Insights + interviews
IFA: Upcoming Developments For Home Technology
The Active Age attended the IFA Global Press Conference 2015 and found out about some upcoming developments for home technology.
Building the future in health technology with Bernd Laudahn, MD for Philips GmbH Market D/A/CH
Philips recently split up as a company to form two businesses dealing in Healthtech and Lighting Solutions. The Healthtech business unit is looking to tackle the increasing need for healthcare by populations that are growing older, with the objective of engaging consumers on their individual health journeys. They look to do so by placing an emphasis on the health of the population and focus on quality and cost of care.
Philips also sees an increasing use of big data to provide connected solutions for the health technology sector. There will be increased collaboration between healthcare professionals, institutions and care providers. These groups will merge expertise between the medical and consumer sector and centre solutions around a systemic health approach.
Starting from the home environment, Philips will provide home appliances that can take care of situations from better nutrition to cleaner air and even dental care. They currently promote healthier means of cooking with the Philips Airfryer (sans the use of oil); cleaner air via the Philips 2-in-1 air purifier; practising good dental habits with the Philips Sonicare Airfloss and building well-being through the Philips PulseRelief.
At the event, Philips demonstrated a product – currently under pilot with Allianz Worldwide Partners – that looks to tackle back pain through consistent usage. With regular usage, the product encourages a systemic reaction by improving blood circulation in the upper or lower back to reduce long term back pain. It is connected to an application that provides tips on how to manage the pain and will suggest additional steps to better manage the condition.
[Editor’s note: Chronic back pain is a problem many people suffer from. Philips is looking to tackle this from the individual consumer’s perspective while employing their brand’s global strength in teaming up with a service provider that can reach more people through their employer organisations.]
Grundig celebrates 70 years in 2015 with Murat Sahin, CEO, Grundig
Established in 1945, Grundig has been involved with innovation across diverse product groups such as radio, television, visual displays, stereo systems, projectors, DVB receivers, internet box, music players and white goods such as refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines. This is one of the brands with a product for every room in the home. The brand carries over 500 different home appliances across multiple categories.
At the event, the CEO of Grundig, Murat Sahin shared his insights about usability being key to Grundig’s future success. He then walked the audience through a new system they are developing called the Virtual Reality Experience that is centred around products that will not require a dedicated display area. With their system, most surfaces can be converted into a virtual display.
During the walk through, they showed how a virtual controller projected onto a surface just in front of an induction stove top-oven combination can be used in a kitchen environment. This virtual controller helped with functions such as cooking time, temperature control and lightning and was used to control a cooking stove, hob and oven.
The heart of the modern living room with Marc Harmsen, Global Marketing Lead & Product Management Europe and Russia, TP Vision
Consumers are enjoying an integrated TV experience covering broadcast and video-on-demand streaming content as well as gaming. Philips TV in collaboration with TP Vision will launch over 38 new products in 2015 with over 80 percent of them to be powered by the Android Lollipop operating system.
Over the years, Philips TV realised that nearly 90 percent of these smart TVs are connected to the internet through the home network. These TVs serve as a central entertainment hub for the home and gives consumers choice of content, internet connectivity and ease of use in the living room.
For those looking to play video games through their smart TVs, they can play game titles made available through partnerships with Electronic Arts and Gameloft. These games can be accessed through an app available on the TV. There are over 200+ titles available through a cloud gaming option or, the more traditional download model if consumers prefer.
IFA is the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances and will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Expo Center City) from 4 to 9 September 2015.
Read about GfK’s insights shared at the IFA Global Press Conference here.
