Whirlpool Brand Showcases Kitchen of the Future at Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- When Whirlpool brand looks at the kitchen of the future, it keeps consumers' needs at the forefront of product development. One might call it innovation with purpose and it is the backbone of Whirlpool brand's products; the marriage of functional technology with stylish aesthetics. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Jan. 8 – 11 in Las Vegas, Whirlpool brand will showcase how these elements come together in both new products and innovative concepts for the future as part of Whirlpool 20/20: a look ahead.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/NY75862LOGO )

"We innovate to bring simplicity to the lives of those using our products," said Tanu Grewal, senior brand manager, Whirlpool brand. "Whether that's appliances that connect to the grid and keep consumers alerted to the appliance's status or energy usage, or concepts that explore future living trends and pioneering evolutions in design, food and sustainability, we're committed to advancing our technology in ways consumers want and need."

Whirlpool 20/20 also brings the brand's onsite presence to the virtual community. With updates from the show floor, including photos, videos and blogs, those at home can get a glimpse into the goings-on at CES via ces.whirlpool.com  Visitors will also have the chance to win appliances from Whirlpool brand's Ice Collection, which offers a signature design that enhances and simplifies the way people use their appliances. One appliance will be given away each day of CES, and consumers can enter by filling out a short entry form at ces.whirlpool.com.

Innovation for Today

6^th Sense Live™: Whirlpool brand continues its leadership in sustainability with the launch of 6^th Sense Live technology, the company's line of smart appliances. On sale in March, 6^th Sense Live technology allows users to always be connected. And with that peace of mind, they're free to focus on whatever else they want or need to do. Features like Smart Assistant, Smart Stats, Smart Nudges and Smart Alerts enable remote functionality and provide status updates, so users can be confident appliances are running smoothly at home.  And by connecting to the Smart Grid used by select utility companies, these appliances optimize energy usage and track how much energy is being used.

Innovation for the Future

The Fireplace: With the Fireplace concept, the kitchen and living room merge into one with components that are fully adaptable to be the perfect solution to a family gathering, lively social event or a relaxed, intimate evening for two. Using food and fire as the two key elements, it re-centers people in a new heart of the home. By combining a multifunctional cooking table and an air treatment/mood lighting hood, the fireplace is height adjustable and customizable to adapt to different atmospheres through the diffusion of light and scents. In the center of the table, there is a cooking reservoir that emits different frequencies of light to either create a warm atmosphere or cook food at the perfect temperature without burning it. The interaction between the table and the hood makes it possible to detect food and create an ideal cooking setting for each kind of food and the intelligent surface works in combination with the smart accessories to detect temperatures through sensors.

CoolVox™: Bring entertainment into the kitchen with the CoolVox™ refrigerator concept. Enabled by Bluetooth® wireless technology, the CoolVox™ refrigerator lets users play music through the refrigerator directly from an app on smart- or Bluetooth®- enabled devices. Now consumers can listen to instructional "How to Cook" podcasts directly through the refrigerator, play fun/entertaining music while cooking with the kids and even throw  a dinner party and assign specific playlists to each course.

FreshConnect: In step with the trends of fluid living and social responsibility, Whirlpool presents the FreshConnect concept – a true fresh food experience. A series of specialized accessories connected by a central cooling system housed in the lobby of an apartment complex or within a home could provide the right temperature and humidity level to connected bread and fruit baskets, wine chillers, herbariums and specialized cooling boxes to easily keep meat and dairy fresh and concealed. The accessories and cooling boxes are plugged into a docking station that is connected to a central cooling system that regulates temperature and humidity inside the containers and the cooling system can be utilized by several apartments in the same building.

Art Gallery Collection Hoods: Kitchen design customization has never been so easy. This concept offers a range of hood panels with original graphic themes to fit the modern style, for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere every day. The collection is easily installed and adds an affordable sense of style to any kitchen.

Whirlpool @ CES

Whirlpool will be showcasing these products and concepts at our booth in the Mommy Tech Zone:

The Venetian, Level 2, Venetian Ballroom
Mommy Tech Zone
Booth #70915

About Whirlpool brand
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2011, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. Whirlpool brand recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity and efficiency in the home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on consumer insight, Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. For more information on Whirlpool brand please visit www.whirlpool.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whirlpool. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool brand