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Smart Fridge Is Your New Recipe Card
The Smart Fridge here is for those who have shunted cooking to a hobby and rely more on designer microwave meals. The idea is to give you a fridge that is intelligent enough to come up with a healthy recipe, depending on what you stock in it. Not only that, it guides you with vocal instructions, spoon by spoon, till you dish out the perfect-wholesome meal. A touch interface door glams up the appliance, creating the desire to own a piece that’s futuristic but may not be what you’re looking for!
Designer: Ashley Legg
166 Comments »
igazbin says
Ridiculous. Tomorrow’s throw away. Don’t cook much? Get a 1.7 cu.ft. fridge for under $100.
Sparky says
if the tech that would be required for this thing to actually work came into existence i think it’d be a great product
heydumbass says
this technology does exist,,,
hey there mr muslim says
hey i dont think that what he meant.
wellthen says
affordablity for regular citizens doesn't exist
heydumbass says
this technology does exist,,,
hey there mr muslim says
hey dumbass i dont think that what he meant.
wellthen says
affordablity for regular citizens doesn't exist
Bri says
I think the tech already does exist. Look at drinkmixer.com You put in what you have and then it tells you all the cocktails you can make with what you have. Same concept, and we're constantly upgrading our touch screen technology. touchscreen phones, iPad, touch screen kiosks, etc. This might not be too far off….
Bri says
I think the tech already does exist. Look at drinkmixer.com You put in what you have and then it tells you all the cocktails you can make with what you have. Same concept, and we're constantly upgrading our touch screen technology. touchscreen phones, iPad, touch screen kiosks, etc. This might not be too far off….
Karen Kelly says
They had me up until “input your food”. I “input” my food by putting it in the refrigerator, I’m not going to stand there and do a bunch of data entry to tell it what I just put in there. Would I have to select from a list? What if what I had wasn’t in the list, I could input it anyway but it wouldn’t be able to do anything with it, right?
Also, I don’t necessarily want my refrigerator telling me what to do. Next thing you know it’s telling me I should eat more vegetables or drink less beer. I should, but that’s none of my appliances’ business.
Sandy says
A very unnecessary appliance. Would cost way too much money for the average household to afford!!! If I bought this appliance I wouldn’t have enough money to put any food in it!!
Park says
Perhaps instead of inputting your food manually, it could have a receipt scanner – problem solved.
Athena says
Failing that Park RFID could be used. I have heard that companies are considering putting it in supermarket food packaging so if it has gone out of date or if for example a frozen product has been left out to defrost the RFID tag can record this and refuse to allow customers to purchase it at the counter.
guest says
They do this with RFID tags already, at least at stores like walmart.
They have got it so If you take an object off of a shelf and run through checkout as fast as physically possible, and leave, buy the time you have left the premises, It has placed an order for a new product to replace the old in the storage rooms.
guest says
They do this with RFID tags already, at least at stores like walmart.
They have got it so If you take an object off of a shelf and run through checkout as fast as physically possible, and leave, buy the time you have left the premises, It has placed an order for a new product to replace the old in the storage rooms.
Paige says
It only tells you if you ask. It's not your new diet consultant. It's for that moment when you realize you didn't have anything planned for dinner, cause you work, and so does your husband, and you just don't want to have to think about dinner too. And the shopping isn't done 'cause of your busy schedule, but you know you have groceries. You ask your fridge and it gives you a healthy option to whip up for your family. What's wrong with that?
And as far as inputting data, the time it will save you later, not to mention the money on wasted food that you wouldn't have to lose, I'm gonna guess would make up for it.
Paige says
It only tells you if you ask. It's not your new diet consultant. It's for that moment when you realize you didn't have anything planned for dinner, cause you work, and so does your husband, and you just don't want to have to think about dinner too. And the shopping isn't done 'cause of your busy schedule, but you know you have groceries. You ask your fridge and it gives you a healthy option to whip up for your family. What's wrong with that?
