By: Eric Paeper
Traditionally the kitchen has, among other things served the as a place where we nourish ourselves and our families. It also serves as a place to teach our children how and what to eat. The kitchen of the future will out of necessity evolve into a tool for a healthier lifestyle. With the rate of healthcare costs associated with obesity rising, we as a society will be forced to tackle the epidemic with all of the resources available to us. But let’s face it; the battle is won at the front lines. That line is drawn through the center of the home – the kitchen.
According to the CDC,
“The percentage of young people who are obese has approximately tripled since 1980. In 2003–2006, 16.3% of children and adolescents aged 2–19 years had a body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex on the CDC growth charts.”
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/fact_sheets/obesity.htm
As designers we are responsible for responding to socio-economic conditions. How then will the design of the kitchen of the future respond to the western epidemic of obesity and sedentary lifestyle?
The kitchen of the future will perform the functions that we are increasingly too busy to perform for ourselves and our families. It will serve as personal nutritionist, shopper and Sous Chef. Integrated technology will evaluate and monitor an individual’s nutritional needs based on Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and daily caloric intake and burn. By linking to local suppliers the system will sustainably maintain fresh inventory. It will create recipes and associated shopping lists to fit the needs of the individual. The system will maintain inventory based on nutritional needs and budgetary constraints. Ingredients will be prepared for consumption by automated technology.
While these ideas may sound like something out of a Star Trek episode, we are actually not that far away from this model. For example, BodyMedia offers calorie, activity and sleep management system that speaks to our model. Companies like Whole Foods and Fresh Direct are offering inventory systems online that help you manage your groceries.
General Electric is already looking at the development of our model. Their Kitchen of the Future team has developed a prototype of the idea. In their model, a modular “Interconnected Suite” uses predictive calculations to coordinate interconnected appliances and communication devices. Your refrigerator can call you to tell you what to pick up for dinner based on what you already have behind its doors. While G.E. has seemingly overlooked the problem of obesity in their research and development, it is not a far reach to incorporate some of the aforementioned technology into this model.
So, what are we looking at? A kitchen that tells you what to eat and when, knows what your favorite foods are, knows what’s in the fridge and what you need and strongly encourages you to eat your veggies and go outside and play! Sound familiar? As technology becomes an increasingly integrated part of our lives, perhaps we are asking it to be Mum. But I don’t care what they say. No amount of predictive calculating can match my Mother’s icy glare when there are peas and carrots left on my plate.
Traditionally the kitchen has, among other things served the as a place where we nourish ourselves and our families. It also serves as a place to teach our children how and what to eat. The kitchen of the future will out of necessity evolve into a tool for a healthier lifestyle. With the rate of healthcare costs associated with obesity rising, we as a society will be forced to tackle the epidemic with all of the resources available to us. But let’s face it; the battle is won at the front lines. That line is drawn through the center of the home – the kitchen.
According to the CDC,
“The percentage of young people who are obese has approximately tripled since 1980. In 2003–2006, 16.3% of children and adolescents aged 2–19 years had a body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex on the CDC growth charts.”
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/fact_sheets/obesity.htm
As designers we are responsible for responding to socio-economic conditions. How then will the design of the kitchen of the future respond to the western epidemic of obesity and sedentary lifestyle?
The kitchen of the future will perform the functions that we are increasingly too busy to perform for ourselves and our families. It will serve as personal nutritionist, shopper and Sous Chef. Integrated technology will evaluate and monitor an individual’s nutritional needs based on Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and daily caloric intake and burn. By linking to local suppliers the system will sustainably maintain fresh inventory. It will create recipes and associated shopping lists to fit the needs of the individual. The system will maintain inventory based on nutritional needs and budgetary constraints. Ingredients will be prepared for consumption by automated technology.
While these ideas may sound like something out of a Star Trek episode, we are actually not that far away from this model. For example, BodyMedia offers calorie, activity and sleep management system that speaks to our model. Companies like Whole Foods and Fresh Direct are offering inventory systems online that help you manage your groceries.
General Electric is already looking at the development of our model. Their Kitchen of the Future team has developed a prototype of the idea. In their model, a modular “Interconnected Suite” uses predictive calculations to coordinate interconnected appliances and communication devices. Your refrigerator can call you to tell you what to pick up for dinner based on what you already have behind its doors. While G.E. has seemingly overlooked the problem of obesity in their research and development, it is not a far reach to incorporate some of the aforementioned technology into this model.
So, what are we looking at? A kitchen that tells you what to eat and when, knows what your favorite foods are, knows what’s in the fridge and what you need and strongly encourages you to eat your veggies and go outside and play! Sound familiar? As technology becomes an increasingly integrated part of our lives, perhaps we are asking it to be Mum. But I don’t care what they say. No amount of predictive calculating can match my Mother’s icy glare when there are peas and carrots left on my plate.
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