What is a Smart Appliance (in simple terms)

As we further navigate into the 21st century, we have already witnessed so many changes in technology and its advancement that everything nowadays is labeled “smart”. In this article, I will be walking you through what is a smart appliance and why it is called a smart appliance.

And at the end of this article, we should be able to understand what are the current and existing smart home appliances that are available under the SDA and MDA categories.

Let’s jump in!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word SMART?

  • Smartphone, Smart TV, Smartwatch, Smart Car, Smart Home, Smart Living, Smart City, Smart A** (it’s not what you think- Smart APP), Smart Appliance, and so on.

The list could go on, however, we’re not going to do that as there are too many of them including “smart people”. We’re just going to discuss what is a smart appliance so let’s just leave it that way.

Definition of SMART according to the dictionary (of a device)- programmed so as to be capable of some independent action.

Recognized first SMART device (a bit of Trivia)

In 1992, IBM invented the first smart device, code name Angler.

And in 1994, BellSouth Cellular Corp introduced the first smartphone that was developed by IBM and called Simon.

Where are we now 28 years after the first “smartphone” was introduced? You bet, everything is becoming and connected to be SMART.

And with the arrival of 5G technology, we’re headed to seeing more futuristic devices and equipment imaginable.

Did you know that some countries are already testing 6G technology? Yeah, sure. To some, it is called a 10-year plan. So we can expect or don't be surprised as we approach the year 2030 that more unusual inventions will surface.

How a Smart Appliance is made?

Okay, we have just defined what does the word “smart” means. We also made a quick review of the first smart device. Now, let’s find out how smart appliances are planned and made.

There are three main components for the smart appliance to be realized.

  • Client/Customer
    • The client is the one who will buy and market the smart appliance. Generally, it is the client that will be responsible for the incurred expenses in software development.
    • will collaborate with the smart app developer on what type of product will be developed.
    • communicate with the manufacturer for selected product and design that will be developed as a smart appliance.
    • evaluation and approval of development and prototype samples.
    • final decision to launch mass production.
    • approves and release of shipment that goes to the market (for our consumption)

  • Smart App developer
    • The app developer is the one who will provide the chip, firmware, and smart application services.
    • collaborate with the client at the initial stages mapping out what design and application will be developed.
    • collaborate with the manufacturer for implementation.
    • update firmware as necessary to meet clients demand.
    • app developer cannot disclose clients design to other customers.

  • Manufacturer
    • The manufacturer is the one who will produce the product.
    • collaborate with the client at the initial stages of development.
    • agrees on the terms with the client (client’s selected product design can’t or shouldn’t be offered to other customers).
    • responsible to prepare development and proto-type samples.
    • after clients’ approval to mass-produce, the manufacturer is responsible to prepare all the materials for the launching.
      • the microchip that will be installed in the appliance is normally supplied by the smart app developer.
    • the manufacturer is responsible and must adhere to the agreed quality and delivery.
    • provide aftersales service.
What is smart appliance - development flow
Business Development Flow
This is the basic flow of how smart appliance is planned and developed. This only applies to new products and designs that a client has initiated.

What is IoT

We have already discussed the fundamentals, now it’s time for us to touch on the smart platform as it is associated with the smart appliances. We are only going to define what is IoT to have basic understanding.

IoT is a broad and complex subject, I don’t want us to get confused. So. let’s just focus on its simplest meaning.

  • Internet of Things or IoT (in simple terms)
    • refers to the shared network of linked devices and the technology that process communication between devices and the internet, as well as the communication between the devices themselves.
  • What you need for IoT
    • WiFi
    • Bluetooth
    • Smartphone (with installed valid app to serve as User Interface)
    • Smart Appliance
    • Smart Home
    • and so on….

What is a smart appliance - IoT
Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Voice (command) integration to IoT
    • Many smart devices are now can be controlled thru voice commands. That is made possible by the creation of AI digital assistant that are now becoming the trend.
    • you could create voice and gestures command to control all smart devices in your home such as turning the lights ON and OFF, listen to your favorite music, ask your vacuum robot to start cleaning, and so on.

  • List of existing (AI) Digital Assistant that responds to voice command
    • Siri (by Apple)
    • Alexa (by Amazon)
    • Google Assistant (by Google)
    • Others (there are many others AI digital/voice assistants)

IoT platform is necessary for smart appliances to get connected and be controlled and monitored anywhere in your home. And in this instance, the role of the smart app provider in designing the software is very crucial. 

Let’s define what is a Smart Appliance

It is called a smart appliance if:

  • it can be connected to a hub (a smartphone app).
  • be able to be controlled remotely (via smartphone).
  • or can operate on its own.

These actions are all based on the input the sensors detected from devices like temperature, light levels, gestures, or activity.

