to watch tutorials and display recipes while cooking, and issues texts letting forgetful cooks know that food is ready (or burning). This oven features 10 cooking modes and a gas cooktop that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet.
Scene from Monsieur video
There are also a number of smaller specialty devices available for the kitchen. For example, The Monsieur is an automated bartender that can whip up a cocktail from both predefined recipes or your own customized creations. Using wireless technology, this device can also communicate with smart fridges to know what ingredients are available for making drinks, or give alerts about responsible drinking practices. Busy students will also appreciate the VIP Fridge Magnet, a small pizza box-shaped magnet that allows homeowners to order pizza simply by pressing a button. The magnet was developed by Red Tomato Pizza in Dubai, and is preset to order a customized pizza online. Users receive a confirmation text on their smartphones and can update their pizza preferences anytime online.
It seems like the new millennium's smart technology does not depend on the “warmth of a fingertip” as the Associated Press predicted, but rather on its ability to synch with our personal smartphone devices. In this way, we’ve progressed beyond the image created by the Associated Press and The Jetsons, in that homeowners do not even need to be at home to interact and instruct appliances. Regardless of how we interact with the devices of the future, it is clear that even George Jetson’s Rosie the Robot would be jealous of the ease that consumers will soon be able to create a grocery list or order a pizza.
Do you want any of these kitchen appliances in your new home?
Feature Image: Everett Collection
