CONSUMER LIFESTYLE
CONSUMER LIFESTYLE MEDISANA LEVERAGES COINNOVATION TO BRING A HOME CARE ROBOT TO THE MARKET Marco Getz Managing Director, Medisana GmbH IFA senior management continue to sing the praises of what they term coinnovation, and proof of the concept comes with news from Medisana that they are bringing a new “home care” robot to the market thanks to a new joint venture. Marco Getz, the new Managing Director of Medisana GmbH, presented the new robot in a world premiere at the Innovations Media Briefing in Berlin this summer. The device is the fruit of a joint venture between China-based Medisana and an Israeli engineering firm, coupled with input from the German office. “We put in a lot of our resources and know-how, especially in terms of medical measurements and medical devices,” says Getz, adding, “We are connecting the robot STRONGER TOGETHER – HISENSE AND GORENJE – TWO BRANDS WITH A UNIQUE CONNECTION SNEAK with our normal devices, for such things as blood pressure, blood sugar, or scales, so that the user has permanent control of their vital parameters.” Getz explains that the company that originally designed this product did so primarily for defence purposes: “It was made to detect bombs. It therefore had a very smooth and reliable navigation system, which has been used to make our own robot in combination with our know-how in medical devices and medical measurements.” As Medisana’s major business is in Europe, the company is starting its rollout in this territory, with further rollout coming as the robot gets ‘life lessons’: “We have to Hisense H65U8B TV learn about the robot, as this is the first generation. It has to develop its own intelligence step-by-step, so we don’t want to make a global rollout straight away. A second stage will see a roll-out in Asia and the US,” says Getz. According to Medisana’s German boss, feedback from journalists has been enthusiastic: “They are saying this is one of the real innovations they are seeing at the IFA preview, because it is new, it is unique, and of course a lot of people are talking about robots, but we are showing a real working model. We will roll out the product in Q4 this year, so it is real. Therefore, the journalists are impressed about our performance and our development” Hall 6.1 Stand 103 In a strategic partnership since only fall 2018 Hisense and Gorenje showed a united front at the Innovations Media Briefing with Julian Lietzau, Marketing Director of Gorenje and Uwe Paul, Commercial Director of Hisense. Hisense, founded in 1969 in China, is one of the leading manufacturers of flat screen TVs and household appliances. The Slovenian Gorenje Group, founded in 1950, counts among the leading home appliance manufacturers with customers from 90 countries. “Since our partnership was formed, our two companies have been working together to create and optimise our products,” said Lietzau. “We are two companies with our own unique strengths, and it is very exciting to bring these strengths together in one entity. We have combined the potential of both firms, and this has given us a great deal of positive energy. Our common aim is to create quality, affordable hitech and lifestyle products.” Paul said that by 2020 there will be a range of household appliances that will combine and reflect the two companies’ unique aspects. Highlights include the Hisense H65U8B 65-inch TV, which features Dolby vision, USB recording and a built-in subwoofer. The slick design, said Paul, appeals to European taste. He also emphasised the growing market for Laser TV in Europe, which he said is often overlooked, yet has all the features of a normal TV. Hisense is working fast to incorporate the growing range of apps relevant to Smart TV into their TVs. The apps incorporate quick search functions for video on demand, one touch access and voice control via ALEXA. Another highlight includes the Gorenje washing machines and dryers that now offer a steam programme, named Steamtech. Julian Lietzau explained that steam in washing programmes was now popular for a number of reasons, among them the ability to kill bacteria in clothing without any chemicals, but also eliminated the need to iron clothes Hall 6.2 Stand 201 32
CONSUMER LIFESTYLE PEEK THREE BRANDS IN ONE Daniel Wild, Director of Marketing and Communications for Haier, announced new strategy and products at the IFA Innovations Media Briefing in Berlin, as Haier is becoming a “tri-brand” name: absorbing Candy and Hoover. “The XL Slim Size fridge, with its range of 15 appliances with features such as four doors, is my personal highlight of Haier’s 2019 innovations,” enthused Wild. “ It’s convenient size, fitting between many diverse dimensions of countertops and other appliances adds so much value to the home.” Candy draws on its long Italian tradition of good design and achieved a world first: developing nine short washing programmes. Snap&Wash technology allows the user to take a photograph of the washing and the machine will determine the most appropriate programme. Hoover’s 2019 innovations focus on wellbeing and sustainability. The H-Keepheat 700 cooks food slowly and is the world’s first oven to conserve food at a constant temperature of 63°C. The MyChef Tefal OptiGrill Elite Steffen Henssler app displays hob status and step-by-step recipes. As for washing products, the Axi Silent Drum dryer reduces noise by 10dB and can be voice-controlled. Hoover’s Handstick vacuum range is influenced by homes getting smaller and an increase in allergies and pet ownership. Haier’s Duo Laundry Centre, with its two drums, simultaneously carries out any two options from drying, washing, and refreshing. Haier’s top-loaders have an antibacterial coating and a steam function, while its popular Super Drum can both wash and dry and won a Red Dot Design Award in 2017 Hall 3.1 Stand 102 Daniel Wild Director of Marketing and Communications, HAIER during the A nnoation Media Brieng GROUPE SEB FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLY, FLEXIBILITY AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS Krups Cook4Me+ Grameez Groupe SEB have leveraged the Innovations Media Briefing in Berlin to announce a roadmap to “design products that reflect sustainability, flexibility and individual needs. Looking to the future, where it is estimated over 80% of the population will live in cities; space will be limited and kitchens smaller.” “I am happy to be able to tell you that we have had a 7.8% growth in sales worldwide,” said Astrid Duhamel, Head of Communication and Digital DACH – Groupe SEB. “We have had a big increase in sales in both Austria and Switzerland, and we are the number one product in 11 different categories.” a specific amount of ingredients and through the Cookforme App. Another highlight is the new kitchen machine that enables users to grill meat in its lid. It also incorporates a kitchen scale and allows to prepare food for up to 10 people. longer cable. TEFAL have addressed individual tastes by introducing a grill that features 12 different programmes for grilling meat, and even includes a special one for grilling German sausages. Rowenta addresses the challenge pets create with the Explorer Series vacuum cleaners which features a special turbo brush that sweeps deeper into floor coverings and also captures many allergens The latest KRUPS model, the Multi Cooker C27 actively prevents food wastage by advising what they can cook with One of KRUPS’ truly classic appliances, the legendary 3 MIX celebrates its 60 th anniversary with the addition of a new, Entrance South (left) Stand 101 www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Monday 2 September 2019 33