And as far as inputting data, the time it will save you later, not to mention the money on wasted food that you wouldn't have to lose, I'm gonna guess would make up for it.
ives says
ditto
ives says
ditto
jimbo says
time WAISTER ! It sounds good but all the time spent inputing data and requesting meal etc could be better used.If you have a recipe its not hard to look if you have ingrediaents.
what would be great is if it would give list of meals that could be made with what u have and then select from there .
In the future if your fridge breaks down u starve.
bekahlu says
"what would be great is if it would give list of meals that could be made with what u have and then select from there."
don't you read? that's exactly what it said it would do!! all you have to do is type in what you put in it, which HONESTLY would probably take no more than 5 minutes, and then voila, it can tell you what you can make with those ingredients.
smart invention. probably not even remotely afforable within the next several decades though….
bekahlu says
oh, but then again, it would definitely be a pain to have to constantly update it depending on what you eat that day and stuff.
bekahlu says
“what would be great is if it would give list of meals that could be made with what u have and then select from there.”
don't you read? that's exactly what it said it would do!! all you have to do is type in what you put in it, which HONESTLY would probably take no more than 5 minutes, and then voila, it can tell you what you can make with those ingredients.
smart invention. probably not even remotely afforable within the next several decades though….
bekahlu says
oh, but then again, it would definitely be a pain to have to constantly update it depending on what you eat that day and stuff.
Bobby says
What a clever concept! Now does it do your shopping too? :->
quantumgenius says
nah, you get to do that online and have it delivered…:P I do… I hate..HATE being in stores…too many monsters running around unattended by their parents…not to mention the pram parade with more screaming monsters inside them. meh…easier to just order what you want and have it delivered!
Zenofire says
If you could hook up your grocery order to the fridge then you wouldn't need to input the data! It could have a list of all the foods you bought and put it on a waitlist sort of menu. Then when the food is delivered you put the food away and press one button to add the waitlist to your fridge's inventory.
quantumgenius says
nah, you get to do that online and have it delivered…:P I do… I hate..HATE being in stores…too many monsters running around unattended by their parents…not to mention the pram parade with more screaming monsters inside them. meh…easier to just order what you want and have it delivered!
Zenofire says
If you could hook up your grocery order to the fridge then you wouldn't need to input the data! It could have a list of all the foods you bought and put it on a waitlist sort of menu. Then when the food is delivered you put the food away and press one button to add the waitlist to your fridge's inventory.
Vasil Velchev says
Cool!
Jehanlos Roman says
It’d be great to add a barcode scanner for inputing food. That would streamline the process a bunch. For fruits and meats, you can select from a list…Damn but not all my groceries. Barcode ftw, hopefuly the database can relate them to there general type to….So if i scan peter pan peanut butter, it just says i have peanut butter so it can be compatible with a larger range of recipes, than just recipes including exactly “Peter Pan’s Butter”
CIA spook says
They have them in Conneticut. I mean, like , at stores. they just scan the food as you put it into the cart, and then you just bring it up to the manual checkout thing, and put the scanner into this slot where a computer is, and then it takes the money off your credit card, and voila! The first time I went there, my jaw dropped.
On topic, I think that it's way too costly. Like Sand said, I wouldn't have enough money to buy groceries. I suppose it'd be cool to have, if you didn't have to imput your groceries…
hmm. I don't like AI. Too untrustworthy. Yeah, unless it was the new standard fridge, I don't think I'd buy it.
CIA spook says
They have them in Conneticut. I mean, like , at stores. they just scan the food as you put it into the cart, and then you just bring it up to the manual checkout thing, and put the scanner into this slot where a computer is, and then it takes the money off your credit card, and voila! The first time I went there, my jaw dropped.
On topic, I think that it's way too costly. Like Sand said, I wouldn't have enough money to buy groceries. I suppose it'd be cool to have, if you didn't have to imput your groceries…
hmm. I don't like AI. Too untrustworthy. Yeah, unless it was the new standard fridge, I don't think I'd buy it.
Margot says
A talking fridge would drive me batty.
Gerardo Marina says
What about using shopper from google apps, scan groceries by picture or barcode, then just sync to thw fridge to tell you what might be rotten or what can you cook with what you have
Ashley Legg says
Hi Gerardo
Thanks for your comment. The whole inputting food business is still a hole in the idea. Using a mobile device like a phone is a nice idea!
