April 2019 ertonline.co.uk


Beko’s new AutoDose connected dishwasher


appliances easier to use and control, but it also saves time, particularly when used in conjunction with digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home. “So, essentially, voice-assist technology ‘future-


proofs’ any purchase. As more people are expected to buy into it in other areas of their lives, having it as an option on home appliances means they can use their model for years to come. “From a retailer perspective, it’s a great way to encourage purchases and upsell models too, but it’s important for sales staff to understand how the technology can help people in the home and add value to their daily routines.” Since Hoover Candy launched one of the


UK’s first collections of smart appliances in 2015, technology has really moved on, with things like tap-to-connect, wireless, remote-control- style connectivity and, most recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI). Consumers are also beginning to be more comfortable with voice commands, thanks to Siri and Alexa, so manufacturers are


The Next6 Instaview refrigerator from LG


incorporating this function into their latest models. Adds Mr Macdonald: “Simply being able to tell a washing machine to run a wash cycle or activating the programme from an app on a smartphone without having to get up and do it by hand, can be a lifesaver after a tiring day. “Technology can scare some people, but it’s


driving innovation nowadays and providing access to a world of opportunity.”


“If retailers can create a home- style space that is familiar to customers, they are more likely to relate to the environment and imagine how these appliances would look and work inside their homes.”


Darren Petersen, LG UK


“Alexa, do the washing up” After dinner comes the dreaded task of clearing up the kitchen. There is no doubt that this was markedly improved with the invention of the dishwasher, but now, Beko has launched one of Europe’s first AutoDose Connected Dishwashers. This means the consumer no longer needs to refill the detergent with every wash, just fill up once and it lasts for up to one month. Wi-Fi connected, using the brand’s HomeWhiz


app on an Android or iOS device, the dishwasher allows the consumer to receive helpful updates; for example, it notifies users when salt needs replenishing or when the filter needs cleaning. Most notably, in response to one of 2019’s hottest


The G7360SCVi dishwasher from Miele


smart trends, this new dishwasher can be operated and monitored from Alexa-enabled devices. It replenishes the consumer’s detergent automatically through the HomeWhiz app with either Amazon’s Dash Replenishment System (DRS) or Finish 365, adding another level of convenience to this solution.


Hoover’s AXI washing machine


Elsewhere, appliances from Miele that can be connected to Amazon’s Alexa system include its range of cooker hoods, and its new G7000 dishwashers, launching mid-April, which can be switched on and programmed by Alexa. “Voice control is very much an integral part of appliance smart solutions, but relies on the backup of strong applications and appliance hardware,” Max McCormick, Product Manager for Kitchens at Miele GB, tells ERT. “We look forward to an exciting launch this summer where voice control will offer new experiences and new capabilities.” Mr McCormick adds that live, in-store product demonstrations can be a great way to display solutions and engage with prospective customers, helping them to feel confident with their purchases. Darren Petersen, Head of Product Marketing


and Partnerships, LG UK, agrees, commenting that in order to showcase the functionalities of voice control and clearly show how a smart connected eco-system of products can work together, demonstrations are crucial. “If retailers can create a home-style space that is


familiar to customers, they are more likely to relate to the environment and imagine how these appliances would look and work inside their homes.” The practicality of voice control, particularly for


smart kitchens, is playing a big role in its adoption across the home; people are increasingly looking for the next piece of technology which will help streamline their lives. The XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 Smart Display from LG, for example, which launched during CES earlier this year, gives users a hands-free way to read and search for recipes while cooking. In addition, the Smart InstaView refrigerator is embedded with an array of features provided by Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service so users can create a shopping list, search for obscure ingredients and check the weather via voice control. He concludes: “Using conversational voice


control, consumers can enjoy a smarter, connected experience, creating a greater drive to grow the sector to meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers.”


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