An oven with a camera that identifies food and controls the cooking process. Another digital aid that provides step-by-step assistance during frying. And a washer-dryer that’s smarter and more convenient than anything before. These are some of the highlights that Miele unveiled at IFA. Last year, the company introduced an oven camera which transmits live images to smartphones, making it possible for users to check the progress of cooking or roasting on the move and even adjust settings from their devices. Now, with the intelligent new Smart Food ID feature, the camera is even able to detect which dish the oven is dealing with and suggest an appropriate programme. Based on artificial intelligence, it is already able to digitally identify more than 20 dishes, from Mediterranean roasted vegetables to roast pork with crackling and streusel cake – and the system is learning more as time progresses. Smart Browning Control, another smart aid, produces a perfect pizza by using a camera to detect the level of browning, allowing it to tell when the pizza is done and stop the oven at the right point in time. Besides, CookAssist for Miele induction hobs provides step-by-step guidance through the entire frying process via the Miele app. The intelligent TempControl hob sensor determines the ideal temperature and maintains it automatically – so there’s no longer any need for users to make constant adjustments or worry about food burning.
A special guest at the press conference was Max Lössl, founder and CEO of the new Miele subsidiary Agrilution, which is bringing the pioneering concept of vertical farming to the home. Vertical farming provides an environmentally, space-saving way of producing food in multi-level fully automated greenhouse units, all as close to the place of consumption as possible. However, the fully automated greenhouse units (Plantcubes) from Agrilution are no bigger than a standard refrigerator. Plantcubes create the perfect conditions for growing fresh and aromatic salads, herbs and microgreens. Describing the principle, Max Lössl says: “The temperature, lighting and watering system are controlled fully automatically via an app and the cloud, so every season is harvest season”. With Agrilution, Miele is expanding its portfolio of healthy enjoyment options.
Executive Director and Co-Proprietor Reinhard Zinkann presented the latest highlights in Miele’s laundry care, floorcare and coffee preparation products – focusing on the new premium models available in the WT1 range of washer-dryers. “Exclusive Miele technology such as the highly efficient PowerWash and the TwinDos two-phase dispensing system make WT1 appliances the most convenient and intelligent washer-dryers on the market”, said Zinkann. The new appliances are able to wash up to 9 kg of laundry and dry up to 6 kg. And in situations where there’s only little time to spare, they are able to wash and dry as much as 4 kg in less than three hours with flawless results. Individual items can even be washed in a way that is fast and kind to the environment – in less than an hour, depending on the programme.