Thanks again,
Ashley
MC says
omg I thought of this thing when I was a kid… cept I used the receipt that the grocery gives you to scan in the products. Mine also would say what you would be missing to create a recipe of your choice and would print out shopping lists.
T Wu says
Like others, I thought this was an automated iron chef. Imagine if it had an internet connection, and could do automatic searches for recipes based on the ingredients that are still in the fridge. It could pull up a bunch of recipes for say, 1/2 qt milk, 2 eggs, a hunk of cheese, and some day old parsley. ‘Course, if you can’t figure out what to do with that, you’re better off saving your money and spending $30 for Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything, or equivalent.
And, as others have said, it’ll take too much time to update what food you have. That may be automated some day with RFIDs on food packaging. And I’m sure someone WILL connect the fridge to the internet, and you’ll get ads in your house on your fridge based on the food you have. No thanks.
However, here’s a suggestion for the designer. How about energy savings? Turns out the fridge tends to be the #1 energy hog in the house. Now, new Energy Star fridges really do use less energy. But there’s also a role for behavior. Turns out a full fridge or freezer uses less energy than an empty one. Our freezer is half empty, and we fill the space with jugs of water, which freeze into ice. Result: we use less energy, and we have water and “coolth” in case of an emergency.
Maybe a fridge can be designed with a device that shows how much energy it needs, and that also shows what to do in order to minimize that energy usage- like open it less, or add something like a bottle of water or two). I don’t know- something that alters the user’s behavior in order to minimize energy use. Just a thought.
gettafreebie says
The manual entry of new shopping would eventually drive me mad, much like loading the dishwasher
I think Smart Fridge II should have automated online re-ordering and a built in teleporter .. it would be great then
Nick says
the look of a see through fridge door is nice when your groceries are few and well organized, but most peoples’ refrigerators are not. The thought of the inside of my fridge becoming part of my kitchen decor would drive me mad.
Claus Wahlers says
Imagine if all food packaging and wrapping had RFID tags. Equip fridge with RFID scanner and all trays with weight sensors. As soon as i put something in, it scans the RFID tag, knows what it is that i put into it, figures out the net weight of the product, and voila.
This would also solve the issue what to do when you get a bottle of milk out, drink a glass, and put the bottle back in. It would update the net weight and always know how much you have left.
Then, connect the software to the web services of nearby grocery stores.
But please dont bother me with having to “input food”. I rather spend my money on a year’s supply of home order pizza than on a fridge like that. Yuck.
Chris says
You have enough picture recognition software to do food recognition, i..e. integrate a webcam like type of interface that will capture your food entry.
BTW, some do already integrate in iPAD in your fridge door, that allow you to take away the ipad with the food to follow the recipe and re-use all the connectivity from the web to simplify it.
Anyhow, I like the design and the idea of the the transparent display. That can be turned into a “green” compatible device, in order to avoid opening the fridge to pick&choose your stuff.
Pedro A. says
Ashley Legg, i have an simple ideia to solve the problem with input
the fridge could be devide in modules. each module would have a balance. so, the only thing you need to do is say to the fridge, only one time, what you put in each module. for exemple: if you usually have cheese, you just need to say to the fridge where you put it. if the balance do not record weight, that means you dont have cheese.
and better: if you have only 200g chesse, the fridge will not sugest a recipe that needs 500g chesse.
and of course, you could change the information of what you put in each module any time
Pedro A. says
and one more thing:
with that solution, the fridge could do a list with the things you need to buy next time you go to the market, and tell you when the things are close to end
Ashley Legg says
Hi Pedro,
Your suggestion sounds by far the easiest. I work in a computer company and i like the idea to keep things low tech when possible.
I guess i’m going to spend some more weekends in the office to work things out.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Ashley
Tom says
Classic example of someone getting excited with a render package then investing a use for the thing they have spent hours making look pretty.
The technology is ill suited for the application. Perhaps an OLED screen would be more appropriate as a touch interface. Why does it need to be transparent by the way. Are many fridges now-a-days?
