Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/kitchen-of-the-future-2014-4
Homes are becoming smarter than ever, and arguably nowhere is that push more apparent than in the kitchen.
With Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerators and appliances that can text you alerts, companies like LG and GE are leading the charge into developing some seriously high-tech ways to cook.
One trend involves looking at the kitchen as the social hub of the home.
"The kitchen is really a multifunctional living space where people cook and socialize with friends," Chris Bissig, manager of concept and brand development at GE Appliances, said to Business Insider. "Some of these technologies might let people share meals even if they're not in the same place."
As far as aesthetics, versatility is key in the kitchen of the future.
"Our vision is of a clean, white island top. You could place the pots and pans wherever they need to be placed," Bissig said. "It's minimal, simple, with lots of flexibility."
We've rounded up some of the most compelling ideas we've seen for the kitchen of the future. While some products are available for purchase now, others could be a bit farther out.
"It's hard to predict when all of this will be available," Bissig said. "A lot of the technology is already out there, but it may not be together in a package."
The TopBrewer will have your coffee ready before you're out of bed.
Scanomat's TopBrewer would be a sleek addition to any countertop. Though it may look like just another faucet, it can dispense a multitude of drinks, including freshly brewed coffee, espresso, and cappuccinos, as well as sparkling water, milk, and soda.
The TopBrewer is also easily controlled by your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you can quickly prepare your favorite customized drinks from another room in the house. Very quickly, in fact — 15 seconds is all it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
The entire system costs about $11,000.
The iDevices kitchen thermometer texts you when your food is cooked.
This kitchen thermometer from iDevices uses Bluetooth to alert you when your food has reached its optimal temperature, making it easy to multitask while you're cooking.
Its two prongs will even let you cook two different meats at once, even if they're at different temperatures. The two-pronged version retails for $80, while a miniature model with one probe costs just $40.
LG's HomeChat will let you text your appliances as if they were people.
With LG's HomeChat system, introduced at CES 2014, users will actually be able to text commands to their appliances to make them more useful. The system will be programmed to respond to conversational language, so texting something like "Do we have eggs?" or "Is the milk expired?" will make your refrigerator respond as any helpful person would.
LG plans to make HomeChat available for all of its appliances, including dishwashers, vacuums, and laundry machines. You can even get recipe suggestions from your oven, then have it automatically program itself to cook your meal.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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