What are the current Smart Appliances under SDA category

Finally, we’re here! We will now indentify the current or existing small domestic appliances that are smart appliances.

Smart Cooking Appliances

Smart Air Fryer

What is a smart appliance - air fryer

Viable Features:

Recipe storage: Support multi-language, cloud
storage recipes

Recipe upload: Support upload customized recipe

Recipe operation: Support cloud recipe one-key/step-by-step cooking

General advantages: App control, UI failure warning,
App message push, intelligent scene linkage, cloud
timing control

Voice control: Support Amazon Alexa and Google
Assistant

Smart Sous Vide

What is a smart appliance - sous vide

Viable Features:

Recipe view: Support to view cloud recipes

Recipe operation: Support step-by-step cooking

History record: Support for query of cooking history

Message reminder: Once cooking completed, push a
message reminder

General advantages: App control, UI failure warning,
App message push, intelligent scene linkage, and
cloud timing control

Smart Pressure Cooker

What is a smart appliance - pressure cooker

Viable Features:

Recipe view: Support to view cloud recipes

Recipe operation: Support step-by-step cooking

History record: Support for query of cooking history

General advantages: App control, UI failure warning,
App message push, intelligent scene linkage, and
cloud timing control

Message reminder: Once cooking completed, push a
message reminder

Other Smart small cooking appliance are available such as Rice Cooker, etc. There could be more out there as the smart appliances gets popular, new designs could come out any time.

Smart Food Proocessing/Preparation Appliances

Smart Coffee Maker/Machine

What is a smart appliance - coffee maker

Viable Features:

Intelligent voice: Support voice control of the number of cups and query of working status, etc.

Working status: Support real-time query of working status of
device

General advantages: App control, UI failure warning, App
message push, intelligent scene linkage, and cloud timing
control

Voice control: Support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Smart Electric Kettle

What is a smart appliance - kettle

Viable Features:

Preset boiling water: Support preset boiling water function

Kettle status: Support real-time query of kettle working
status

Heat preservation function: support a variety of heat
preservation modes for different scenarios

General advantages: App control, UI failure warning, App
message push, intelligent scene linkage and cloud timing
control

Voice control: Support Alexa, Google Assistant,

Other Smart small appliance for food processing/preparation are available such as Blender, Bread maker, Kitchen machine, etc. There could be more out there as it gets popular new designs could come out any time.

Floor Care Smart Appliance

Vacuum Robot

What is a smart appliance - vacuum robot

Viable Features:

Map scanning: Display cleaning maps and home environment in real time

Map management: Manage maps of multiple floors

Map editing: Support to customize a cleaning strategy and personalize cleaning

Automatic charging: Provide battery sensing and automatic recharging functions

Cleaning mode: Provide multiple cleaning modes to meet needs in various scenarios

General advantages: App control, UI failure alarm, App message push, intelligent scene linkage and cloud timing control

Voice control: Support voice control including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Personal Care Smart Appliance

Small Kitchen Scale (used for cooking)

What is a smart appliance - small kitchen scale

Viable Features:

Connect and use: Support multiple users to manage
their diet data

Food Bank: Support North American Database

Diet record: Accurate record of daily diet, which can be
checked at any time

Nutrient intake analysis: Recommend nutrient intake
standards based on user information

Goal setting: Users can set daily nutrition intake goals,
and remind users if they exceed the limit

Extra features: Support peeling function, support coffee
brewing ratio

There are also existing smart scales for Personal/Bathroom scale types. Where you can monitor and see your weight thru a smartphone app.

Other Smart Small Domestic Appliances

Smart Air Purifier

What is a smart appliance - air purifier

Viable Features:

Mode switch: Multiple air-net mode switching adaptation
scenarios

Wind speed switch: Adjust the air flow path according to the
wind speed

Sterilization control: Ultraviolet sterilization and purification
without dead ends

Filter life detection: Real-time view of filter life to prevent
secondary pollution

Environmental quality inspection: Real-time display to check
environmental quality

Voice control: Support voice control including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Smart Humidifier

What is a smart appliance - humidifier

Viable Features:

One key switch: App, voice and other ways to switch

Fog control: Support multiple fog mode switching

Sterilization control: Sterilize before humidifying to purify water quality

Environmental test: TVOC, PM2.5 and other environmental
testing

Temperature and humidity control: Accurate detection, human body comfortable temperature and humidity out of fog

Voice control: Support voice control including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Smart Portable Air Cooler/Fans

What is a smart appliance - air cooler/fans appliance

Viable Features:

Remote control: Open, close, gear adjustment, mode,
head shaking, night light, sweep up and down, sweep
left and right, etc.