Entering the ingredients yourself would be time consuming and most uders wouldnt bother, bearing in mind this is crucial to you actually selling this product I doubt many would subscribe to the idea.
Sorry.
Think before you hit CAD next time
Max says
Why not just use RFID tags to identify what items you have put in the refrigerator?
Paul W says
YES! YES! YES!
EXCESS! EXCESS! EXCESS!
You don’t need it but you would happily buy it!!!
CIA spook says
Do you need an anthropomorphic car with a monkey chauffeur in the city? No. Do you want it? Definitely.
CIA spook says
Do you need an anthropomorphic car with a monkey chauffeur in the city? No. Do you want it? Definitely.
po's says
i think the idea is awsome, but i agree with Karen Kelly, i mean, there has to be an easy way to put all the info, or just simplify it…the barcode lector its a great idea…
po's says
i think the idea is awsome, but i agree with Karen Kelly, i mean, there has to be an easy way to put all the info, or just simplify it…the barcode lector its a great idea…
po's says
although, are you sure that is viable? how often you have to give maintenance?
po's says
although, are you sure that is viable? how often you have to give maintenance?
John says
The tech exists to make this possible, the only drawbacks are you have to input your food (at least until packages start carrying RFID tags) and when its made its going to be ridiculously expensive
Kesha says
Being a mom, this would definitly be nice for those days when mom doesn’t know what to cook.
Natalie Sharp says
Would make more sense if the thing kept track of expiration dates in the food.
Janna says
This is the stupidest thing I’ve seen all day.
Jens says
So everytime I bought some new food, I have to register it for my fridge? LAME…
a cook says
This is a very nice design study, but really people, ain’t it better to learn how to cook? This automatically will help you keeping track of your fridge content. And do you really want your household devices to blather all the time???
No really …
But nevertheless nice graphic and concept
Miltank says
Sounds like a pretty cool concept but what about when you want something from the fridge without making a recipe?
You’d not only have to track the input but the output as well, wouldn’t you?
The barcode idea sounds great.
Nonetheless, I’d love to have one of these, just to say I have one.
Simon says
How much does it cost?
Simon says
How much does it cost?
Gabe says
I work with children and adolescents with autism and other pervasive developmental disabilities, and an appliance like this could do wonders for increasing independent life skills!
Gabe says
I work with children and adolescents with autism and other pervasive developmental disabilities, and an appliance like this could do wonders for increasing independent life skills!
guest says
BLUH BLUH BLUH! I'M TOO LAZY TO PRESS BUTTONS ABOUT MY FOOD!
Dude, you guys are not considering the possible applications of a refrigerator that tracks the food you have available, even past the recipe idea. It would be a very easy way to store information, at a glance, for grocery lists… It would keep track of what you used when you used it.
And dude, in an age when everybody seems to subsist on fast food, having a device in your kitchen that stores recipes and is able to give verbal commands on how to make them… Basically, it's like finding a cooking show online, except that rather than having to search for it, find someplace to balance a laptop, and work with ingredients very near valuable technology, the fridge is right there, doesn't need to be moved or messed with… It's convenient. Very very convenient.
I am so sick and tired of every good idea on this website being insulted by lazy pessimistic idiots.
Anonymous says
Because walking ten feet to the left to look up a recipe on your ACTUAL computer, that's not lazy – that's innovative.
guest says
BLUH BLUH BLUH! I'M TOO LAZY TO PRESS BUTTONS ABOUT MY FOOD!
Dude, you guys are not considering the possible applications of a refrigerator that tracks the food you have available, even past the recipe idea. It would be a very easy way to store information, at a glance, for grocery lists… It would keep track of what you used when you used it.
And dude, in an age when everybody seems to subsist on fast food, having a device in your kitchen that stores recipes and is able to give verbal commands on how to make them… Basically, it's like finding a cooking show online, except that rather than having to search for it, find someplace to balance a laptop, and work with ingredients very near valuable technology, the fridge is right there, doesn't need to be moved or messed with… It's convenient. Very very convenient.
