Whirlpool presented its entire brand portfolio for the first time at the international fair IFA in Berlin at the beginning of September.
With a stand of 3,200 sq m, visitors, including the media and trade partners, had the chance to experience all of the brands within the company portfolio; KitchenAid, Bauknecht, Whirlpool, Hotpoint and Indesit.
Exhibited for the first time was the range of appliances driven by the company’s ‘6th Sense LIVE’ technology. IFA presented the stage to spotlight a range of Whirlpool freestanding appliances that can communicate and interact with consumers and each other, controlled via an app developed for use with both iOS and Android devices. The range includes the Supreme NoFrost fridge freezer for optimum frost free climate for food preservation, reducing energy and food waste, Whirlpool says. The Supreme Care washing machine and tumble dryer will ‘revolutionise the way people do the laundry’, allowing interaction with tje washer and dryer, where the washing machine will synchronise with the tumble dryer to set up the perfect programme for impeccable garment care, Whirlpool says.
The SmartCook induction hob uses special sensors to monitor and control the temperature of food accurately and at the same time offers a ‘unique’ programme that guides the consumer through food preparation and the flexible zones. Each area has four settings (melting, boiling, simmer and warming) and the hob will automatically set and adjust the temperature accordingly.
It was also the European debut of the ‘Interactive Kitchen of the Future 2.0’, a concept cooking environment and fully connected social media hub that syncs all of a consumer’s devices with their kitchen appliances. The interactive splashback and hob connects to your social networks and favourite websites for recipes or entertainment planning, without the need for a phone, iPad or book, Whirlpool says.
The personalised touchscreen on the splashback will also enable live conversations with friends and family for hints and tips, while the oven switches on at the right time for dinner and the fridge sends an alert when food is at its freshest, the manufacturer adds. It absorbs information from other appliances, predicting and adjusting needs according to task. It is also capable of tracking guests via GPS to alert the consumer if they are going to be delayed.
