Report on 'Milano Design Week · EuroCucina 2024'
AI Features Set New Standard in Kitchen Appliances
#. When an onion is placed in the refrigerator, the AI camera located at the top center recognizes the ingredient. A popup window appears on the 32-inch touchscreen mounted on the exterior, guiding the new ingredient. After checking the ingredient list through the screen, the storage period is set. Ingredients nearing their expiration date can be notified without opening the refrigerator door.
At the officially opened 'Milan Design Week · EuroCucina 2024' on the 16th (local time), Samsung Electronics' AI appliances showcased a completely renewed kitchen. AI appliances equipped with large displays were connected and controlled freely anywhere in the home through SmartThings, creating a convenient kitchen environment. LG Electronics also focused on providing a better cooking experience through AI appliances. Global appliance companies such as Bosch, Whirlpool, and Haier exhibited products aligned with AI appliance trends, targeting the European market. AI functions seem to have established themselves as a new standard in the kitchen appliance category.
On the 16th (local time) at EuroCucina 2024 held in Milan, the 'Bespoke AI Family Hub' refrigerator equipped with Samsung Electronics' 'AI Vision Inside' technology was showcased. [Photo by Han Yeju]
Samsung Emphasizes Connected Ecosystem with 'Screen Everywhere'
Samsung Electronics, which set up the second largest booth of 964㎡ (about 292 pyeong) after Bosch among participating companies at the EuroCucina exhibition located at Milano Rho Fiera, unveiled a large number of 2024 model Bespoke AI and premium built-in new products.
On this day, Samsung once again emphasized its so-called 'Screen Everywhere' strategy, equipping appliances with large displays to connect and control various products inside the home.
In particular, the kitchen space was connected through the 'Bespoke AI Family Hub' refrigerator equipped with 'AI Vision Inside' technology and the 'Anyplace Induction' with a 7-inch touchscreen-based AI home, and combined with the 'Bespoke AI Combo' washer-dryer in the laundry room, demonstrating a multi-device experience that allows easy control of appliances anywhere in the home.
On the 16th (local time) at EuroCucina 2024 held in Milan, the Samsung Electronics 'Anyplace Induction' was showcased. Photo by Han Yeju
Among them, the Anyplace Induction, which is first released in Europe, attracted many visitors' attention. It features a flat square-shaped sheet coil that allows cooking anywhere on the cooktop without boundaries between burners, enabling 154% more space utilization compared to conventional 4-burner induction cooktops.
The 'Built-in Wide (Wide) BMF (top refrigerator, bottom freezer) refrigerator' released in Europe this month is a key product targeting the European built-in market. It is Samsung Electronics' first wide model in the built-in refrigerator lineup, with an internal capacity of 389ℓ, 91ℓ larger than the previous model, reflecting the trend of Italian consumers whose demand for wide built-in models is increasing.
Through SmartThings, users can check the location, status, and energy consumption of devices in each space at a glance on a 3D map generated based on the actual house structure, and control power on/off directly from the screen. Also, by using Bixby, when users give voice commands, various surrounding devices recognize and relay them to other devices. When a large-scale language model (LLM)-based generative AI is introduced to Bixby within the year, natural voice control as if conversing with a person will become possible.
Samsung Food also enriched the kitchen experience with AI technology. With just one photo of food, it recognizes ingredients, finds similar recipes, and allows ordering necessary ingredients directly from the Bespoke AI Family Hub.
Jieun Jung, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics' DA (Digital Appliances) Business Division present at the site, emphasized, "While most companies participating in this exhibition arranged appliances and furniture in a traditional way, Samsung differentiated itself by emphasizing AI and connectivity."
On the 16th (local time) at EuroCucina 2024 in Milan, the new 24-inch Signature Kitchen Suite oven by LG Electronics featuring 'Gourmet AI' was showcased. [Photo by Han Yeju]
LG Electronics Bets on Ultra-Premium Products with AI
LG Electronics also introduced a new lineup of ultra-premium built-in appliances, 'Signature Kitchen Suite,' with enhanced AI functions.
On this day, LG Electronics unveiled for the first time the 'Signature Kitchen Suite Free Zone Induction (36-inch),' which allows cooking anywhere on the induction cooktop regardless of the position of the cookware. This product's strength lies in the 'Boiling Alarm' function, where AI detects and predicts the boiling state of food to prevent water, soup, or sauce from overflowing. It automatically adjusts the temperature by sensing the temperature of the cookware. It also has an automatic tracking function that recognizes the material of the pot and previous heating intensity even if the pot is moved during cooking, allowing the cooking to continue with the existing settings.
The new 'Signature Kitchen Suite Oven (24-inch)' equipped with 'Gourmet AI' was also introduced. The oven's internal AI camera identifies ingredients, recommends over 130 different recipes, and suggests optimized settings. Users could check the cooking process in real-time and capture videos and photos through the LG ThinQ application.
An LG Electronics official explained, "We plan to strengthen our position in the European built-in market by providing differentiated customer experiences with significantly enhanced AI functions that resonate with customers in the new Signature Kitchen Suite lineup and expanding customer choices with a more detailed product portfolio."
On the 16th (local time) at EuroCucina 2024 held in Milan, the 'Bionic Cook' exhibited by the Chinese company Haier. Photo by Han Yeju
Bosch, Whirlpool, and Haier Showcase AI-Evolved Kitchen Appliances
Not only domestic but also foreign appliance companies exhibited kitchen appliances evolved to a new level with AI. The overall intention was to provide smartness based on AI and new conveniences targeting the European market by empathizing with customers.
German premium appliance brand Bosch introduced the new oven lineup 'Series 8' with next-generation interfaces. Equipped with a rotary digital control ring, this product's strength lies in easy control through a high-resolution touch display. Cooking selection was also possible via voice control using Amazon Alexa or the Home Connect app.
American largest appliance company Whirlpool attracted attention by unveiling the 'Heat Control Induction,' which adjusts heating power by detecting temperature changes.
Chinese company Haier also introduced 'Bionic Cook,' a function that recognizes ingredients through cameras and provides recipe and cooking setting adjustments, as well as application alarms.
An industry insider explained, "(This year's exhibition) highlighted the spread of AI appliance trends led by Korean brands such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics," adding, "(Global companies') smart connectivity and AI functions still seem to be in the early stages."
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