I am so sick and tired of every good idea on this website being insulted by lazy pessimistic idiots.
Anonymous says
Because walking ten feet to the left to look up a recipe on your ACTUAL computer, that's not lazy – that's innovative.
Any says
I agree. People here suck. I bet you if this is made i could sell a lot of these to people who would love it. And these idiots who don't want it don't need to have it. There are many people who would love it!
Stoycho says
the perfect bachelor fridge for guys that can't cook.
Mike says
Doesn't help the actual SKILL of cooking though…
Stoycho says
the perfect bachelor fridge for guys that can't cook.
Mike says
Doesn't help the actual SKILL of cooking though…
Lissa says
Its an excellent design and I believe it would be a great idea once the bugs are worked out. The recipes would be handy and Im sure there would be a way to quiet it down if you really wanted to! As for not learning the art of cooking, you need to learn to gain skill. This could teach a lot of people how to cook healthier and broaden the horizon for those who can cook.
Lissa says
Its an excellent design and I believe it would be a great idea once the bugs are worked out. The recipes would be handy and Im sure there would be a way to quiet it down if you really wanted to! As for not learning the art of cooking, you need to learn to gain skill. This could teach a lot of people how to cook healthier and broaden the horizon for those who can cook.
eni says
I love the idea, but many recipes call for items that one does not refrigerate, such as flour, pasta, spices, etc. Thus many of the suggested modifications in the comments- and the original design- don't really take this into account. When people shop, they usually divide their groceries into separate bags based on which need refrigeration and which do not. I'm not trying to sound lazy here but I doubt many people will (remember to) input groceries that they are not actually putting into the fridge. Obviously the use of RFID or scanable receipts would probably address this, but still something to think about.
eni says
I love the idea, but many recipes call for items that one does not refrigerate, such as flour, pasta, spices, etc. Thus many of the suggested modifications in the comments- and the original design- don't really take this into account. When people shop, they usually divide their groceries into separate bags based on which need refrigeration and which do not. I'm not trying to sound lazy here but I doubt many people will (remember to) input groceries that they are not actually putting into the fridge. Obviously the use of RFID or scanable receipts would probably address this, but still something to think about.
Pokey says
Why do you even need to walk up to it? You should be able to do the same thing from your smartphone even if you're not in the house.
Pokey says
Why do you even need to walk up to it? You should be able to do the same thing from your smartphone even if you're not in the house.
rainmain says
when you can put your groceries in, then ask it to whip up a meal for you, then we might be on to something. But honestly, do we need another talking appliance? I think people are desperate to utilize touch screen technologies just to give them a reason to exist. Seems to me we've been doing just fine without them for a few million years already.
rainmain says
when you can put your groceries in, then ask it to whip up a meal for you, then we might be on to something. But honestly, do we need another talking appliance? I think people are desperate to utilize touch screen technologies just to give them a reason to exist. Seems to me we've been doing just fine without them for a few million years already.
Jason Frederich says
Add a barcode scanning camera to input food, and have it store a list of recently purchased foods you can select from. That should make adding your foods almost painless.
Jason Frederich says
Add a barcode scanning camera to input food, and have it store a list of recently purchased foods you can select from. That should make adding your foods almost painless.
Justin Smith says
Why stop at just food? I can see this having a multitude of applications that you can either download for free, or purchase. Think of this as a very large, and somewhat specialized Ipad for your diet, and you could have some interesting possibilities.
1. Diet plans: Not sure how much that slice of left over pizza is going to cost your callory count? The fridge will tell you! On a diet and need a little enforcement? The fridge can be a reminder. Mind you, its only useful if you listen, and don't shut it off.
2. Goodbye flimsy magnet-supported pictures, hello digital pictures. Make your fridge match the decor. Have updated facebook photos of the day! Your husband out on business is there to greet you when you get breakfast. Dayplanner right there on the fridge.
3. Why stop at audible directions? Youtube in your kitchen. Want to watch your cooking shows but don't want to install a TV in there or risk your laptop's safety when the food starts flying? Good Eats is right there on the door helping you along.
I see so many possibilities, once you figure out a way past the "Input" food concept.
