Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
When I think of smart home and auto technologies, there are key features such as multi-use cooktops; smart tech that connects; high-quality audio; and electric cars that use batteries that top my “dream” list. At CES 2016, I received an exclusive look at Panasonic’s Smart Home of the Tomorrow and other new technologies that showcased how consumers will be able to take advantage of new tech trends. Check out my video tour where I discovered how my dream features will shortly be a reality:
The kitchen is one of the key areas of any home. In the Panasonic Kitchen of Tomorrow, the refrigerator, freezer and oven range are designed in a modern, streamlined design that offers easy accessibility. The design integrates the kitchen into the rest of the surrounding spaces, clearing clutter and making room for kitchen entertaining.
TECH TREND: SMART PANTRY AND SCREENS
The Kitchen also makes use of smart technology, including the Smart Food Pantry, which automatically controls temperature and humidity for specialty items that can be time consuming to make (e.g., cured meats and fish, pizza dough or Kimchi).
Another key trend in kitchens: smart screens. Panasonic demonstrated their Personal Kitchen Screen that seamlessly connects appliances with smart features, such as displaying what’s in the fridge, proposing menus based on ingredients and even showing cooking videos if needed. Understanding what’s in the fridge can reduce food waste that save money and time, which can be especially helpful for big families. It also can track data on family members with home sensors and wearables to offer dietary menu recommendations. When I think of a truly connected world, being able to connect my health data to my kitchen can help support a healthy lifestyle.
TECH TREND: SMART SURFACES
The next smart appliance not only tops my dream kitchen list, but is also part the smart surface tech trend. Panasonic’s Kitchen of Tomorrow features an Induction Cooktop called the Freestyle Induction Hub. This do-it-all cooktop handles pots or pans of any size; only heats where the pan is; can power multiple devices; and can also automatically stir-fry for you!
With smart technology, the Induction Cooktop features a Stirrer that not only measures ingredients but also automatically stirs. You’d be able to efficiently whip up soups or sauces while cooking other dishes (no more standing around and stirring!. There are also no power cords because the Induction Hub powers the Stirrer and the Personal Kitchen Screen, which provides more space to cook and eliminates cord clutter!
Above the Induction Hub is a “smart hood.” This contains camera sensors that keep an eye on the temperature, and built-in cameras that take photos of dishes and keep records of meals, which you can post to social feeds. One of my sons was especially excited about the built-in camera because he loves to cook and wants to start his food blog. Of course, I am very supportive of his cooking ambitions, especially because he now helps me cook meals!
TECH TREND: MULTI-FUNCTION SMART DISPLAYS
When I stopped by the Living Room of Tomorrow section of the Panasonic booth, I was excited to see more streamlined smart technology that fits within the new trend of multi-function smart screens in living areas. The Transparent Display looks like glass, blending into bookshelves with a design that shows off objects behind it. But the screen is more than a sheet of glass; it’s a smart screen that personalizes the living room experience with content such as news, weather, videos and even family photos. The screen can move up to adult height or down to the floor level for children. There are also voice and gesture controls to make using the screen intuitively. We have limited space in our living room so multi-use devices such as the Transparent Display would free up space and add to the design aesthetic.
TECH TREND: LCD PANELS AND ELECTROSTATIC CONTROLS
What kitchen is complete without smart kitchen appliances that utilize the key trend of LCD panels and Electrostatic controls? Panasonic also showed smart cooking products such as a Cyclonic Microwave, High Power Blender, and Gluten Free Bread Maker.
The concept behind the Panasonic Cyclonic Microwave: It has a steady stream of cooking power which helps even out cooking (cold spots, be gone!). Traditional microwaves pulse on and off, which can heat up food unevenly. It also has an Electrostatic glass touch panel. The Chef at the booth explained that you can even cook a turkey in that microwave!
The Panasonic High Power Blender boasts electrostatic controls; blue LED speed dial; ten speeds; and six preset menus to cook hot or cold foods, from soups to smoothies. The Ice Jacket keeps drinks cold while you’re entertaining. Also coming out in 2016/2017 is a new food processor and mini chopper with the same electrostatic touch panel.
The Gluten Free Bread Maker has a 13-hour timer and eight buttons to make different types of bread, including gluten-free and even pizza dough. This bread maker can make gluten-free breads because it can control temperature and timing. There is also a compartment to add extra ingredients such as raisins. The Cyclonic Microwave was a CEA Innovation Honoree, and both the Gluten Free Bread Maker and High Power Blender have the Good Housekeeping Seal.
All of these smart home technologies will help me streamline the process of providing healthy meals for my family and make entertaining fun and easy.
TECH TRENDS: INTERNET OF THINGS
At CES 2106, Panasonic announced a flexible software platform called ORA that enables integration of smart living experiences. “Panasonic defines the Smart Home as one that has lighting, heating, cameras, motion sensors, and smart appliances all tied to one, a powerful software platform that enables customized managed experiences,” said Panasonic President Julie Bauer. “Our new Smart Home Innovation ORA is a platform capable of integrating them all – regardless of their own operating system – into a smart living experience, you can operate on a mobile device from anywhere in the world.”
Panasonic also announced it will provide smart city technologies to Denver, Colorado. “This exciting, new partnership between Panasonic, the city and other Denver entities will connect people to the city services they need through real-time information and technology,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “That real-time information will work to enhance Denver services while creating more equity, freedom and access to choices that will allow our community as a whole to live better, easier lives.”
TECH TREND: ALL IN ONE AND RETRO AUDIO
Panasonic was named a CES 2016 Awards Honoree for their OTTAVA SCC500 HiFi System in the High Performance Home Audio/Video Product Category. “With a SU-C501 CD Stereo amplifier, powerful OTTAVA speakers and high-resolution audio support, the new all-in-one system offers a compact design and impressive audio quality. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 27 product categories.”
Panasonic also showed their Technics Technics 50th anniversary limited edition Grand Class SL-1200GAE and non-limited Grand Class SL-1200G Turntable systems to support the consumer interest in using Vinyl records (called the “Vinyl Revival”). “Direct drive turntable systems have been beloved by HiFi enthusiasts since their birth in 1972. However, one problem that direct-drive systems have always faced was sound quality degradation caused by ‘cogging’, or tiny vibrations of the motor and rotational speed fluctuations. However, by combining the knowledge and expertise gained as the originator of direct-drive turntable systems with a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor without iron core, this ‘cogging’ can be eliminated. Any potential minute motor vibrations are suppressed even further by high-precision rotary positioning sensors guided by a microprocessor controlled system; a feature unique to the new Technics turntable. Furthermore, a twin rotator construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque and also limits minute vibration during rotation making it possible to reproduce the warm sound and subtle nuances of musical expression engraved in the analogue record grooves and craved for by vinyl lovers.”
TECH TREND: AUTO TECH
Panasonic Automotive provides both infotainment systems and automotive battery technology. Here are some of the auto technology they showcased at CES 2016:
- The new 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid equipped with lithium-ion battery technology and, for the first time, SYNC® 3.
- Panasonic Automotive collaborated with eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner on the ELS Studio Premium Audio sound system that will debut in the 2017 Acura NSX.
- Panasonic’s cylindrical Li-ion Battery Cells power Tesla’s Model S!
I found so many smart tech inspirations in The Panasonic CES 2016 Booth, and I can’t wait to try them in my own home. Which home or auto tech trends are you most looking forward to?
Note: Photos for this post were taken with my personal camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
For more information on Panasonic Smart Home Technology, check out their website, Twitter, Facebook and CES2016 Microsite.
Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post. All of my words are my own.
