By Claire Reilly
When it was first launched to the global consumer market, it was clear that induction technology represented an exciting and innovative leap forward in cooking appliances. Users could place a pan on a smooth surface and watch as it rapidly heat up, while the cooking surface itself stayed relatively cool.
Flash forward several years and there are now induction cook surfaces on the market that automatically recognise where pans are placed and can be controlled to very accurate temperatures. The technology has also become more accessible as mass production has increased and price points have come down.
But the potential for induction does not stop there.
At IFA this year, Panasonic used its keynote presentation to show off a range of new products and initiatives to trade visitors and press, including the prototype of a new induction hob which will allow consumers to use cordless appliances in the kitchen.
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Giving a demonstration of the exciting new technology was Maik Stahlbock, director appliances group, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Europe. Stahlbock placed a blender on the same induction surface that was being used to heat a saucepan and, using power from the surface, operated the blender.
“The hob will recognise the blender and then power will be transferred,” said Stahlbock. “So if you place the blender on the surface, it works just as if it is plugged in. It’s incredibly easy to use and, despite the fact that it is cordless, the rotation power is as strong as you would expect.
“In terms of practical use, you can imagine blending a batch of soup without having to carry a hot and heavy pot of soup across your kitchen.
"Panasonic’s commitment to innovation is resulting in an exciting new area of technological features, and this is just one example.”
While the tabletop induction hob is in prototype stages at this point, it represents an exciting new leap forward for the appliances world.
Maik Stahlbock gives a demonstration in front of the big screen at IFA, showing a cordless blender powered by an induction surface.
A close up of the prototype induction hob.