Justin Smith says
Why stop at just food? I can see this having a multitude of applications that you can either download for free, or purchase. Think of this as a very large, and somewhat specialized Ipad for your diet, and you could have some interesting possibilities.
1. Diet plans: Not sure how much that slice of left over pizza is going to cost your callory count? The fridge will tell you! On a diet and need a little enforcement? The fridge can be a reminder. Mind you, its only useful if you listen, and don't shut it off.
2. Goodbye flimsy magnet-supported pictures, hello digital pictures. Make your fridge match the decor. Have updated facebook photos of the day! Your husband out on business is there to greet you when you get breakfast. Dayplanner right there on the fridge.
3. Why stop at audible directions? Youtube in your kitchen. Want to watch your cooking shows but don't want to install a TV in there or risk your laptop's safety when the food starts flying? Good Eats is right there on the door helping you along.
I see so many possibilities, once you figure out a way past the “Input” food concept.
RwB says
I've visited this website many, many times while using Stumbleupon. com. I've seen some designs for things I would not use, things that didn't need to be improved upon, and things that didn't make any sense at all. That being said, this appliance "upgrade," although carrying a hefty price tag I'm sure, would be great! The RFID scanner would be nice! Weight scales would be handy, as well as smart phone apps to help when shopping and inputing food purchases from the market would "simplify" things. Regardless of all the people stating they don't have the time to stand at their fridge and input the groceries they're puting in it… seriously? You took the time to look at this (my opinion) AWESOME smart appliance idea, scrolling down and reading all of the other people's comments, adding your own. If you have the time to do that, you'd have the time to press a screen and select the menu item that represents the food you're putting in the fridge.
By the way, I too am tired of seeing all the insulting comments, but enjoy the helpful ones.
RwB says
I've visited this website many, many times while using Stumbleupon. com. I've seen some designs for things I would not use, things that didn't need to be improved upon, and things that didn't make any sense at all. That being said, this appliance “upgrade,” although carrying a hefty price tag I'm sure, would be great! The RFID scanner would be nice! Weight scales would be handy, as well as smart phone apps to help when shopping and inputing food purchases from the market would “simplify” things. Regardless of all the people stating they don't have the time to stand at their fridge and input the groceries they're puting in it… seriously? You took the time to look at this (my opinion) AWESOME smart appliance idea, scrolling down and reading all of the other people's comments, adding your own. If you have the time to do that, you'd have the time to press a screen and select the menu item that represents the food you're putting in the fridge.
By the way, I too am tired of seeing all the insulting comments, but enjoy the helpful ones.
aynadan says
Regardless of all the people stating they don't have the time to stand at their fridge and input the groceries they're puting in it…
aynadan says
Regardless of all the people stating they don't have the time to stand at their fridge and input the groceries they're puting in it…
E:W says
Fuck it. I'll buy it.
Porculizator says
The dumbest idea I've ever seen in my life… What a waste of money!
E:W says
Fuck it. I'll buy it.
Porculizator says
The dumbest idea I've ever seen in my life… What a waste of money!
akram says
ooo guess what…may you can connect it to facebook then share what you ate today or share what’s your fridge contains.let your friends see then they’ll press like….hahahahaahah really ridiculous i won’t input “2 kilograms of frozen potato” (if i wrote it wrong the fridge will lock and send the reactivation code to my email).
akram says
ooo guess what…may you can connect it to facebook then share what you ate today or share what’s your fridge contains.let your friends see then they’ll press like….hahahahaahah really ridiculous i won’t input “2 kilograms of frozen potato” (if i wrote it wrong the fridge will lock and send the reactivation code to my email).
guest says
This is a great idea, and I agree– this is definitely do-able in the near future. I wish I had one
asdf says
If you are too lazy to type in the food you bought which would probably take no more than five minutes then maybe it isn't the fridge that's the problem.
asdf says
If you are too lazy to type in the food you bought which would probably take no more than five minutes then maybe it isn't the fridge that's the problem.