Time appointment function: Formulate weekly
procedures according to personal habits

Custom mode: Add selling points to the product

Report the working status of the equipment to brand
owners for equipment monitoring

Voice control: Support voice control including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Smart Portable Heating Appliances

What is a smart appliance - heating appliance

Viable Features:

Weekly schedule control: Monday to Sunday

Timer reservation/Countdown, remote preheating in advance

Electric Fireplace: 3D lighting control, a variety of lighting
control switch, flame light control, fire power gear color
switching

Fault alarm, overheating/dumping push message

Remote control: App/voice control, voice access to all
platforms

Scene linkage: Interconnect with sensor scene

Remarks: Features will all depend on the APP and IoT platform developer. Consequently, it will also depend on what the client think is more important because it will affect the price.

What are the current Smart Appliances under MDA category

Gas Hob Auto Linkage

The most common smart design for Major Domestic Appliances (MDA) is the linkage between a Cooker Hood and Gas Hob.

What is a smart appliance - gas hob auto linkage
Auto Linkage Gas Hob

The linkage happens when you ignite the Gas hob to start cooking. Then your Cooker hood will automatically turn ON to start its job. The ON/OFF switch of Gas Hob can also serve as a control to turn ON/OFF the Cooker Hood.

Induction Hob Auto Linkage

Another type of AUTO LINKAGE is between an Induction hob and Cooker Hood. Using the same principle, when the Induction hob is turned ON/OFF the Cooker hood follows automatically.

What is a smart appliance - induction hob auto linkage
Auto Linkage induction Hob

Other Major Household Smart Appliance ranges

  • Refrigerator
  • Oven
  • Microwave
  • Cooker Hoods (designs that respond to hand gestures, and can do self-cleaning)
  • Disinfection cabinet
  • Dishwasher
  • Washing Machine
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Air-Conditioning Unit
Most big brands in the household appliances industry have their solutions for making smart appliances. They have the money and resources for innovation and design that includes their smart appliances!

Conclusion

The smart appliances listed above are a representation that technology is advancing. There could be more out there as customers’ demand for smart appliances is growing rapidly.

Smart appliance is the future. However, it has some negative effects on people’s lifestyles and behavior.

People becoming more separated physically! Became lazier (this is just my own opinion about becoming lazy).

Near, yet so Far!

Smart devices especially smartphones have impacted the way we communicate. You’re in the same house but one would just send text messages instead of approaching the other if we have questions to ask.

You will also find it while eating. Before smart devices, we eat with two hands holding either a knife in one hand or fork on the other. Or a spoon on one hand and fork on another hand.

But nowadays you will see different scenery. You will often find a person holding either a fork, a chopstick, a spoon in one hand, and a smartphone in the other. No more conversing because everybody is busy with their smartphone (sad reality).

Smart Appliances and other smart devices have their advantages. People should utilize more those advantages that these smart appliances provide rather than their disadvantages.

So, there you have it folks, again, thank you for reading. If you find this article helpful or if you have questions and suggestions, please leave them in the comment area. And I will be glad to answer them as soon as I can.

I'm experienced in Quality Control with a working history in the Consumer Electronics and Home Appliance industry. I have created this website to share my gained knowledge and be of help!

4 thoughts on “What is a Smart Appliance (in simple terms)”

  1. Wow, this has been an amazing read with so much valuable information on smart devices. Technology has really moved forward in giant strides. So I was just thinking about the smart phone  and a few other products, but you have opened my eyes to so many applications of smart technology. 

    I specially like the smart device for cleaning floors, as that would save me hours of doing housework. And that is what a lot of the smart technology and devices are doing, saving us time. Thanks for sharing some very smart ideas.

    Reply
    • Thank you for visiting my website. Yes, you’re correct that technology had changed how things are done nowadays.

      Smartphones can take photos, smartwatches can receive and make calls, count your heartbeat, track how many miles you have trekked, and so on. 

      And I think technology will just further advance. We could already see glimpses of what it’s gonna be several years from now.

      About the vacuum robot, yeah it’s a nice cleaning assistant. I have one that I’m using sparingly. For the vacuum robot to perform better, you need to clear obstructions such as chairs, rags, etc. 

      Glad that you found my article helpful.

      Rowe

      Reply
  2. Overwhelming…
    Helpful especially nowadays that technologies are far advanced.
    But me who is used to old school,it will take a lot of patience and endurance to learn these new technique,good thing that I have kids to teach me how?
    Thanks for sharing info at least I’ve got an idea which is which and with that..I bought SMART AIR PURIFIER…yehhhey
    Thanks my genuis friend
    Keep it up

    Reply
    • Hi Imee, Thank you for reading and visiting my website.
      I’m glad you found my article helpful, and congrats on your new Air Purifier.

      An Air Purifier is beneficial especially if you have pets.

      You’re lucky you have techy kids, that would make your smart life a lot easier 🙂

      Rowe

      Reply

Leave a Comment