Homes are becoming increasingly connected and smart devices have become an integral part of day to day life. As a result, consumers are expecting and demanding even greater convenience and impact from their devices, according to Aryballe CEO, Sam Guilaumé.
Aryballe combines biochemical sensors, advanced optics and machine learning to collect, display and analyse odor data for companies to make better decisions.
“Retailers have taken note of this growing trend, offering customers a greater variety of appliances that feature the latest connected technology. While smart devices like thermostats and light bulbs have become more popular in recent years, kitchen appliances have not received as much attention,” he told Appliance Retailer.
In Guilaumé’s opinion, a potential reason for this is that kitchen appliances are a “once-in-a-decade” type of purchase and only the most tech-savvy consumers are likely to grasp how a smart fridge or oven could simplify daily life.
“At Aryballe, we are working to bridge that gap in consumer awareness by offering retailers a potential new stream of smart kitchen appliances that harness the power of digital olfaction – the digital capturing and production of aromas,” he said.
“We are digitising odor through a unique combination of biochemical sensors, advanced optics and machine learning (ML) to accurately collect, measure and identify odors to help industries and consumers make better decisions.
“Similar to the human sense of smell, digital olfaction mimics the process by which our brains identify and differentiate between odors by capturing odor signatures for display and analysis via software.”
But how can digital olfaction revolutionise kitchen appliances and how can retailers make the average consumer care?
“Digital olfaction gives brands and retailers in the kitchen appliance space the opportunity to expand upon the capabilities of their product offerings with new features that have a real impact on the daily lives of consumers and resolve real world challenges. For instance, every consumer has a refrigerator, but few consumers know how their refrigerator could help them cook more efficiently and reduce food waste. Digital olfaction can do just this through its ability to detect and measure changes in the odor of the food to inform consumers when their products are ripening or spoiling,” he said.
“Aside from detecting when meat or produce has gone bad, digital olfaction can also create a more seamless grocery shopping experience. When connected with odor data, shopping list apps can help consumers pick out ingredients that go well with what they have at home, or even try out a new recipe.
“These types of use cases add real and quantifiable value to consumers through time saved, reduced food waste and the creation of a more enjoyable kitchen experience. Ultimately, as consumers increasingly look for devices that make their lives easier, a smart fridge with digital olfaction technology could be the next step in a fully connected smart home. It presents an opportunity to transform life in the kitchen as we know it, and we have only scratched the surface.”