sammy says
they need a fridge that gives you cigarettes n vodka. and back massages
Me2 says
I could see it working, but another aspect to look at is that the fridge could tell you when your fruit or vegetables are about to go bad. If you're already logging what food you're putting in, then it should be able to tell you to use the lettuce because its going to go bad in a few days. Or let you know when something has gone bad already, such as the salsa with mold on it. All they would really need to do is calculate the dates something is used, or when its put in the fridge. Then you wouldn't waste as much food by having it go bad. Also, it could keep track of leftovers as well. Just a thought
sammy says
they need a fridge that gives you cigarettes n vodka. and back massages
Graeme says
If only it had a water and ice dispenser on the front… Can it sync with my iphone so I can see what I have/don’t have?
Graeme says
If only it had a water and ice dispenser on the front… Can it sync with my iphone so I can see what I have/don’t have?
Rob Holden says
Hand jamming everything in the fridge would be a pain, have to agree with the other on that. Here is, perhaps, a better way. I'm open to Beta testing it if you like!
Ideally, the 'fridge would be equipped with smart shelves that actually weigh products. Also, the unit should include multiple scanners (in / out) and connect to the Web for data. Local db will always be limited. Anyway, the scanner should scan the product when you put it in the first time, and every time you pull and replace that item.
Now, if the item pops up in the database (say, a 16oz bottle of Mt. Dew) the fridge would identify that it was placed on the third shelf and that it was only half full. It could do this because 16oz of water = 1.03 lbs. I'm not sure if there's a delta for Mt. Dew, but these things could be added / updated over time as well. When I open a jar of Pace Picante sauce and return it half full, one month later the fridge should alert me to the toxic waste that's developing in the fridge. It should also alert me to the sweet pickles I never opened that have been sitting in the back of the fridge for the past eighteen months. (I should probably just tell me to return said pickles before I put them in!)
As products in the fridge are used up, the fridge should build a grocery list and every Saturday morning forward the list to the smartphone application it communicates with so I can quickly get in and out of the grocery store. (Be kind, support iPhone, BB, Droid, etc…no vendor snobbery)
Of course, since my phone has a GPS built in, it would identify local stores and know which grocery stores I have a preferred shopper accounts with. Based on my selection, it would connect to a product layout (database) application that plots the location of all of my items in the store. As an added benefit, each item would be compared against the store brand and competitor brands for price and user reviews, making recommendations available on request. The application would provide a total up front as well, so I can take cash to the store and avoid "deviating from the program" and blowing my budget on Ho-Ho's, Hot Rod magazines and Guinness (unless they're all on the list
)
Regarding recipes, owner should be able to connect to one/any food websites they like, as well as grocery stores that publish recipes on their site. Recipes often include dry and canned goods, so the unit should be able to scan and identify items that are NOT stored inside. Bag of flour, check. Owner hand jams that the flour is on the top shelf of the cupboard next to the stove. Recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, 12 oz milk, two eggs, pinch of salt, whatever whatever whatever, and the fridge tracks it all and alerts the owner when it's time to buy more.
Owner should be able to choose their holidays for special alerts – Christmas, when/where to buy ham, etc, – Ramadan, every time the door opens during the day the fridge breaks out in frantic ululation over breaking the fast – Catholics, don't cheat on Friday, you'll be berated by a nun or Father O'Leary. Whatever.
All of this could be add-ons, and third party interesting stuff. The grocery stores would very likely compete to have this kind of in-house product placement.
So, about that Beta test…
Rob Holden says
Hand jamming everything in the fridge would be a pain, have to agree with the other on that. Here is, perhaps, a better way. I'm open to Beta testing it if you like!
Ideally, the 'fridge would be equipped with smart shelves that actually weigh products. Also, the unit should include multiple scanners (in / out) and connect to the Web for data. Local db will always be limited. Anyway, the scanner should scan the product when you put it in the first time, and every time you pull and replace that item.
