AI is ready to take over your kitchen, should you let it?

A new report predicts strong growth in the smart kitchen segment, but users are still cautious about using AI to prepare their food.

Harnessing the power of AI for mundane tasks and being free to do what we want in our spare time could be closer than we think. Research on the smart home market shows that interest, especially in the smart kitchen segment, is rapidly growing.

The global smart home market is about to reach $116 billion in just five years, and the smart kitchen segment will lead the way.

The reason for the increase in smart kitchen appliances is the fact that more consumers want things to be done faster and more efficiently at home, so they turn to AI-powered devices.

“AI algorithms can analyze user habits and preferences, optimizing appliance usage to save energy and improve convenience. AI can do this and more, with features like generating personalized meal plans, recommending healthier alternatives, and even controlling appliances for hands-free cooking,” reveals the research.

But how exactly can these gadgets help various users in everyday life and why haven’t we started implementing them on a larger scale?

How can smart kitchen appliances help?

Fridges, ovens, coffee machines, and dishwashers are the most used smart kitchen gadgets. They all have different features designed to maximize efficiency and make food preparation a more enjoyable experience.

Smart fridges that give out recipes

Powered by an internet connection and sensors, smart refrigerators can monitor users' food supply and provide them with information that would help ensure that they have everything they need and reduce food waste.

The smart fridge is able to track product expiration dates and notify users about it as well as send alerts when some products are running low.

The device can, over time, provide a recommended food shopping list created according to users' eating habits. It can also provide recipes by checking what’s already available in the fridge.

With an installed camera, users can also see what items they have in the fridge, so they don’t accidentally buy the same item twice.

Users can also use the fridge’s touch screen as a calendar, notepad, or to play music.

Smart ovens with remote control

One of the main features that smart ovens offer is the ability to control them remotely via smartphone. This allows users to turn on/off the device, preheat it, set a timer, and receive notifications when the dish is done.

Users who also own Alexa or Google Assistant can also voice various commands to the oven, whether it's asking it to preheat, set the time, or change the temperature.

Similarly to the smart fridge, the smart oven also can remember the user's habits and suggest settings according to their cooking habits.

Coffee machines you can talk to

Smart coffee machines are equipped to provide users with a wide variety of coffee choices and allow them to select a preferred serving.

The machine also manages coffee supplies by notifying users when they run low and offering to order a new batch via the app.

With a smart coffee machine, users can schedule the device to make their beverage at a certain time. The device is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant so users can control it through voice commands.

Smart dishwashers that will notify you of a leak

Users of an AI-powered dishwasher can see the cycle type and length and receive notifications when it's done via smartphone.

The device can also track the detergent supply by notifying a user when it's running low.

The smart dishwasher, like many other smart appliances, can also be controlled by a voice assistant.

In case of a problem, such as a leak, the smart dishwasher also notifies the user.

What to know before buying a smart device for your kitchen?

While such appliances might seem like an exciting update, not all are keen on implementing smart devices into their kitchen. Why is this?

“Most people simply don't need them. Their basic needs in the home are already met by conventional technology. Smart devices are based on developers' assumptions about people's behavior patterns, but in reality, people don't live in a scenario,” Justin Cornforth, CEO at Ace Home Co., a company specializing in home system management, shared with Cybernews.

Smart kitchen devices are more expensive than regular kitchen devices. For example, smart fridge prices start from $2000 and can go as high as $5000. Meanwhile, a regular fridge can be found between $500 and $2000. Considering this, some people are not ready to spend money on something they’ll also have to invest their time figuring out how it works.

But even if users find the time to set up the devices, learn how they work, and even create a network where everything works seamlessly, one of the major concerns, as with every device, is privacy.

Smart kitchen devices depend on an internet connection, making users a possible target for hackers.

“So taking these factors into account, many people are simply more comfortable relying on traditional appliances that they can control directly, fearing that automation may not be as reliable or accurate in real-time situations,” concluded Cornforth.

Nevertheless, people are slowly starting to see the advantages of smart kitchen appliances, with more and more using devices such as smart refrigerators or coffee machines.

Smart kitchen appliances are trending. Why?

While people are still getting used to the idea of their kitchen being powered by AI, “many smart kitchen appliances are really gaining popularity because of the benefits they bring rather than potential problems and because they are real time-savers,” says Cornforth.

Among users' favorites are smart refrigerators that can not only store food but also manage one’s consumption habits, ovens that can be controlled through a phone and pre-heated before the user even steps into their home, and coffee machines that can make one’s beverage just the way they like it.

“This greatly simplifies both cooking and managing everything,” says Kye McNeil, Lead Coordinator of The Chill Brothers, noting that voice assistant integration is also becoming “another hip trend.”

While AI-based kitchen appliances may not seem like a necessity right now, the given information shows that with time this technological trend may set in more people’s homes, hopefully, helping to reduce waste and energy consumption.