The vision thing: HomeTech bulges with technology.

Home appliances as multi-media communications centres have jumped from a futuristic world to the present, as refrigerators that shop and microwave ovens that surf the Internet were unveiled at HomeTech Berlin. The show, which closed on 3rd March 2002, appeared to make trade fair history, with nearly all the major global names in the domestic appliance business present at a fair showing the products of 725 exhibitors.

Among those present were Bosch, Siemens, Candy Elettrodomestici, Fagor Electrodomesticos, Gorenje Liebherr-Hausgerate, Merloni Elettrodomestici and Whirlpool Europe. Producers from the components and kitchen furniture industries also displayed, as did smaller manufacturers.

Whirlpool's refrigerator-cum-multimedia centre.

Whirlpool's refrigerator transforms into a multimedia communications centre. The owner can surf the Internet, receive e-mails, listen to the radio, watch TV, videos and DVDs and even talk on the phone.

The director of integrated home solutions at Whirlpool, Arturo Colantuoni Sansevero, pointed out: "the technology is ready. Now we have to get the customer accustomed to it. We will introduce our solutions step by step, to provide a range of 'connected' home appliances and services using truly integrated technology, to bring families closer together and make people's lives easier."

Samsung was more cautious over mastery of "connected technology", explaining that while this is already available, there are several missing links, such as product identification and expanded barcodes, that still have to be perfected.

Large number of impressive ideas

From the evidence of the fair, there are indeed a large number of impressive ideas seeing the light of day. Siemens presented a full range of built-in and free-standing appliances costing around US$909 for network implementation, and another US$1,818 for the mobile pad computer at the heart of the device. These devices should be shipped by the end of 2002, the company said.

Samsung's connected technology.

Refrigerators are tending to become free-standing units on casters, elegant on the exterior and compact within. The better 546-litre side-by-side model typically features a door-in-door beverage bin and ice, and a model at the fair was produced by Samsung. The open-door alarm and electronic temperature controls help save energy. It is definitely an eye-catcher in the kitchen and will retail in Germany at around US$2,818 in stainless steel and US$3,090 in brushed aluminium.

In efforts to combine form and function, manufacturers restricted themselves to the essentials. Producers agreed appliances should not grab attention, but demonstrate their technical capabilities.

The visual appearance is influenced by the material used and choice of colour. Stainless steel and aluminium were often used for surfaces, which can be polished, brushed or even structured. These elements are often found in combination with smoked, clear or satin-finished glass. Aluminium with a special anodised coating makes surfaces scratch-resistant - and that was a popular model.

Controls, such as push-buttons and rotating switches, were unobtrusively housed in front panels for cleanliness.

Daewoo's detergent-free washing machine.

Speaking of hygene, the Midas washing machine from Daewoo Electronics cleans without detergent. It produces ionic water with a pH-value, like soap. The ionic water not only cleans the dirty laundry, but also kills germs. As only water is used, it cuts out the likelihood of skin irritations and allergies, while featuring a laundry capacity of 10 kilograms, with six programmes. Some 4,000 have been sold in South Korea and the company is to introduce it in Europe at a price of approximately US$1,000 in 2002.

Whirlpool launched Dreamspace, its new washing machine, which is to be available on the German market through BIG of Bauknecht. The model certainly changes the ergonomic and spatial capacity of the machine, using an 8 kg drum to ensure fabric care. The design makes it unnecessary for users to bend over, as its pedestal drawer can be used to raise the appliance.

Whirlpool's innovative sensor system - 6th Sense - adjusts washing cycles and water consumption according to the actual load. Beginning from July 2002, Dreamspace will be available at about US$1,454.5, including pedestal.

Clean machines move upmarket

Efficient for larger washes.

In the washing sector, there was Vision HV16 from Candy Hoover, the new machine ready to be connected on the Internet. Its advantage is its user-friendliness, such as its easy-to-load, 15 degrees inclined door and window to check the wash cycle. Although it requires less detergent and water, it achieves much better washing results. The interactive programme selection is extremely easy to use - with just one button - and its liquid crystal display shows the functions and programme status. Available in white or aluminium, it will retail at about US$909.

Samsung's Big Wash series of machines features efficient washing techniques for large items. The new models provide six special programmes tailored to the needs of towels, sheets and blankets. These fully-electronic front-loaders also give excellent results for normal size wash loads as well. Depending on model and colour, the different models will be retailing at between US$545.4 and US$618.8.

Vacuum cleaner from Samsung.

Samsung introduced the world's first interactive robot vacuum cleaner, I-Robo, as a prototype. The company reckons on developing a cleaner that detects the house dust the moment you switch it on and automatically cleans.

The vacuum cleaner will sterilise the dust it collects and not emit any while in use. A built-in digital camera captures what's going on around the appliance and makes itself useful as a security system or baby-sitter. I-Robo is expected to hit the market in about two years.

In the meantime we can benefit from further developments in the sector. The VC-8716 H vacuum cleaner from Samsung eliminates the dust bag. With its "Dual Atrium Cyclone Technology", the air drawn in is not passed through dust already collected, but flows via a separate chamber, while dirt particles are swept into a dust collection bin below.

Ovens, microwaves and chimney hoods get the treatment

Voice sensor chimney hood.

The top of the kitchen menu is occupied by a colourful variety of convenience products, semi-cooked and ready-to-eat meals. Time-saving foods quite naturally call for the kind of preparation that also saves time. For this reason, the new cookers and ovens must manage - more rapidly than ever before - to apply the heat to the food.

Siemen's Quantum Speed utilises high speed light waves and, depending on the dish being cooked, the heating elements with halogen-light support can save up to 69% of cooking time. The oven will be available from July 2002 at up to US$1,118.8.

Finally, a boon for every busy chef. The cook is working at the cooker, with both hands full (as usual). Issue a simple command to the chimney hood, and it will start operating automatically. The Voice Sensor from Siemens can be operated even from a distance of four metres and is priced at about US$1,500.

See more products presented at HomeTech Berlin by clicking "Event Snapshots".

Quick as a flash: Siemen's Quantum Speed cooker.

Daewoo goes for the modern look.

from special correspondent Silvia Fricker, Frankfurt