Smart kitchens: The automated and customized kitchen manager

• Author:
• Author name

  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 13, 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled a network of appliances that communicate with each other. The smart kitchen, a product of this technology, allows people to remotely manage their food preparation and storage through their smartphones or other devices. Features such as voice-activated controls, automatic ordering of groceries, and remote temperature monitoring are changing how people interact with their homes.

Smart kitchens context

The idea of intelligent products that can communicate with each other has been around as early as 2009 when a group of researchers proposed a centralized platform that can manage wireless devices and sensors. This method is precisely how smart kitchens operate as of 2023. Through machine-machine and machine-human communication (via smartphone apps), appliances use data to customize services that best fit a particular household. 

Ovens and refrigerators work together to start the food preparation long before the user arrives. Ingredients are thawed, and the oven is preheated to just the right temperature in time for dinner preparation. According to a 2018 study of smart kitchen IoT, the kitchen is the best place to have an automated environment as it is a relatively small and closed system that is mostly predictable or repetitive. 

This setup is not just about convenience, but it also has the potential to significantly reduce food waste. Smart refrigerators with built-in cameras and inventory tracking allow users to keep track of their groceries, so they know what to buy and use. They can even alert the user when certain items run low and automatically order replacements. This feature helps users reduce food waste by ensuring they do not overbuy groceries or let them go bad before they can be used. 

Disruptive impact

Consumers may soon rely heavily on these smart appliances to help them determine what to eat. These devices can promote healthy eating by providing nutritional information and customized recipes based on the ingredients available in the kitchen. The smart kitchen can also track the user's dietary preferences and restrictions and provide meal recommendations that meet those criteria.

Moreover, the technology is developing rapidly and leaning toward conservation. Dishwashers are equipped with sensors to detect how much detergent a particular load needs. They can also order dishwashing powder refills autonomously. Ovens can detect the best temperature for specific meals and have built-in cameras to help users check the status of their pies and roasts (some of them can even autonomously open and play Spotify playlists). Dinner can be served while the user takes a shower or answers emails. Aside from task efficiency, smart kitchen systems can detect gas leaks, adjust energy consumption to lower electricity bills, and send real-time updates while the user is on long vacations. 

However, as with any technology, there are also potential drawbacks. Privacy and security concerns are among the biggest challenges of IoT, and smart kitchens are no exception. The vast amount of personal data these appliances collect raises questions about how it is stored, used, and protected. Therefore, it is crucial for manufacturers to prioritize cybersecurity and privacy in the development of this technology. 

Implications of smart kitchens

Wider implications of smart kitchens may include:

• Appliances that update each other to accomplish the entire food preparation, from defrosting to cooking to cleaning to grocery shopping.
• Remotely managed kitchens that can start tasks via smartphone apps and give real-time updates, including identifying missing ingredients, broken parts, or delays.
• Kitchens that can support collaborative cooking and entertainment, such as playing music, turning on the TV, or playing cooking shows on YouTube.
• Reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by automating the management of energy-intensive appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers.
• Automated meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking, freeing up time for other activities.
• New jobs in the technology, manufacturing, and service sectors. However, reduced demand for kitchen staff in restaurants and other food service industries could lead to job displacement and changes in labor markets.
• Social connections through remote cooking and shared recipes among friends and family members.
• Smart kitchens aiding the elderly and people with disabilities by providing greater access to nutritious meals and reducing the need for assistance from caregivers.
• Advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the IoT, creating new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Questions to consider

• Would you be interested in building your smart kitchen?
• How do you think the technology will further develop in the next three years?