CLEAN LIFESTYLE The
CLEAN LIFESTYLE The development in smart products across the cleaning category is undeniably extensive, and a number of innovations are being debuted IFA. Smart and connected products in such diverse sectors as home laundry, dishwashing and floor cleaning, make the mundane jobs easier and are ideal for busy consumer lifestyles. Market research company IHS Technology has predicted that the smart connected home appliance market will jump to more than 220 units in 2020 – from a base a low as one million units in 2014. On the Bosch and Siemens stands, BSH Home Appliances is showing the latest innovations to its Home Connect platform, which enables consumers to use specially designed apps to integrate with their smart appliances. Bosch says the main focus of the display is a smart house: a connected house of the future showcasing what can already be achieved today with Bosch. As the replacement market is driving business across Europe, BSH hopes to see more traction with connected appliances replacing older appliances as more retailers have the chance to understand and refine their knowledge about them. The introduction of smart home technologies is sure to raise the bar overall and serve a market segment that is growing rapidly. Within its home laundry offering, Miele’s TwinDos technology takes the guesswork out of detergent levels. What’s more, when detergent levels in the cartridges are low, the TwinDos system automatically relays this information to a smartphone or tablet, with an option to re-order the cartridges. Miele’s new W1 washing machine has a 9kg capacity, has an A+++ energy rating and also features PowerWash 2.0, for a more efficient wash, which Miele said, will not compromise speed. Bosch’s smart automatic dosing system, i-Dos, is no longer confined to Series 8 appliances and the Home Professional premium category, but can also now be found in Series 6 washing machines. BSH said that its i-Dos intelligent dosing system can save up to 11 litres of detergent every year, thanks to the sensors which detect exactly how much each load needs. In Hall 9, Hoover Candy is showing Wizard, its Wi-Fi connected range, as well as One Touch, the company’s new NFC-enabled washing machine. The company said it is placing a “strong focus” on connectivity after investing in R&D in this area. Hoover Candy is also showing a brand new washer design featuring Wi-Fi connectivity and new fabric detection technology. Robotic vacuum cleaners are another example of a connected appliance. The latest generation of robotic cleaners are controlled by apps, which enable the user to schedule their robot to clean the house. For consumers, it’s a choice they make to run a vacuum cleaner around the home – robotic cleaners take that perceived hassle away for consumers, many of which are cash rich, but time poor. Across Europe, robotic cleaning is one of the two fastest growing categories in floor care and is a product that cannot be effectively demonstrated online. US firm iRobot is exhibiting at IFA on a stand that is solely focused on the robotic cleaning sector. The company’s latest robotic vacuum model, iRobot Roomba 980, which is billed as its most advanced robot yet. As products become smarter and increasingly more connected, the home is the next place where smart technology can make a difference. For the first time, technology that was once the preserve of the few is opening up to anyone with a smartphone. At IFA, a new Smart Home exhibition is located in Hall 6.2 – more than 40 exhibitors from 15 countries are presenting their latest products and services across 3,000 sq m Smart & Connected IFA 2016 - more than ever the global centre of innovations in cleaning appliances www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Saturday 3 th & Sunday 4 th September 2016 35
