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GE Appliances embarked on a quest to explore the kitchen of the future, seeking the benefits of a fully connected kitchen experience that would redefine how we interact with our culinary spaces. This endeavor led to a strategic partnership with Pushstart Creative to create a sleek, multifunctional kitchen island that seamlessly integrates technology into daily cooking rituals.
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To create a kitchen experience that transcends mere functionality, the island needed to be a space where technology, family, and health could merge effortlessly. The surface of the island—a custom oversized touchscreen—enables users to weigh ingredients and features a hidden induction cooktop adorned with smart displays for precise heat adjustment. It also seamlessly connects to shared calendars and recipe hubs to make scheduling and meal planning a breeze.
In bringing the concept to reality, every curve and angle was meticulously crafted from the digital drafting table. Once the island's form, functionality, and aesthetics were perfected, enormous touch displays were sourced and carefully integrated into prototype island frames, and were then ready to be tested at length.
The island's UI is comprised of far more than just buttons and graphics. Its visual design needed to intricately weave with software specifications to ensure the experience delivered on all user requirements—and with technological finesse. Knowing that the island prototype would act as a playground for understanding user behavior, the Pushstart team ensured the system could quickly receive updates as new learnings were discovered, implemented and deployed.
With the connected island serving as a test bed it stood to be a conduit to answering GEA's open questions toward innovating the cooking experience. How did families interact with it? Which features resonated? Which features didn't? These insights would become the compass guiding GEA's product roadmap. And now, those learnings have begun to trickle into available products. From smart fridges to recipe-synced ovens, GEA's innovations are hitting the market with informed decisions backing their strides.
Now, over six years later, these island prototypes continue to be utilized today. One of them even remains a prominent feature in a model home of the future in Florida. Beginning as a program rooted in future thinking, the longevity of the product is a testament to not only its construction but its robust functionality and versatility in the home.