Now, if the item pops up in the database (say, a 16oz bottle of Mt. Dew) the fridge would identify that it was placed on the third shelf and that it was only half full. It could do this because 16oz of water = 1.03 lbs. I'm not sure if there's a delta for Mt. Dew, but these things could be added / updated over time as well. When I open a jar of Pace Picante sauce and return it half full, one month later the fridge should alert me to the toxic waste that's developing in the fridge. It should also alert me to the sweet pickles I never opened that have been sitting in the back of the fridge for the past eighteen months. (I should probably just tell me to return said pickles before I put them in!)
As products in the fridge are used up, the fridge should build a grocery list and every Saturday morning forward the list to the smartphone application it communicates with so I can quickly get in and out of the grocery store. (Be kind, support iPhone, BB, Droid, etc…no vendor snobbery)
Of course, since my phone has a GPS built in, it would identify local stores and know which grocery stores I have a preferred shopper accounts with. Based on my selection, it would connect to a product layout (database) application that plots the location of all of my items in the store. As an added benefit, each item would be compared against the store brand and competitor brands for price and user reviews, making recommendations available on request. The application would provide a total up front as well, so I can take cash to the store and avoid “deviating from the program” and blowing my budget on Ho-Ho's, Hot Rod magazines and Guinness (unless they're all on the list
)
Regarding recipes, owner should be able to connect to one/any food websites they like, as well as grocery stores that publish recipes on their site. Recipes often include dry and canned goods, so the unit should be able to scan and identify items that are NOT stored inside. Bag of flour, check. Owner hand jams that the flour is on the top shelf of the cupboard next to the stove. Recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, 12 oz milk, two eggs, pinch of salt, whatever whatever whatever, and the fridge tracks it all and alerts the owner when it's time to buy more.
Owner should be able to choose their holidays for special alerts – Christmas, when/where to buy ham, etc, – Ramadan, every time the door opens during the day the fridge breaks out in frantic ululation over breaking the fast – Catholics, don't cheat on Friday, you'll be berated by a nun or Father O'Leary. Whatever.
All of this could be add-ons, and third party interesting stuff. The grocery stores would very likely compete to have this kind of in-house product placement.
So, about that Beta test…
William says
What about inserting a receipt? The machine could scan it in, and it encourages people to keep their receits.
William says
What about inserting a receipt? The machine could scan it in, and it encourages people to keep their receits.
Leather corner sofa says
A love the idea, just i hope that some one would be determin to make one of these!
Anders says
that would be really fucking expensive
casazaza says
Better hardwire this new fridge unit to the toilet – then we can more accurately determine how much groceries are necessary to purchase compared to the quantity of toilet paper being consumed. When the final piece of the chain gets implemented – as in your bathroom scale data being figured into the equation, we can then determine whether it is a question of getting more beer to offset the intake of bread and other carbs, or perhaps acquiring more high-grade marijuana which will automatically regulate the prospective Cheetos expenditure against intended ice cream purchases.
Ash says
Lets get Apple to pick up this task!
Though expensive, if you knew what food you had in your fridge, if it were bad, or could generate a recipe you haven't thought of to use the food – in the long run it would begin by saving money spent on expired food and eliminate more waste from the environment. Could possibly be a great tool to use for dietary purposes and lets face it.. since America is gaining an even higher obese population, don't we need something like this to help trim down and create alternatives for the overly salty, transfatty frozen foods that we all keep in our freezer!
Lets get this thing rolling!! I'll buy one!!
Heather says
that… is SO FANCY!
xlx007 says
interesting and functional use of fuzzy logic algorithm software combined with sensors/voice integration in electronic appliance!
Tech Logos says
Technology rises up to top level, to see this type of technology that it may helps to consume lots of time, well this fridge is beyond our thinking. Great post.
Exporting as a home business says
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infrared heaters says
You got there some really great ideas. Fridge is fabulous!
Stephen says
hey:
I visit this website regularly but i’ve only just come across this. i too see myself as a product designer/inventor, and i also redesigned a fridge that looked much like yours.
i really like your idea, despite what everyone is saying. i believe that i have ideas i can take from mine to help you as i believe with designing abilities like that of yours, you can go far.
thank you
Stephen
Rebeca says
A scanner like on my smartphone could scan most items you buy and add them to the inventory list along with their nutritional information much like the app “lose it”.
clicking here says
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