Onboard software refers to applications capable of taking and automating task instructions for a single device or appliance – such as when to initiate a given process or function. The use of onboard software capable of scheduling and doing tasks without human involvement has been introduced to many home appliances in the past 5-10 years.
Some examples are automatic vacuum cleaners, robotic pool cleaners, automatic coffee makers, intelligent refrigerators, and even bread makers. Here are some common household appliances that have been incorporating onboard software, and read about the advantages we get from using them.
Robotic Home Appliances Are Quietly Taking Over (In a Good Way)
1. Robotic Pool Cleaners
Now homeowners don’t need to pay pool cleaning companies or leave their filtration systems running all day. Robotic pool cleaners like the Dolphin Nautilus and the Aquabot Pool Rover are designed to clean the swimming pool bottoms, walls, and cloves effectively.
Before entering the home and working on cleaning the inside, the backyard swimming pool is also part of the household responsibilities. Maintaining your pool is time-consuming for any homeowner, but using a robotic pool cleaner can save lots of time.
The chief advantage of onboard software running the robotic pool cleaners is that cleaning is fully automated! The routes are intelligently controlled, so less time is required to clean. And cleaning can be scheduled to happen during specified periods to ensure your pool is always clean but not interrupt your outdoor fun.
So check out the current robotic pool cleaners available online or at your local pool store.
Credit: Leslie’s
2. Washers and Dryers
Unlike traditional washers and dryers that require people to keep an ear out, modern washer-dryer combos are self-directed and fully automated. Intelligent washers have systems that can perform loading, washing, and drying without being monitored.
They also have delay features that can be used to schedule tasks so that they are completed just in time when you arrive home from work, for example. The advantage of these appliances is that tasks are performed in your absence without your oversight.
Different manufacturers produce several intelligent dryers. A good example is the Bosch automatic washer/dryer. It features washer foam detection, safeguards monitoring, aquatronic washing, and begin-wash delay, among other properties. The dryer claims to be more energy-efficient than non-intelligent versions.
Credit: BoschHomeSG
3. Smart Refrigerators
Also known as internet refrigerators, this smart refrigerator may use a barcode recognition system (or RFID scanners) that scan and keep records of items being stored. These smart fridges also keep track of restocking patterns and notify users whenever there is an item that needs replenishing.
Some examples include Samsung’s RH2777AT HomePAD and Zipel e-Diary, LG’s Digital DIOS, GR-D267DTU, and ThinQ LFX31995ST.
Credit: Samsung
4. Robotic Vacuum Cleaners (robot-vacs)
iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner is a good example. These are programmed in-home robotic vacuum cleaners that use a combination of cleaning procedures (UV sterilization, mopping, etc.) and features such as spinning brushes to automatically clean your floors and carpeted surfaces. They can be set to perform cleaning at given time intervals without anyone.
Roomba is a very popular brand with many reviews online for its different models. Robotics vacuums may also incorporate systems like security cameras and intercoms to serve as a watchdog.
Credit:iRobot
5. Outdoor Grills
There are several automated grills and smart concept grills on the market today. These new designs feature software that can access internet databases to identify correct recipes, including cooking methods and timing.
The grills also have preprogrammed systems that eliminate guesswork and use fine recipes to produce the best meal. For example, the Weber Spirit Smart grill allows owners to use a smartphone app and has many other incredible capabilities.
Credit: Weber Grills
Software Enters The Household
A famous Silicon Valley VC once said, “software is eating the world.” Indeed! It’s amazing to see how many computers and software applications are embedded in many products and industries to automate and simplify tasks like never before. And most of this is being done under our noses, with little to no fanfare or media attention.
Software intelligence is increasingly impacting our economy, from information processing to electronics and production.
Incorporating smart applications and onboard software into ordinary home appliances has resulted in more convenience, higher energy efficiency, and improved productivity/performance for many tasks – and we’re just getting started!
