Launches at IFA – energy efficiency, sustainability, UX and AI

When it comes to appliances at IFA this year, there was a lot of focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as user experience and artificial intelligence. Several products were premiered at the show, and here are some examples from Samsung, BSH, Electrolux and Miele.

Samsung

The fact that energy efficiency is an important focus area is unlikely to have been missed, and at IFA 2023 we were able to see next year's range of washing machines at Samsung's stand, where there will be models with up to 40 percent less energy consumption than what is needed to reach the limit for energy class A. Samsung calls them the A-40% washing machine.

“The model is a technical achievement, especially in terms of the smart features and energy efficiency it offers,” said Junhwa Lee, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Team for Digital Appliance Business at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung says that the A-40% washing machine is equipped with AI Wash, which uses advanced sensing features to improve washing performance and minimize waste, and that it effectively controls the amount of water and detergent by analyzing the weight, softness, and level of dirt of the fabric.

Another trend in laundry is larger capacity, and Samsung showed off a combined washer and dryer with a capacity of a whopping 25 kg of laundry and 13 kg of drying, the Bespoke AI washer/dryer combo, which has Digital Inverter Heat Pump technology under the hood – the dryer uses a heat pump. Availability for the product will vary between different countries, and the launch date for Sweden is unclear, as is its energy class.

Samsung also launched the all-in-one cooking app Samsung Food at IFA 2023, for recipe search from over 160,000 recipes, saving and sharing, meal planning and cooking. The app connects to users’ kitchens and sends the correct time and temperature to compatible Samsung ovens.

By the end of the year, Samsung Food, using Food AI, will provide personalized recipes that reflect the user's dietary needs, such as converting a recipe to a vegan version with just a few taps, the company announced, adding that next year, Samsung Food, using Vision AI technology, will also use photos taken of meals to check nutritional information, recognize ingredients and even recommend the best recipes to use them in.

BSH

At IFA 2023, Bosch presented, among other things, the Green Collection white goods series, with products that not only have low energy consumption but are also made from more environmentally friendly materials, with less carbon dioxide emissions during production.

Last year, Siemens presented its first AI applications for the kitchen with the iQ700 oven with a browning sensor, and this year they took the next step with the new food recognition system, which identifies around 40 different dishes, which should make using the oven easier than ever.

Siemens has also thought about the hob, and showed a model where instead of regulating the power via levels, for the first time you can choose an exact temperature – just like with the oven.

Home Connect was of course also represented at BSH and there was a demonstration of how the ”Eco Forecast” can show, for example, how much water and energy the different dishwasher programs consume. This Home Connect function is intended to help consumers get a better overview of the consumption of their household appliances even before the program starts, so that the program selection can be adjusted if necessary.

Electrolux

At IFA 2023, Electrolux showcased AEG EcoLine for the first time, a dedicated selection of the company's most resource-efficient appliances covering all major product categories and aiming to help consumers reduce their climate impact while delivering high-quality performance.

It was also the world premiere of the AEG SaphirMatt induction hob with scratch-resistant glass, which is said to be up to four times more scratch-resistant than traditional hobs, while being twice as quick to clean, and the matte black finish is said to be 80 percent less reflective.

Miele

Miele's most spectacular new product at IFA 2023 was Miele Aerium, a product for refreshing garments and other accessories.

An elegant dress can become wrinkled after just a few hours of wearing, kitchen aromas from a meal at the local pizzeria linger in your jacket, or you accidentally get caught in a downpour in your overcoat – three examples that leave garments that on the one hand don’t need to be washed but on the other hand can’t be put back in the cupboard. Miele launches Aerium, as the solution for refreshing, smoothing and drying all types of textiles, with air, steam and fine fragrances, but without detergents and without using large amounts of water.

“In some countries in Asia, clothes care cabinets are already bestsellers; in Europe, however, they are still virtually unknown,” says Markus Miele.

Shoes, hats, stuffed animals and even backpacks are restored to their former freshness in the Miele Aerium, the company states, adding that depending on individual needs, three programs are available, which can be combined with the ”Hygiene” option if necessary to kill bacteria and viruses. Proven components such as a steam generator or a heat pump, familiar to customers from steam ovens and dryers, ensure efficient and reliable operation.

Text: Ola Larsson

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